Which bacteria can cause diseases such as influenza and tuberculosis?

Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria that can cause a variety of diseases, including tuberculosis. While influenza is actually caused by a virus rather than bacteria, tuberculosis is a classic example of a disease linked specifically to bacilli, particularly with Mycobacterium tuberculosis being the responsible organism.

In the context of bacteria that cause diseases, bacilli's elongated shape allows them to grow in a way that facilitates the colonization and infection of host tissues. This structure is distinctive compared to other forms of bacteria: cocci are spherical, spirilla are spiral-shaped, and diplococci refer to pairs of spherical bacteria. Understanding the form and function of these bacteria types is crucial in the field of microbiology, especially when considering their pathogenic potential. Bacilli's association with significant infectious diseases highlights their clinical importance in both diagnosis and treatment strategies.