[Thin-layer chromatography of mycobacterial lipids and its importance for the differentiation and identification of...

Methodical prerequisites to the differentiation of mycobacteria using thin-layer chromatography of their lipids described. The results of the identification of 112 strains belonging to 22 different species of Runyon's groups II, and III and IV are presented indicating that the lipid analysis permits the subdivision of mycobacteria into more species than with usual culture and biochemical methods. The technique even permits to differentiate between serotypes. In M. fortuitum strains several characteristic lipid patterns can be clearly distinguished, supporting the old opinion that different species are collected in the M. fortuitum-complex: M. giae, M. perigrinum, M. fortuitum, M, minetti. Three distinct lipid patterns were found in the M. avium strains investigated corresponding to the serotypes 1, 2, and 3. Using lipid analysis with two solvent systems it was possible to differentiate between 13 serotypes of M. intracellulare. In this way 9 species of Runyon's groups II could be identified, too. The serotypes Lunning, Gause and scrofulaceum were found to have characteristic lipid patterns permitting their differentiation by the technique described. Lipid analysis by means of thin-layer chromatography has been demonstrated to be a reliable inexpensive method, very useful for the identification and classification of mycobacteria not only for routine procedures but also for taxonomical problems and epidemiological purposes.