Abstract
The mycobacteria are members of the order Actinomycetales and family Mycobacteriaceae. Species of the genus Mycobacterium show some evidence of branching, are acid-fast, are resistant to treatment with alkali, contain large amounts of lipids in their cell walls, and are aerobic or microaerophilic. Their growth rate is usually slow (2–6 weeks); however, a few species require only ≤5 days for growth. Most are resistant to conventional antibacterial and antituberculous antibiotics; however, some exhibit susceptibility to one or the other. Some are nonchromogenic, others may be photochromogenic or scotochromogenic. Current taxonomic trends recommend that members be referred to by their species name rather than by groupings.
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Roberts, G.D. (1985). Mycobacteria and Nocardia. In: Washington, J.A. (eds) Laboratory Procedures in Clinical Microbiology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5070-8_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5070-8_6
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