RESUMO
Twenty coded strains of the following species: Mycobacterium avium, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. chelonei, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. nonchromogenicum, M. scrofulaceum, M. terrae, M. triviale and M. xenopi, were subjected to identification in a co-operative study undertaken by seven laboratories of four countries (CSSR, GDR, PRP and USSR). Three of these laboratories recognized 18-19 (90-95%) of the strains, three others 15-17 (75-85%) and one laboratory recognized 8 (40%) strains. In the correctly identified species, agreement between the tests used by all participants was evaluated. The highest rates of agreement in positive or negative results (04-100%) were obtained for nitrate reduction, detection of arylsulphatase, urease and nicotinamidase in M. kansasii, M. avium-intracellulare and M. fortuitum.