A Mycobacterium bacteria can be killed through the process of:

Mycobacterium bacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are known for their resilient nature and thick cell wall, which makes them more resistant to standard disinfectants. High-level disinfection is a process that is capable of killing all microorganisms, except large numbers of bacterial spores. It typically involves the use of chemical agents at high concentrations or moisture with heat, which is effective against Mycobacterium species.

The importance of choosing high-level disinfection in this context lies in its efficacy to eliminate tougher pathogens that are not effectively addressed by lower levels of disinfection or sterilization techniques. While sterilization can certainly kill Mycobacterium, it is a more intense and resource-demanding process compared to high-level disinfection, which is specifically designed to address heat-sensitive items and complex organic materials effectively.

Low-level disinfection is not sufficient for Mycobacterium due to its incompleteness in addressing organisms with a robust structure like these bacteria. Extended sterilization is not a standard term within the field, as sterilization is conducted according to defined protocols, and extends beyond traditional methods without specific context doesn't enhance the understanding of how Mycobacterium can be neutralized.

Thus, high-level disinfection is correctly identified as the process capable of effectively