Which organism is targeted by tuberculosis (TB) treatment medications such as isoniazid and rifampin?

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an obligate aerobic, acid-fast bacillus. First-line anti-TB drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol) target different aspects of mycobacterial metabolism — isoniazid inhibits mycolic acid synthesis, rifampin inhibits RNA polymerase, pyrazinamide disrupts membrane potential, and ethambutol inhibits arabinosyl transferase enzymes. In dentistry, patients with active TB should not receive elective dental care. Patients with latent TB on prophylactic isoniazid can receive routine dental care with standard precautions.