RESUMO
Many arthropodes are found in close contact with soil and other material contaminated by mycobacteria. In order to clear up their importance as potential carriers of germs of the MAIS complex (Mycobacterium avium, intracellulare, scrofulaceum), we investigated 835 samples of arthropodes taken from different biotopes. Following a treatment according to the cultural method developed by us (Beerwerth, 1967), we isolated 606 strains of mycobacteria from 302 (36.0%) out of 835 samples. Incubation at room temperature was more effective than incubation at 37 degrees C. 96 (15.8%) in 606 strains did not grow at 37 degrees C. In arthropodes taken from pasture-ground we mainly found mycobacteria of group II according to Runyon, while in arthropodes from arable land, stables and saw mills mycobacteria of group III predominated. Samples of arthropodes taken from forests, moorland and waters showed a comparatively similar spectrum of species. Strains of the MAIS complex - M. avium, intracellulare, scrofulaceum - were frequent in areas of saw mills (80 = 20.5% in 356 strains), but rarely found amongst the remaining biotopes (11 = 4.4% in 250 species). Mycobacteria were chiefly isolated from larvae and imagines living in permanent contact with soil and less from winged shapes. The epidemiological importance of arthropodes spreading pathogenic mycobacteria should not be overvalued.
