Figure 2From: Theoretical basis for reducing time-lines to the determination of positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures using thymidylate kinase (TMK) assaysA theorized tubercle bacillus growth curve (colonies per unit against time in months). The figure shows the typical S pattern characteristic of the growth of microbes in culture. Note the existence of an initial slow growth phase, followed by an exponential stage and finally a stationary phase.Back to article page