MYCOBACTERIA IN THE LORRAINE REGION, FRAN CE

Atypical mycobacteria are usually found in ground and water. Their dis tribution are different according to species and regions. The aim of t his study was to assess the presence of atypical mycobacteria in Lorra ine : northe-east French region, 81 water samples and 36 soil samples were collected from various sites close to Nancy, All samples were dec ontaminated with Lauryl sulfate Na, grown on Loewsenstein Jensen cultu re and incubated at 30, 37 and 40 degrees C. The results indicate a hi gh contamination rate by non-acid fast bacteria. 33 samples were disca rded. Atypical mycobacteria were isolated from 42 water samples (59 %) and 9 soil samples (69 %). The most important species were saprophyti c : M. gordonae, M. fortuitum. Among the opportunistic species, M. xen opi was isolated from one water sample, M. kansasii and M. marinum wer e isolated from 6 water samples, MAC were almost always present in the ground samples.