Comparing the Metabolic Capabilities of Bacteria in the <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Complex

Abstract

Pathogenic mycobacteria are known for their ability to maintain persistent infections in various mammals. The canonical pathogen in this genus is Mycobacterium tuberculosis and this bacterium is particularly successful at surviving and replicating within macrophages. Here, we will highlight the metabolic processes that M. tuberculosis employs during infection in macrophages and compare these findings with what is understood for other pathogens in the M. tuberculosis complex.

Keywords

• <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> complex
• carbon metabolism
• macrophages
• tuberculosis
• cholesterol
• fatty acids