Growth patterns may allow tuberculosis to evade treatment

Researchers have discovered new growth patterns for tuberculosis bacteria that could illuminate the challenges in treating tuberculosis infections.

In a study published in Nature Microbiology, the researchers used time-lapse imaging to examine Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The researchers found that the bacteria exhibited linear growth at the single-cell level that persisted through both acidic and neutral conditions. They identified three growth patterns: bacteria can grow from the old cell pole first, the new cell pole first or both poles simultaneously.

The findings may challenge previously held assumptions about how tuberculosis bacteria grow and inform future drug development strategies.

Read more: Nature Microbiology

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