Mycobacterium flavescens
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Actinomycetota
Class:	Actinomycetia
Order:	Mycobacteriales
Family:	Mycobacteriaceae
Genus:	Mycobacterium
Species:	M. flavescens
Binomial name
Mycobacterium flavescens Bojalil et al. 1962, ATCC 14474

Mycobacterium flavescens is a species of the phylum Actinomycetota (Gram-positive bacteria with high guanine and cytosine content, one of the dominant phyla of all bacteria), 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 (Mexico).

Strain ATCC 14474 = CCUG 29041 = CIP 104533 = DSM 43991 = JCM 12274 = NCTC 10271 = NRRL B-4038.