Mycobacterium interjectum
# Mycobacterium interjectum

Mycobacterium interjectum 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.

## Name

Etymology: Phylogenetic position between (Latin: interjectum) rapidly and slowly growing mycobacteria.

## Description

Mycobacterium interjectum is Gram-positive, nonmotile and acid-fast rods (0.6-1.0 µm x 0.7-2.0 µm). Filaments (up to 6.0 µm) possible.

### Colony characteristics

Dysgonic, smooth and scotochromogenic colonies (1–2 mm in diameter).

### Physiology

* Slow growth on Löwenstein-Jensen medium at temperatures between 31°C and 37 °C within 3–4 weeks.
* Susceptible to rifampicin.
* Resistant to isoniazid and ethambutol.

Differential characteristics

* Most closely related to M. simiae.
* Phylogenetic position between rapidly and slowly growing mycobacteria.

## Pathogenesis

* Chronic lymphadenitis
* Biosafety level 2

## Type strain

* First isolated from a lymph node of a child with chronic lymphadenitis in Germany.

Strain 4185/92 = ATCC 51457 = CCUG 37514 = DSM 44064

