Mycobacterium flavescens

Etymology

Description

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

Type strain

• Normal human flora, environmental habitat.
• First isolated from a drug treated tuberculous guinea pig.