A Co-operative Numerical Analysis of Mycobacterium gastri, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium marinum

Abstract

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 . marinurn 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 nzentioned 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.

Mycobacterium marinuminfections in man

“…Other properties of M. marinum include: allantoinase (Tsukamura, 1967); aL-fucosidase (Grange & McIntyre, 1979); pyrazinamidase (Wayne et al 1978); picric acid reduction (Kazda & Hampl, 1965); resistance to amithiozone, 10,g/ml;…”

“…hydroxylamine, 250 ,ug/ml; rifampicin, 25 jtg/ml (Tsukamura et al 1973); and resistance to isoxyl, 50 ,ug/ml (Wayne et al 1978). The techniques used in these tests are discussed by Tsukamura et al (1973).…”

First Report of the Cooperative, Open-Ended Study of Slowly Growing Mycobacteria by the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy

“…One culture was selected from a central position in each of the clusters that corresponded to named species in the three prior cooperative studies on slow growers (8,21,22). These 13 cultures, which are identified in the NT matrix (see Fig.…”

Fourth Report of the Cooperative, Open-Ended Study of Slowly Growing Mycobacteria by the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy

“…avium, and three tentatively defined clusters in proximity to a cluster that encompasses the type strain of Mycobacterium malmoense. Of special practical interest is the fact that one of the latter three clusters is composed of clinically significant scotochromogenic bacteria that can be misidentified as the nonpathogenic organism Mycobacterium gordonae if insufficient biochemical tests are performed.In their first cooperative studies, the members of the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy (IWGMT) applied numerical taxonomic (NT) analysis methods to discrete and limited sets of mycobacteria to provide broad-based characterizations of clusters that corresponded to previously established species (5,10,12,16,26,31). Subsequently, a cooperative open-ended study was initiated in which new strains of slowly growing mycobacteria were introduced on a continuing basis, and the data were analyzed at intervals (32-34).…”

“…In their first cooperative studies, the members of the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy (IWGMT) applied numerical taxonomic (NT) analysis methods to discrete and limited sets of mycobacteria to provide broad-based characterizations of clusters that corresponded to previously established species (5,10,12,16,26,31). Subsequently, a cooperative open-ended study was initiated in which new strains of slowly growing mycobacteria were introduced on a continuing basis, and the data were analyzed at intervals (32-34).…”