The key difference is that MTB ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is the bacterium that causes TB (tuberculosis), which is the disease.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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MTB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
- Is a bacterium. Specifically, it's a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, facultative aerobic, slow-growing bacterium.
- Is the etiological agent or causative agent of tuberculosis.
- Can exist in a latent (dormant) state within the body without causing active disease.
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TB (Tuberculosis)
- Is the disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Is an infectious disease that typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other parts of the body (extrapulmonary TB).
- Can be active or latent. Active TB means the bacteria are multiplying and causing symptoms, while latent TB means the bacteria are present but not causing symptoms and are not infectious.
In simple terms: MTB is the "germ," and TB is the "illness." Think of it like Salmonella (MTB) causing Salmonellosis (TB).
