Final answer:
To kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a long-term combination of antibiotics is required. Diagnosing TB involves using special acid-fast staining techniques. Treatments must be completed as prescribed to prevent the development and spread of drug-resistant strains of the bacterium.
Step-by-step explanation:
Killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), a chronic infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs. To treat tuberculosis, a combination of antibiotics is used over an extended period due to the bacterium's slow growth and the waxy mycolic acid in its cell wall that makes it impervious to many antibiotics. This treatment regimen typically includes drugs such as isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. The development of drug-resistant strains, such as multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), is challenging and requires adherence to proper multidrug protocols to ensure effective treatment.
The presence of M. tuberculosis can be diagnosed through acid-fast bacilli detection, using techniques like the Ziehl-Neelsen stain on sputum smears. However, dealing with TB is difficult due to the risk of spread through inhalation of infected droplets, the necessity for long-term treatment, and the potential for developing drug resistance if patients discontinue treatment prematurely.
An important aspect of controlling the spread of TB is ensuring that patients complete their full course of prescribed antibiotics, even after the relief of symptoms, to fully eradicate the bacterial infection and prevent recurrence.