Unidentified Mycobacterium species are sometimes detected in respiratory specimens. We identified a novel Tsukamurella species (Tsukamurella sp. TY48, RIMD 2001001, CIP 111916T), Tsukamurella toyonakaense, from a patient given a misdiagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease caused by unidentified mycobacteria. Genomic identification of this Tsukamurella species helped clarify its clinical characteristics and epidemiology.
Keywords: Japan; Tsukamurella paurometabola; Tsukamurella toyonakaenses; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; chronic pulmonary disease; nontuberculous mycobacteria; rapid-growing mycobacteria; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria.