TUBERCULOUS AND NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA IN HUMAN AND ANIMAL INFECTION

Within the genus Mycobacterium (M.) more than 170 different types ofmycobacteria have been identified. In relation to humans, they are divided into threegroups. M. tuberculosis complex, which includes ten species that cause tuberculosisin mammals. The type of M. tuberculosis within M. tuberculosis complex remainsthe major cause of tuberculosis in humans in the world. Except for a long time knownspecies (M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti, M. canetti, M. caprae), new membersof the group have recently been discovered. M. pinnipedii in seals, M. munghi inmongoose, M. orygis in arabian oryx and M. suricattae in the meerkat. The samecauses have been proven in people living nearby. M. leprae is the cause of theleprosy in humans. The disease has been proven in nine banded armadillos (Dasypusnovemcinctus) and represents the natural reservoir of M. leprae. The largest numberof mycobacteria (more than 160 species) belongs to nontuberculous mycobacteria.They are found in the environment, they are very resistant and adapted to growthand development, and to humans and animals are often exposed to them. Someare important potentially pathogenic species and they sometimes cause severepathological processes in humans and animals.