Mycobacterium flavescens
Mycobacterium flavescens is a species of the phylum Actinomycetota, belonging to the genus Mycobacterium.
Etymology
Its name is derived from the Latin word "flavescens", which means "becoming golden yellow."Description
Gram-positive, nonmotile and acid-fast rods.Colony characteristics
- Rough, yellow-orange scotochromogenic, butyrous colonies.
Physiology
- Slow growth on Löwenstein-Jensen medium at 25-37 °C, but not at 45 °C within 7–10 days.
- Although growth rate is intermediate, metabolic and physiologic properties are more like rapidly growing species.
Differential characteristics
- Serologic specificity demonstrated by immunodiffusion.
- Related to Mycobacterium fortuitum: can be distinguished by its intense pigment production, and its slow rate of growth.
Pathogenesis
Not associated with disease. Biosafety level 2.Type strain
- Normal human flora, environmental habitat.
- First isolated from a drug treated tuberculous guinea pig.