Abstract
Biological and biochemical characters, especially, nutritional requirements of the group III nonphotochromogens isolated in Japan have been described (Tables 1 and 2). Among thirtyseven strains studied, twenty-one with NJ-symbol and three with SJ-symbol were the strains proved to have been pathogenic for human.
This group of mycobacteria was differentiated clearly from M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. kansasii and M. marinum by the characters presented in this study. Relationships between the nonphotochromogens and M. avium, M. terrae and M. aquae will be discussed in the following report.
