Tuberc Respir Dis.  1971 Jun;18(2):19-26. 10.4046/trd.1971.18.2.19.

A Study on the Acid-Fast Bacteria Isolated from Soil in Korea

• KMID: 2529106
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1971.18.2.19

Abstract

A study was carried out on the isolations of acid-fast bacteria from 122 soil samples which sollected from 68 places throughout the country. Results obtained are as follows. 1) Out of 127 soil samples, 20 have yielded acid-fast bacteria by means of hydroxide-hypochlorite treatment, whereas 98 among 122 soil samples have produced acid-fast bacteria by means of 2% sodium hydroxide treatment 2) One hundred and eighty-eight isolates from 122 soil samples treated with 2% sodium hydroxide classified in accordance with Runyon’s schema; 40 strains or 21. 3% were group II scotochromogens, 91 or 48.4% were group III nonphotochromogens and 57 or 30.3% were group IV rapid growers. 3) Forty strains of Runyon group II were subdivided into 25 strains of Myc. scrofulaceum, which formed 13.3% of the total acid-fast bacteria (188 strains) isolated, 12 strains or 6.4% of Myc. aquae and 3 strains or 1. 6% of Myc. flavescens. 4) Ninety-one strains of Runyon group III were subdivided into 58 strains of Myc. terrae, which formed 30.9% of the total acid-fast bacteria (188 strains) isolated, 22 strains or 11. 7% of Myc. gastri, 9 strains or 4.8% of Battey-avian and 2 strains or 1. 1 % of “ V" bacilli. 5) Fifty-seven strains of Runyon group IV were subdivided into 55 strains of Myc. fortuitum, which formed 29.3% of the total acid-fast bacteria (188 strains) isolated and 2 strains or 1. 1% of Myc. phlei.