Identification of clinically important strains of Mycobacterium fortuitum complex

Fifty strains of the Mycobacterium fortuitum complex isolated from patients with mycobacteriosis and tuberculosis were identified. Two species i.e. M. fortuitum and M. chelonei were identified within the M. fortuitum complex by tests for nitrate reduction and the capacity of iron assimilation. By the capacity of growing in the medium containing mannitol the author identified within the M. fortuitum complex 35 strains of the fortuitum biovariant and 14 strains of the peregrinum biovariant. A M. chelonei strain tolerant to 5% NaCl and unable to grow on the medium containing sodium citrate was classified as M. chelonei subsp. abscessus.     

Identification of Mycobacterium and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The identification results of 3530 Mycobacterium strains isolated from a clinical material from tuberculosis patients are presented. 3219 (91.17%) of the strains are classified AS M. tuberculosis and 331 (8.83%) as nontuberculous, containing, generally, M. fortuitum group. (96 or 2.71% of the cases). Most of the nontuberculous mycobacteria had no clinical value. Mycobacteriosis caused by these mycobacteria was diagnosed in 6 patients. Biochemical identification tests allowed one to specify the species of 19 Mycobacteria. Out of 738 environmental inoculations, mycobacteria were isolated in 43 (5.82%) cases, including 42 (97.68%) nontuberculous strains.     

Trichinosis in the Kherson Region

The paper describes the 2003-2004 outbreak oft richinosis in 2 districts of the Kherson Region. Pork was a source of infection. The disease occurred with the ingestion ofshashlik, raw meat, lard, or minced meat. The diagnosis of trichinosis was established 1-1.5 months after the onset of the disease. The patients received a course of therapy and were discharged in a satisfactory condition. The members of their families were prophylactically treated. Meats were bought at the markets and had negative veterinary sanitary tests. A package of antiepidemic and antiepizootic measures was implemented in the foci of trichinosis.     

Comparative evaluation of the significance of various criteria of virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The results of different criteria analysis and their interrelation in evaluating M. tuberculosis virulence for guinea-pigs are shown. 6- and 12-week indices, as their infectivity, dissemination, splenic index and lifespan are studied. It was demonstrated that the virulence index correlated with the intensity of Mycobacterium reproduction in the guinea-pig organs. The indices of virulence and dissemination are not correlated with the contaminating dose of Mycobacteria as well as the animals' lifespan. It is recommended to analyse a quantitative characteristics of virulence by means of its index by killing the guinea-pigs 6 weeks after their infection.