mycobacteria other than tuberculosis

bacteria

Also known as: MOTT, atypical mycobacteria, nontuberculosis mycobacteria(Show More)

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Mycobacteria are a genus of rod-shaped bacteria. While some species, like M. tuberculosis and M. leprae, cause serious diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy in humans, others are free-living saprophytes found in soil and water.1

Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) can cause dangerous illnesses, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS. These infections can affect the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs. Treatment for MOTT infections is challenging and often has a poor prognosis due to the patient's overall condition.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

tuberculosis
Other mycobacterial infections
…nontuberculosis mycobacteria, atypical mycobacteria, and mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT). This group includes such Mycobacterium species as M. avium (or M. avium-intracellulare), M. kansasii, M. marinum, and M. ulcerans. These bacilli have long been known to infect animals and
Read More
…nontuberculosis mycobacteria, atypical mycobacteria, and mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT). This group includes such Mycobacterium species as M. avium (or M. avium-intracellulare), M. kansasii, M. marinum, and M. ulcerans. These bacilli have long been known to infect animals and
Read More