Mycobacterium algericum sp. nov., a novel rapidly growing species related to M. terrae complex and associated with goat lung lesions

A previously undescribed, rapid growing, non-chromogenic Mycobacterium novel species isolated from a goat lung lesion in Algeria is reported. Biochemical and molecular tools were used for its complete description and showed its affiliation to the M. terrae complex. 16S rRNA, rpoB and hsp65 sequences were unique. Phylogenetic analyses showed close relationship with M. terrae sensu stricto and M. senuense. Culture and biochemical characteristics were generally similar to M. terrae and M. senuense. However, in contrast to M. terrae and M. senuense, the isolate was positive for urease production and had a faster growth speed. The mycolic acid profile was distinct from M. terrae and M. senuense, thus further supporting the new taxonomic position of the isolate. We propose the name Mycobacterium algericum sp. nov. for this novel species. The type strain is TBE 500028/10(T) 'Bejaia' (= CIP 110121(T) = DSM 45454(T))