DISTRIBUTION OF SEROTYPES OF THE MYCOBACTERIUM-AVIUM-INTRACELLULARE-SCROFULACEUM COMPLEX IN GEORGIA

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Abstract
Cultures of the M. avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex, isolated from patients who lived throughout the state of Georgia, USA, were studied using the serotyping scheme of Schaefer. Of the 135 isolates tested, 104 (77%) could be classified into 16 serotypes. The rest were not typable. Of all the typable strains, 58% were serotypes 1, 14, 16 and 42. Results of the serotyping were recorded, mapped and analyzed by county of residence. Most frequent isolations of these mycobacteria were from patients who resided in the coastal plain of Georgia. This finding correlates with the mycobacterial skin test studies of Edwards and associates, who found that the largest percentage of reactors to PPD [purified protein derivative] Battey resided in the coastal plain. The disparate distributions of certain serotypes suggest the possible importance of regional factors that may affect the serotypes of mycobacteria indigenous to an area. Chicken or swin reservoirs may not be highly significant sources of human mycobacteria.