Mycobacterium conspicuum
# Mycobacterium conspicuum

Mycobacterium conspicuum 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.

## Description

Gram-positive and nonmotile acid-fast coccobacilli. Does not form spores, capsules or aerial hyphae.

Colony characteristics

* Dysgonic and nonphotochromogenic, pale yellow colonies on Löwenstein-Jensen agar.

Physiology

* Slow growth on Löwenstein-Jensen medium at temperatures between 22 °C and 31 °C after 2–3 weeks.
* Susceptible to ethambutol, rifampin, streptomycin, resistant to pyrazinamide.
* Synthesis of α- and keto-mycolates and wax esters.
* no tolerance to 5% NaCl, positive for Tween 80 hydrolysis and for 10-day-arylsulfatase. Negative for production of nicotinic acid, acetamidase, benzamidase, urease, isonicotinamidase, nicotinamidase, pyrazinamidase, succinidamidase, nitrate reductase and tellurite reduction.

## Pathogenesis

Opportunistic pathogen, disseminated mycobacteriosis, Biosafety level 2.

## Type Strain

First isolated from two male HIV infected patients in Germany. Strain 3895/92 = ATCC 700090 = CIP 105165 = DSM 44136.

