Cording (mycobacterium)
Encyclopedia
Cording, in mycobacteriology, refers to a tendency of some mycobacterium
(especially M. tuberculosis) to grow end to end, giving them a rope or cord-like appearance when viewed on a stained slide through a microscope. This growth pattern is due to cord factor
, a glycolipid
, and contributes to the virulence of the organism.
Mycobacterium
Mycobacterium is a genus of Actinobacteria, given its own family, the Mycobacteriaceae. The genus includes pathogens known to cause serious diseases in mammals, including tuberculosis and leprosy...
(especially M. tuberculosis) to grow end to end, giving them a rope or cord-like appearance when viewed on a stained slide through a microscope. This growth pattern is due to cord factor
Cord factor
Cord factor refers to lipoarabinomannan, a molecule generated from trehalose dimycolate by virulent strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and closely related species. It is a surface glycolipid which blocks macrophage activation by IFN-γ, induces secretion of TNFα and causes Mycobacterium...
, a glycolipid
Glycolipid
Glycolipids are lipids with a carbohydrate attached. Their role is to provide energy and also serve as markers for cellular recognition.-Metabolism:...
, and contributes to the virulence of the organism.