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.

Mycobacterium heckeshornense
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Bacillati
Phylum:	Actinomycetota
Class:	Actinomycetes
Order:	Mycobacteriales
Family:	Mycobacteriaceae
Genus:	Mycobacterium
Species:	M. heckeshornense
Binomial name
Mycobacterium heckeshornense Roth et al. 2001, DSM 44428

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