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In this chapter, geographical distribution of nontuberculous mycobacteria both in clinical and environmental isolates are investigated by analyzing the data performed using geographical information system. The distribution of each reported clinical species is analyzed and compared to environmental samples reported within same period of time.

The main aim of this chapter is to describe the informative steps to diagnose Mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (NTM). Although, the death rate from NTM may not be as high as tuberculosis and lepromatous diseases, it was described that the laboratory work engaged in mycobacteriology should follow the standard classification of methods to detect NTM. The information provided here are the standard protocols recommended by the European Society of Mycobacteriology, the American Society of Microbiology, and the World Health Organization.

This chapter briefly reviews drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The difference of cell wall thickness in M. tuberculosis was demonstrated using atomic and electron micrographs.

This chapter briefly reviews the architecture of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell envelope and the compounds that surround the cytoplasm and protect M. tuberculosis from the environment. In addition, it demonstrates the fine structures that transfer the materials in and out of tubercle bacilli.

This chapter demonstrates the morphology of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The cell was isolated from an in vitro and in vivo model of latency. Atomic force micrographs show the nonacid-fast bacilli.

This chapter briefly reviews the taxonomy and nomenclature in Mycobacterium . Ideally, taxonomy is the scientific way or process to group different living things together. There are three distinct aspects of taxonomy: classification, nomenclature, and identification. Classification is the arrangement of organisms into related groups. Nomenclature is the naming of the populations defined and delineated by the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (ICNB). Identification is the assigning of an unknown strain to a particular taxonomic group. The basic unit in taxonomy is the species. In practice a species is an abstraction that refers to a collection of strains that share many characteristics. In general, a species is an easily recognizable taxon based upon distinctive morphological and physiological characteristics that are described qualitatively rather than quantitatively.

This chapter briefly reviews the variable cell shape in Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The tubercle bacillus does not always manifest itself in the classical rod shape. They can appear as a granular rod, round, Y-, V-, ovoid, and club shapes. These variable shapes can be seen as a marker of virulence, of biological defense against specific immune responses, or of cell division. However, the possible significance of such variant forms with respect to etiology, control, and prognosis of tuberculosis infection is not very clear and needs future investigations.

This chapter briefly reviews the cell division cycle in Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The symmetrical binary fission and unusual type of growth (ie, asymmetrical, budding, and multibranching types of cell divisions) is discussed and presented using atomic and electron micrographs.