Recovery and survival of nontuberculous mycobacteria under various growth and decontamination conditions

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The survival of microorganisms of the Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex was evaluated after various soil and water decontamination regimens. Survival was reduced by growing cells in natural waters compared with laboratory media and by inclusion of malachite green in media as an antifungal agent. Decontamination with benzalkonium chloride, while reducing survival significantly < 1% NaOH, failed to eliminate many fungi. Recovery from soil was further reduced by transfer losses and by irreversible cell adsorption onto particulates.