Mycobacterium asiaticum

Mycobacterium asiaticum is a slowly growing photochromogenic mycobacterium first isolated from monkeys in 1965. M. asiaticum can, but rarely, causes human pulmonary disease.

Description

Microscopy

Gram-positive, nonmotile, acid-fast, coccoid rods.

Colony characteristics

Dysgonic and yellow photochromogenic colonies.

Physiology

Slow growth on Löwenstein-Jensen medium at 37 °C after 15–21 days.

Differential characteristics

Unique 16S rRNA sequence.
Biochemically M. asiaticum and Mycobacterium gordonae can only be differentiated by the mode of pigmentation.

Pathogenesis

Rarely causes human pulmonary disease.

Type strain

First isolated from monkeys in 1965.
Strain ATCC 25276 = CCUG 29115 = CIP 106809 = DSM 44297 = JCM 6409.