Mycobacterium heckeshornense
# Mycobacterium heckeshornense

Mycobacterium heckeshornense 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, nonmotile and acid-fast rods. Cells are typically rod-shaped, with some coccoid forms.

Colony characteristics Smooth, yellow scotochromogenic colonies appear after 4 weeks of culture.

Physiology

* Slowly growing organism, colonies appear after 4 weeks of growth.
* Able to grow at 37 °C and 45 °C.

Differential characteristics

* The phylogenetic position of this species is within the cluster defined by M. xenopi and M. botniense.
* Key differentiating features are negative tests for arylsulfatase and pyrazinamidase and susceptibility to antimycobacterial drugs.

## Pathogenesis

* Seems to be pathogenic in immunocompetent humans.
* Biosafety level unknown

## Type strain

* The type strain was isolated from human lung by bronchoscopy.

Strain S369 = CCUG 51897 = DSM 44428

