Abstract |
The third study in a series on the prevalence of non- tuberculosis mycobacteria in Africa is devoted to the investigation of the formamidase activity of 288 cultures of mycobacteria, already typed by a battery of standard tests as pathogenic or atypical (184 strains) and saprophytic (104 strains). Of the latter, 96 (92.3%) were formamidase-positive, as compared with only 6 (3.3%) of the former. A close correlation was observed between the speed of growth on Löwenstein-Jensen medium and formamidase activity, 98 (96.1%) of the positive strains showing visible growth within 1-3 days. The relation between formamidase activity and growth on nutrient media was less clear-cut, however, and it was concluded that for the routine differentiation of saprophytic from other mycobacteria the formamidase test should be combined with simple tests such as speed of growth on L-J medium and ability to grow on nutrient media. Russel's method and Nessler's reagent for the detection of ammonia in the formamidase test were compared; the authors consider the former to be preferable, since the reaction is easier to read.
|
Authors | M P Zykov, H Roulet |
Journal | Bulletin of the World Health Organization
(Bull World Health Organ)
Vol. 37
Issue 6
Pg. 947-51
( 1967)
ISSN: 0042-9686 [Print] Switzerland |
PMID | 4173140
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Chemical References |
- Amidohydrolases
- Arylformamidase
|
Topics |
- Africa
- Amidohydrolases
(metabolism)
- Arylformamidase
(metabolism)
- Bacteriological Techniques
- Humans
- Methods
- Mycobacterium
(classification, enzymology, isolation & purification)
- Mycobacterium Infections
(epidemiology, microbiology)
|