Mycobacterium phlei is a species of acid-fast bacteria in the genus Mycobacterium.[1] It is characterized as one of the fast-growing mycobacteria. M. phlei has only occasionally been isolated in human infections, and patients infected with M. phlei generally respond well to anti-mycobacterial therapy. M. phlei has an unusually high GC-content of 73%.

Mycobacterium phlei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Actinomycetota
Class: Actinomycetia
Order: Mycobacteriales
Family: Mycobacteriaceae
Genus: Mycobacterium
Species:
M. phlei
Binomial name
Mycobacterium phlei
Lehmann & Neumann 1899

Description

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M. phlei is a rod-shaped bacterium 1.0 to 2.0 micrometers in length.[2] If grown on an agar plate, M. phlei colonies appear orange to yellow in color, and predominantly dense with smooth edges, although some smaller filamentous colonies have also been described.[2] Like other mycobacteria, M. phlei retains the acid-fast stain. M. phlei can grow at temperatures ranging from 28 °C to 52 °C.[2]

History

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M. phlei was first identified as the "Timothy Bacillus" or "Grass Bacillus I" by the German microbiologist Alfred Moëller in 1898.[2] The following year, the bacterium was given its current name by Karl Bernhard Lehmann and Rudolf Otto Neumann.[2]

This bacterium was extensively studied by Brodie and collaborators,[3] in connection with the metabolism and role of vitamin K2.

References

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  1. ^ Vance, DE; Mitsuhashi, O; Bloch, K (April 1973). "Purification and properties of the fatty acid synthetase from Mycobacterium phlei". J. Biol. Chem. 248 (7): 2303–9. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(19)44110-0. PMID 4698221.
  2. ^ a b c d e Gordon RE, Smith MM (1953). "Rapdily Growing, Acid Fast Bacteria I". Journal of Bacteriology. 66 (1): 41–8. doi:10.1128/JB.66.1.41-48.1953. PMC 357089. PMID 13069464.
  3. ^ "Arnold Frank Brodie - Publications".
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