Phenol-Soluble Antigens from Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium gastri, and Mycobacterium marinum

Many of the demonstrable antigens derived from mycobacteria are common to members of different species. Agglutination tests have yielded the most specific characterizations. An antigen which may be associated with the specific agglutination is soluble in phenol and can be extracted and separated from other antigens by use of this solvent. Phenol-soluble antigens have been extracted from representative cultures of Mycobacterium kansasii, M. gastri, and M. marinum. Most representatives of each of these species yielded an antigen which was characteristic of the species but was distinct from antigen derived from the other two species.