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Review

Mycobacteria and Nocardia

David N. McMurray
Samuel Baron  1
, editors.
In: Medical Microbiology. 4th edition. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; 1996. Chapter 33.
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Review

Mycobacteria and Nocardia

David N. McMurray.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

The genera Mycobacterium and Nocardia have been grouped into the family Mycobacteriaceae within the order Actinomycetales based upon similarities in staining and motility, lack of spore formation, and catalase production. These genera are characterized by the presence of long-chain fatty acids, called mycolic aids, which have the following general structures in their cell walls:

The side chains (R1 and R2) vary in length according to the genus; C60 to C90 in Mycobacterium; C40 to C56 in Nocardia. Several species produce disease in humans.

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References

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    1. Modlin RL. Th1-Th2 paradigm: insights from leprosy. J Invest Dermatol. 1994;102:828. - PubMed

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