Environmental mycobacteria from alpine and subalpine habitats

Mycobacteria were isolated from a variety of materials such as soil, peat, humus, tufa, sphagnum, and wood, collected in alpine and subalpine habitats. Mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium szulgai, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium terrae, Mycobacterium chelonae, and Mycobacterium fortuitum were recovered from 69 of 81 (85%) samples. All of the isolates were recovered on medium incubated at 20 and 30 degrees C. None were recovered if the medium was incubated at 37 degrees C. The isolation of mycobacteria confirms the presence of these opportunistic pathogens in alpine habitats.