Which property of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is thought to determine its destructive effect in the body?
A. Ability to induce delayed hypersensitivity
B. Ability to produce “cord factor”
C. Classical endotoxic activity
D. Classical exotoxic activity
E. Potential for intracellular growth.
The correct answer is E. Potential for intracellular growth.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is able to survive and grow within host cells, particularly macrophages, which are immune cells responsible for engulfing and killing pathogens. This intracellular growth allows M. tuberculosis to:
– Evade the host’s immune response
– Persist in the body for long periods
– Cause chronic inflammation and tissue damage
The other options are not the primary factors determining the destructive effect of M. tuberculosis: