A study of some fast-growing scotochromogenic mycobacteria including species descriptions of Mycobacterium gilvum (new species) and Mycobacterium duv alii (new species).

Abstract

Twenty strains of fast-growing scotochromogenic mycobacteria with similar saccharolytic activities, including type strains of Mycobacterium acapulcense and Mycobacterium flavescens were compared in cultural, biochemical and immunodiffusion tests with established strains of 15 other mycobacterial species. The 20 strains could be divided into 3 separate groups. One of these included the type strains of M. acapulcense and M. flavescens which are considered synonymous and for which the latter name is recommended. The other 2 groups differed from all named species with which they were compared, and are considered as new species for which the names Mycobacterium gilvum and Mycobacterium duvalii are proposed. Species descriptions are given for the 2 new species and for M. flavescens.