Slowly growing Mycobacteria explained

Mycobacteria that form colonies clearly visible to the naked eye in more than 7 days on subculture are termed slow growers.

They can cause disease in humans.^[1]

Nonchromogenic

Rough

• Mycobacterium africanum
• Mycobacterium bovis
• Mycobacterium leprae
• Mycobacterium lacus
• Mycobacterium lepraemurium
• Mycobacterium microti
• Mycobacterium pinnipedii
• Mycobacterium shottsii
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Smooth

• Mycobacterium branderi
• Mycobacterium heidelbergense
• Mycobacterium intracellulare
• Mycobacterium malmoense

Smooth to rough

• Mycobacterium gastri
• Mycobacterium haemophilum

Small and Transparent

• Mycobacterium avium avium
• Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis
• Mycobacterium avium silvaticum
• Mycobacterium genavense
• Mycobacterium montefiorense
• Mycobacterium ulcerans

Photochromogenic

• Mycobacterium intermedium

Yellow and smooth

• Mycobacterium asiaticum
• Mycobacterium marinum

Yellow and rough

• Mycobacterium kansasii

Scotochromogenic

Yellow

• Mycobacterium conspicuum
• Mycobacterium botniense
• Mycobacterium farcinogenes
• Mycobacterium heckeshornense
• Mycobacterium interjectum
• Mycobacterium kubicae
• Mycobacterium lentiflavum
• Mycobacterium nebraskense
• Mycobacterium nebraskense
• Mycobacterium palustre
• Mycobacterium tusciae

Yellow-Orange

• Mycobacterium cookii
• Mycobacterium flavescens
• Mycobacterium gordonae

Rose-Pink

• Mycobacterium hiberniae

Notes and References

1. 10.1001/archderm.139.5.629 . 12756100 . 139 . 5 . Rapidly growing mycobacterial infections after pedicures . May 2003 . Arch Dermatol . 629–34. Sniezek . Patrick J. . Graham . Brad S. . Busch . Heidi Byers . Lederman . Edith R. . Lim . Matthew L. . Poggemyer . Kimberly . Kao . Annie . Mizrahi . Moise . Washabaugh . Gerry . Yakrus . Mitch . Winthrop . Kevin .