Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacterium smegmatis is an acid-fast bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium. It was first reported in November 1884 by Lustgarten who found a bacillus with the staining appearance of tubercle bacilli in syphilitic chancres. Subsequently, Alvarez and Tavel found organisms similar to that described by Lustgarten as well as in normal genital secretions (smegma). This organism was later named M. smegmatis.

M. smegmatis is generally considered a non-pathogenic microorganism, however in some cases it can cause disease, mainly in animals.