The following pages will detail some of the medically important aerobic actinomycetes.
The tables provided include some of the following main characteristics:
- Appearance on the Gram stain
- Appearance on the modified acid-fast stain [MAS]
- Genus (and species) of those most often associated with human disease
- Colonial growth characteristics
- Notable phenotypic characterizations
- Optimal temperature for growth
These tables are intended to introduce the genera, highlighting some noteworthy features. They are not intended to be exhaustive. With the rise of genotypic characterization methods, the nomenclature of these bacteria is constantly evolving.
Note: Phenotypic characterization of the aerobic actinomycetes is time-consuming and difficult, which is why molecular testing is recommended in most cases.
Although images for some of the more infrequently encountered aerobic actinomycetes are scarce, a good source for the workbench is the Manual of Clinical Microbiology, published by ASM Press.22
22. Carroll, K.C. & Pfaller, M.A. (Eds.). (2023). Manual of Clinical Microbiology (13th ed.). ASM Press.
