What are the toxic components of Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Mtb releases a variety of virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity and can be considered toxic components. These include cell wall components like mycolic acids and lipoarabinomannan, which can trigger a strong immune response. The bacterial protein ESAT-6, for example, induces apoptosis in host cells, disrupting immune defenses. These factors can be toxic to host tissues and contribute to disease progression.
