Mycobacterium canettii

Mycobacterium canettii is a rare species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), primarily known for causing tuberculosis in humans. Unlike other members of the MTBC, M. canettii is characterized by smooth colonies, as opposed to the rough colonies typically seen in other mycobacteria.

History

M. canettii was first isolated in 1969 by Georges Canetti, a French bacteriologist, from a patient in Djibouti. Since then, fewer than 100 cases have been reported worldwide, most of them in the Horn of Africa and among individuals with a history of travel to this region.

Characteristics

M. canettii is a slow-growing, acid-fast, rod-shaped bacterium. It is non-motile and does not form spores. The bacterium is characterized by its smooth, glossy colonies, which is a result of the presence of glycolipids on its cell surface. This is in contrast to the rough, dry colonies typically seen in other members of the MTBC.

Pathogenesis

M. canettii causes tuberculosis in a similar manner to other members of the MTBC. The bacterium is transmitted via airborne droplets and primarily infects the lungs, although it can spread to other organs. Infection with M. canettii can lead to both latent and active tuberculosis.

Treatment

Treatment for M. canettii infection is similar to that for other forms of tuberculosis. A combination of antibiotics, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, is typically used. However, some strains of M. canettii have been found to be resistant to standard tuberculosis drugs, making treatment more challenging.

Epidemiology

M. canettii is rare and has been primarily reported in the Horn of Africa and among individuals with a history of travel to this region. However, cases have also been reported in Europe and North America among individuals with no known travel history, suggesting possible person-to-person transmission.

See also

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Tuberculosis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

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