title: Differences in biochemical tests performed on photochromogenic mycobacteria isolated from human sources.
abstract: The photochromogenic mycobacteria do not all belong to one homogeneous species. With a simple heat-stable esterase (HSE) test it is possible to divide photochromogenic mycobacteria into two groups: HSE-positive--strongly pathogenic strains; and HSE-negative--weakly pathogenic strains. HSE-positive strains are mostly associated with pulmonary disease. HSE-negative strains are seldom associated with pulmonary disease, but are often associated with renal disease. It is rather difficult to draw a clear dividing line between pathogenic and non-pathogenic photochromogenic mycobacteria; and such a distinction probably does not exist in nature.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001192:Arylsulfatases / Q000032:analysis; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014510:Urease / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002374:Catalase; D004950:Esterases; D001192:Arylsulfatases; D014510:Urease