Abstract
Tuberculosis is one of the grand old diseases and among the top burdened diseases of the world. Most Mycobacteria are environmental saprophytes except Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, which are obligate pathogens. However, several studies indicate that the selection of the pathogens in an ever changing environment do occur by a variety of deletion mutations over time. Mycobacterium tuberculosis might have originated from an environmental ancestor. Some studies even predict that some of the environmental saprophytic mycobacteria may become pathogens in near future because of the selection pressure of the environment. In this context, this article briefly outlines the ecology and evolution of the Mycobacteria.
Highlights
Tuberculosis, a grand old disease, maintains even today, it’s rank as one among the top burdened diseases in the world, whether infectious or non-infectious
Mycobacteria are basically environmental saprophytes and their pathogenic capabilities were selected by environmental challenges
Rarely causing overt infection, these environmental organisms are able to elicit an immune response in man, as it certainly modifies the host response to the subsequent contact with pathogenic mycobacteria and influences the protective effect of BCG [1]
Summary
Tuberculosis, a grand old disease, maintains even today, it’s rank as one among the top burdened diseases in the world, whether infectious or non-infectious. Distribution of saprophytic Mycobacteria is dependent on environmental conditions including soil pH. Rarely causing overt infection, these environmental organisms are able to elicit an immune response in man, as it certainly modifies the host response to the subsequent contact with pathogenic mycobacteria and influences the protective effect of BCG [1].
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