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Tuberculosis Photos

WARNING: Some of these photos might be unsuitable for children. Viewing discretion is advised.

Photos of the Disease

From the Public Health Image Library
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp
This photomicrograph reveals Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria using acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen stain; Magnified 1000X.

This photomicrograph reveals Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria using acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen stain; Magnified 1000X.

This photomicrograph reveals Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria using acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen stain; Magnified 1000X.

This photomicrograph reveals Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria using acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen stain; Magnified 1000X.

Here a Lowenstein-Jensen plate culture has been inoculated with 15 strains of Mycobacteria spp..

Here a Lowenstein-Jensen plate culture has been inoculated with 15 strains of Mycobacteria spp..


A photomicrograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from a sputum specimen, and viewed with Ziehl-Neelsen stain.

A photomicrograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from a sputum specimen, and viewed with Ziehl-Neelsen stain.

Photomicrograph of a sputum sample containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Photomicrograph of a sputum sample containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

M. tuberculosis in a sputum smear is stained using fluorescent auramine with acridine orange counterstain; Mag.-950x.

M. tuberculosis in a sputum smear is stained using fluorescent auramine with acridine orange counterstain; Mag.-950x.


At a magnification of 13172x, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted a number of Gram-positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. As an obligate aerobic organism M. tuberculosis can only survive in an environment containing oxygen. This bacterium ranges in length between 2 - 4µm, and a width between 0.2 - 0.5µm.

At a magnification of 13172x, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted a number of Gram-positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. As an obligate aerobic organism M. tuberculosis can only survive in an environment containing oxygen.

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Images of People Affected by the Disease

From the Public Health Image Library
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp
An anteroposterior X-ray of a patient diagnosed with advanced bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis.

An anteroposterior X-ray of a patient diagnosed with advanced bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis.

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Additional Images & Regulations

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This page last modified on September 11, 2007
Content last reviewed on April 22, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

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