The difference between MTB and PTB lies in what they represent: MTB refers to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, while PTB refers to Pulmonary Tuberculosis, which is a type of tuberculosis that specifically affects the lungs.
Essentially:
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MTB ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis ): This is the causative agent – the bacterium responsible for causing tuberculosis. It's the germ itself.
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PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis): This is a specific form of tuberculosis where the lungs are infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Therefore, MTB is the cause, and PTB is a specific manifestation of the disease caused by that bacterium. Tuberculosis can also occur in other parts of the body (extrapulmonary tuberculosis), but PTB is the most common form.
