ABSTRACT
During the five-year period from January 1, 1960 through December 31, 1964, there were 1,185 consecutive admissions to the tuberculosis service at the national Jewish Hospital. Among these admissions were 50 patients who consistently excreted atypical mycobacteria. The classification of these infecting organisms and a comparison of the results of management of these patients are presented. Of the 50 patients, 29 had organisms classified as Runyon Group I, all of which were Myconbacterium kansassi identifiable by cultural characteristics and serotyping. One patient excreted Runyon Group II organisms, and the remaining 20 patients were found to be excreting Runyon group III organisms. By serotyping technique of Schaefer, these latter mycobacteria were heterogeneous and cosnsisted of at least 10 separate serotypes. Of the 29 patients with Group I infection, 26 received chemotherapy and 22 or 85,5 per cent achieved stable culture negative status. The patient with Group II infection was not treated. Sixteen of the 20 patients with Group III infection had chemotherapy and 6 (37,5 per cent) became culture negative.