Pyrazine Carboxylamidase Activity in Corynebacterium

Abstract
A total of 124 strains representing Corynebacterium diphtheriae (mitis, gravis, intermedius, and ulcerans) and 12 strains of the closely related Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Corynebacterium ovis) were found to be pyrazinamidase negative (Pyz-). By contrast, a large number of strains representing various corynebacterial species, nocardias, bacterionemas, actinomyces, and rothias were pyrazinamidase positive (Pyz+). The usefulness and possible implications of this finding are discussed, and a rapid test for pyrazinamidase activity is described.

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