Mycobacterium flavescens
# Mycobacterium flavescens

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.

