Growth inhibition by thiophene-2-carboxylic hydrazid (T2H) differentiates M. tuberculosis from which Mycobacterium species?

The ability of thiophene-2-carboxylic hydrazide (T2H) to inhibit growth is a crucial factor for differentiating Mycobacterium tuberculosis from other species, particularly Mycobacterium bovis. This differentiation is based on the specific sensitivity of M. tuberculosis to T2H, which does not affect M. bovis in the same manner.

M. bovis, which primarily causes tuberculosis in cattle and can also infect humans, exhibits a different growth response to T2H compared to M. tuberculosis. This characteristic helps microbiologists identify and distinguish between these two Mycobacterium species during laboratory testing and diagnosis. Understanding the selective growth inhibition allows for effective identification and treatment pathways for infections caused by these mycobacteria.

In contrast, the other Mycobacterium species listed—M. avium-intracellulare complex, M. kansasii, and M. marinum—do not show the same level of differentiation with T2H as M. tuberculosis and M. bovis do. While they have their own specific characteristics and sensitivities to various antimicrobial agents, the unique relationship of M. tuberculosis and T2H serves as a key differentiating factor in diagnosing tuberculosis infections.