Objectives

: Determine if cord formation occurs in microcolonies of M. kansasii.

Methods

: 4 highly prevalent pathogenic mycobacterial species Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium neonarum were sown in 7H11 solid medium and observed for up to 21 days, additionally Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed for each of them. Additionally, Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed for each of them, observing the presence of cord formation in the microcolonies and determining their relationship with virulence and specific species

Results

: In all the species cultivated in solid medium 7H11, the formation of cords was observed at the level of the microcolones, in addition, the formation of cords in an early stage was identified by the Zhiel-Nelsen staining in Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Conclusions

: Mycobacterium kansasii is capable of developing beads at the microscopic level as was observed in microcoloneas, so the premise based on beads by microscopy specific for the M. tuberculosis species as a differential pattern from the other mycobacteria by forming beads in cultures must be taken with caution so as not to generate a misdiagnosis since there are other species that are capable of forming a similar pattern as has been observed in Mycobacterium kansasii.

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