Mycobacterium fortuitum

Paul Auwaerter, M.D.

MICROBIOLOGY

Rapidly-growing, nonchromogenic, non-tubercular mycobacterium (NTM).
- May stain Gram positive [Fig] and resemble Nocardia spp.
- Upon AFB staining, rod form are usually 1-3 µm x 0.2-0.4 µm, and occasionally beaded, causing confusion with Nocardia.
Typically takes 3-7 days for clinical cultures to become positive, but may require longer incubation.
- Löwenstein-Jensen media has been classically used to culture the organism.
Reservoirs: soil, water, animals, marine life--worldwide distribution.
- Can be found as part of a biofilm environment.
M. fortuitum group includes M. peregrinum, M. houstonese, M. boenickei, M. mageritense, M. senegalense and Mycobacterium setense sp. nov. Differentiation only by molecular testing.

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