RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Tsang, A. Y. A1 Barr, V. L. A1 Mcclatchy, J. K. A1 Goldberg, M. A1 Drupa, I. A1 Brennan, P. J.YR 1984 T1 Antigenic Relationships of the Mycobacterium fortuitum-Mycobacterium chelonae Complex JF International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, VO 34 IS 1 SP 35 OP 44 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00207713-34-1-35 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1466-5034, AB We used a combination of chemical analysis, seroagglutination, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay to examine the glycolipids of the rapidly growing mycobacteria in order to define the basis of the antigenicity of these organisms. This dual chemical and serological approach established that the typing antigens of Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. chelonae belong to the polar C-mycoside glycopeptidolipid class, the major component of which contains a trisaccharide composed of 3,4-di-O-methylrhamnose, rhamnose, and 6-deoxytalose. The glycolipid patterns of M . chelonae subsp. abscessus and M . chelonae subsp. chelonae were identical. The same approach showed that there is no relationship between Mycobacterium fortuitum biovar fortuitum and Mycobacterium fortuitum biovar peregrinum. The specific lipids of M. fortuitum biovar peregrinum belong to the alkali-stable C-mycoside glycopeptidolipid class and are different from those of M . chelonae subsp. chelonae. M . fortuitum biovar fortuitum isolates produced three patterns of alkali-labile lipids with features of lipooligosaccharide antigens. Moreover, strains and antisera of M . fortuitum biovar fortuitum and M. fortuitum biovar peregrinum used in combination produced no cross-reactions. Thus, chemical analysis of the type-specific antigens is a powerful adjunct to serology for studying the antigenic relationships among rapidly growing mycobacteria, and our results support the reinstitution of “Mycobacterium peregrinum” as a species distinct from M . fortuitum. , UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/00207713-34-1-35