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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 2003, p. 5685-5689, Vol. 69, No. 9
0099-2240/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.9.5685-5689.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Factors Influencing the Chlorine Susceptibility of Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium scrofulaceum

Joseph O. Falkinham III^*

Department of Biology and Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

Received 23 January 2003/ Accepted 24 June 2003

The susceptibility of representative strains of Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium scrofulaceum (the MAIS group) to chlorine was studied to identify factors related to culture conditions and growth phase that influenced susceptibility. M. avium and M. intracellulare strains were more resistant to chlorine than were strains of M. scrofulaceum. Transparent and unpigmented colony variants were more resistant to chlorine than were their isogenic opaque and pigmented variants (respectively). Depending on growth stage and growth rate, MAIS strains differed in their chlorine susceptibilities. Cells from strains of all three species growing in early log phase at the highest growth rates were more susceptible than cells in log and stationary phase. Rapidly growing cells were more susceptible to chlorine than slowly growing cells. The chlorine susceptibility of M. avium cells grown at 30°C was increased when cells were exposed to chlorine at 40°C compared to susceptibility after exposure at 30°C. Cells of M. avium grown in 6% oxygen were significantly more chlorine susceptible than cells grown in air. Chlorine-resistant MAIS strains were more hydrophobic and resistant to Tween 80, para-nitrobenzoate, hydroxylamine, and nitrite than were the chlorine-sensitive strains.

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* Mailing address: Fralin Biotechnology Center, West Campus Dr., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0346. Phone: (540) 231-5931. Fax: (540) 231-7126. E-mail: jofiii{at}vt.edu.

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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 2003, p. 5685-5689, Vol. 69, No. 9
0099-2240/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.9.5685-5689.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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