[What terms can be applied to mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis and M. leprae]

A review of the terms used to name mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis and M. leprae was performed. A system using binomial nomenclature is defended. The author comments on the various names applied to mycobacteria over the history of medicine, from 1899 to the present, and the reasons why terms such as environmental mycobacteria or nontuberculous mycobacteria are incorrect and should not be used. In the case that a general name must be chosen for these mycobacteria, the term atypical mycobacteria is advocated.