M. tuberculosis, together with M. bovis, M. africanum and M. microti, form the ‘M. tuberculosis complex ’, which is a group within the genus Mycobacterium.
Koos teiste perekonna Mycobacterium bakteritega moodustavad M. tuberculosis , M. bovis , M. africanum ja M. microti eraldi rühma, nn M. tuberculosis 'e kompleksi.