This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brander, E Articles by Katila, M L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brander, E Articles by Katila, M L

Characterization of a distinct group of slowly growing mycobacteria by biochemical tests and lipid analyses.

Tuberculosis Laboratory, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.

ABSTRACT

A group of slowly growing mycobacterial strains (n = 14) isolated from respiratory tract specimens was collected from 1971 to 1990 on the basis of growth characteristics and uncommon biochemical and glycolipid profiles. Growth at 25 to 45 degrees C, a negative Tween 80 hydrolysis test, a strong positive reaction in a 14-day arylsulfatase test, and susceptibility to ethambutol in combination with resistance to cycloserine were important for the initial separation. The strains had a distinctive glycolipid pattern which was unlike those of other mycobacterial species. Analyses of cellular fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography and mycolic acids by thin-layer chromatography further characterized this homogeneous group of mycobacteria. The presence of 2-eicosanol (2-OH-20:0alc) and hexacosanoic acid (26:0) combined with the lack of 2-docosanol (2-OH-22:0alc) differentiated this group from other slowly growing mycobacteria.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• McNabb, A., Eisler, D., Adie, K., Amos, M., Rodrigues, M., Stephens, G., Black, W. A., Isaac-Renton, J. (2004). Assessment of Partial Sequencing of the 65-Kilodalton Heat Shock Protein Gene (hsp65) for Routine Identification of Mycobacterium Species Isolated from Clinical Sources. J. Clin. Microbiol. 42: 3000-3011 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Tortoli, E. (2003). Impact of Genotypic Studies on Mycobacterial Taxonomy: the New Mycobacteria of the 1990s. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 16: 319-354 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Torkko, P., Katila, M.-L., Kontro, M. (2003). Gas-chromatographic lipid profiles in identification of currently known slowly growing environmental mycobacteria. J Med Microbiol 52: 315-323 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wolfe, J., Turenne, C., Alfa, M., Harding, G., Thibert, L., Kabani, A. (2000). Mycobacterium branderi from Both a Hand Infection and a Case of Pulmonary Disease. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 3896-3899 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• KOUKILA-KAHKOLA, P., PAULIN, L., BRANDER, E., JANTZEN, E., EHO-REMES, M., KATILA, M.-L. (2000). Characterisation of a new isolate of Mycobacterium shimoidei from Finland. J Med Microbiol 49: 937-940 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Torkko, P., Suutari, M., Suomalainen, S., Paulin, L., Larsson, L., Katila, M.-L. (1998). Separation among Species of Mycobacterium terrae Complex by Lipid Analyses: Comparison with Biochemical Tests and 16S rRNA Sequencing. J. Clin. Microbiol. 36: 499-505 [Abstract] [Full Text]