Talk:Mycobacterium

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[edit] Etymology of Myco–

Why is it called a "myco"bacterium? Isn't "myco" the radical for fungi? - Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.8.16.151 (talk • contribs)

I came here wondering the same thing 67.188.22.41 03:51, 29 January 2006 (UTC)
  • The Latin root myco- does mean fungus or fungus-like, though it can also mean waxy (see mycolic acid for an example of this usage). While Mycobacterium species do bear a passing resemblance to fungi when they grown on solid media (as in this image), it is the presence of "waxy" compounds in the cell wall that gives this genus its name—as well as its resistance to Gram staining. -- MarcoTolo 22:15, 1 May 2006 (UTC)
  • I was wondering the exact same thing. I went to Discussions to see if there was any mention of the issue, and lo and behold, the only topic in Discussions is the very issue I was concerned about. Go, Wikipedia!
Hah, me too. Maybe it should be in the article? --Galaxiaad 07:46, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


  • Hi, actually I have a book here that states "The name myco, meaning fungus like, was derived from their occasional exhibition of filamentous growth." Microbiology an Introduction, Tortora Funke and Case, 8th Ed p. 325 Would love to know the actual answer! :)Bindi13 (talk) 01:52, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Mycobacterium celatum

If someone has a minute to look at that article, it needs wikifying and a lot of expanding. Itsmejudith (talk) 13:23, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

M. miroti is also in the M. tuberculosis complex. This is not indicated in the list. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 150.142.232.4 (talk) 15:58, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] neither Gram negative nor positive

Where does this assumption come from ? I would regard this with great skepticism. XApple (talk) 12:53, 5 June 2008 (UTC)