👉 'Acariform' is a medical term that describes the process of bacterial colonization in patients who have tuberculosis (TB) or other mycobacterial infections. It occurs when mycobacteria penetrate into the lungs or bloodstream, causing the growth of bacteria to resist antibiotics and leading to further complications. The word 'acariform' is derived from the Greek 'acari', which refers to a type of parasitic fungus that resembles a wart.