Classification of Mycobacteria Based
on Pathogenicity
Clinical Microbiology Review 210
GROUP PATHOGENICITY SPECIES
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (“tubercle bacilli”)
Atypical mycobacteria,
nontuberculous mycobacteria
(NTM), or mycobacteria other
than tubercle (MOTT) bacilli
M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti,
M. canetti
M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. malmoense,
M. chelonae, M. xenopi, M. gordonae
Cause human tuberculosis (TB).
Some cause pulmonary infection similar to
TB but not transmitted person to person.
Usually in immunocompromised. Contracted
from environment (soil, water).
