Antigenic Relationships of the Mycobacterium fortuitum-Mycobacterium chelonae Complex

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Abstract
A combination of chemical analysis, seroagglutination and an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was used to examine the glycolipids of the rapidly growing mycobacteria in order to define the basis of the antigenicity of these organisms. This dual chemical and serological approach established that the typing antigens of M. chelonae ssp. chelonae belong to the polar C-mycoside glycopeptidolipid class, the major component of which contains a trisaccharide composed of 3,4-di-O-methylrhamnose, rhamnose and 6-deoxytalose. The glycolipid patterns of M. chelonae ssp. abscessus and M. chelonae ssp. chelonae were identical. The same approach showed that there is no relationship between M. fortuitum biovar fortuitum and M. fortuitum biovar peregrinum. The specific lipids of M. fortuitum biovar peregrinum belong to the alkali-stable C-mycoside glycopeptidolipid class and are different from those of M. chelonae ssp. chelonae. M. fortuitum biovar fortuitum isolates produced 3 patterns of alkali-labile lipids with features of lipooligosaccharide antigens. Strains and antisera of M. fortuitum biovar fortuitum and M. fortuitum biovar peregrinum, used in combination, produced no cross-reactions. Chemical analysis of the type-specific antigens is a powerful adjunct to serology for studying the antigenic relationships among rapidly growing mycobacteria, and the results support the reinstitution of M. peregrinum as a species distinct from M. fortuitum.

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