my·co·bac·te·ri·um 
(mī′kō-băk-tîrē-əm)
(mī′kō-băk-tîrē-əm)n. pl. my·co·bac·te·ri·a (-tîrē-ə)
Any of various rod-shaped, aerobic, often pathogenic bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium, including the causative agents of tuberculosis and leprosy.
my′co·bac·teri·al adj.