Open AccessA Co-operative Numerical Analysis of Mycobacterium gastri, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium marinum
Author(s) -
Lawrence G. Wayne,
Leonardo R. Andrade,
S. Froman,
W Käppler,
Eugen Kubala,
Gertrud Meißner,
M Tsukamura
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of general microbiology/journal of general microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2059-9323
pISSN - 0022-1287
DOI - 10.1099/00221287-109-2-319
Subject(s) - mycobacterium kansasii , mycobacterium marinum , mycobacterium , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , bacteria
A co-operative taxonomic study has been performed on slowly growing photochromogenic mycobacteria (Runyon Group I) and closely related organisms. Phenetic data on 54 strains, studied in seven laboratories, were collected and analysed by numerical taxonomic methods. Immunological properties and phage susceptibility patterns were analysed independently to establish correlation with numerical classification. Mycobacterium gastri, M. kansasii and M. marinum appeared as distinct well-defined clusters and the serological and phage data supported the resolution of these three species. A table of definitive properties is presented. Two strains each of M. simiae and M. asiaticum formed a loose cluster which was clearly separated from the previously mentioned three species; the small number of strains examined precluded the establishment of a list of definitive properties of these two species. It is concluded that the Runyon Groups, which provided a practical though arbitrary basis for establishment of a series of co-operative studies, have served their purpose and should now be supplanted by classification and nomenclature based on species.