GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS IN HELA CELLS OF THE RAPIDLY GROWING ACID FAST BACTERIA, MYCOBACTERIUM FORTUITUM, MYCOBACTERIUM PHLEI , AND MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS

Abstract

Techniques are described for the study of the rapidly growing acid fast bacteria in HeLa cells. Bacilli of the non-pathogenic species M. phlei and M. smegmatis when introduced into HeLa cells remained in the cytoplasm for days without signs of growth. In contrast, the growth of M. fortuitum in the cytoplasm was rapid enough to be visible in one day. Growth continued in the succeeding days and was accompanied by a cytopathic effect.