Mycobacterium intermedium
Mycobacterium intermedium is a species of the phylum Actinomycetota, belonging to the genus Mycobacterium.
Etymology: Latin; intermedium, meaning between, rapidly and slowly growing mycobacteria.
Description
Gram-positive, and nonmotile acid-fast coccobacilli.Colony characteristics
Physiology
- Growth on Löwenstein-Jensen medium at 22 °C, 31 °C, 37 °C and 41 °C,, within 2–3 weeks.
- Susceptible to ethambutol and rifampin.
- Resistant to isoniazid and streptomycin.
- Phylogenetic position between rapidly and slowly growing mycobacteria.
- M. asiaticum is phenotypically very similar, but can be distinguished by its growth at 22 °C, and by its dysgonic growth.
Pathogenesis
- Pulmonary disease
- Biosafety level 2
Type strain
- Repeatedly isolated from sputum from a patient with pulmonary disease.