Journal of Spine

Myung-Sang Moon

Publications

• Review Article
  Tubercle Bacilli in Spinal Tuberculosis - Morphology, Cell Wall Features, Behaviour and Drugs
  Author(s): Myung-Sang Moon, Hanlim Moon and Sung-Soo KimMyung-Sang Moon, Hanlim Moon and Sung-Soo Kim
  
  Tubercle bacilli are tiny thin rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile obligate aerobic bacteria measuring 3 μm in length and 0.5 μm in width without pili for adherence and without producing adhesion molecule, and are acid-fast bacilli (AFB) with thick waxy cell wall having poorly developed porins, being present in the planktonic form. Tubercle bacilli are very slowly replicating (12 hours of generation time) only in presence of oxygen. Tuberculosis is a product of war between the host phagocytes and M tuberculosis in tissue. Phagocyte and M tuberculosis have very different cell wall composition, but both have very similar chemical weapons in them for fight and defense. Mycobacterium produces various mycolic acid compounds to form waxy cell wall and to defend it not to be digested by phagocytes, and not to be killed by the antituberculous drugs. Mycobacterium forms granuloma (.. Read More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2165-7939.1000265

  Abstract PDF