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

Kim, Sung Chin; Kim, Sang Chae

doi:1971.18.2.19

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 18(2); 1971 > Article

Original Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1971;18(2):19-26.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1971.18.2.19 Published online June 1, 1971.

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

Sung Chin Kim, Sang Chae Kim

Dept. of Bacteriology, The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, The Korean National TB Association, Seoul, Korea

한국 토양으로부터 분리된 미분류 항산균에 관한 연구

김성진, 김상재

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.