Extra-Pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Extra-pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (EPTB) is a threat and challenge to human health that affects bone, urinary, skin, soft tissues, and lymph nodes. EPTB always comes from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), while there are some patients who have never had any PTB symptoms or (and) evidence of PTB infection. There are a few patients who have EPTB infection from the onset. Additionally, drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (DR-MTB) is a bigger threat to human health. Drug-resistant extra-pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (DR-EPTB) also affects some patients who have never been diagnosed with PTB and have no symptoms of PTB, although these patients are rarely detected due to deficiencies in the methods of detection. MTB is always transmitted through the air, while EPTB is transmitted through some special approaches. There are different detection methods that have their respective advantages and disadvantages. MTB evolves to DR-MTB due to the gene mutations that are mainly caused by the endogenous and exogenous reasons, which are also suitable for EPTB. An in-depth study of the genome of MTB will contribute to advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.