Which of the following diseases is directly caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

A Leprosy

B Tuberculosis

C Psittacosis

D Actinomycosis

Solution

Correct Answer: Option B

The disease directly caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is Tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a slow-growing, aerobic, acid-fast bacterium that primarily affects the lungs but can also involve other organs. The infection leads to the formation of granulomas and caseating necrosis, characteristic of tuberculosis. This disease is transmitted via airborne droplets and presents with symptoms such as chronic cough, hemoptysis, weight loss, night sweats, and fever.

- Leprosy is caused by a related but distinct bacterium, *Mycobacterium leprae*.
- Psittacosis is caused by *Chlamydia psittaci*, typically transmitted from birds.
- Actinomycosis is a chronic bacterial infection caused by *Actinomyces* species, which are filamentous bacteria different from Mycobacterium.

Therefore, the correct answer is Tuberculosis.

Reference: Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 28th Edition, Chapter 23: Mycobacteria and Other Acid-Fast Bacilli, Page 445-460

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