Simplified Approach to Identification of Aerobic Actinomycetes by Thin-Layer Chromatography

A system has been developed for the identification of aerobic actinomycetes in the clinical laboratory based on analysis of whole cells for diaminopimelic acid and carbohydrates and on the ability of the organism to decompose casein, tyrosine, and xanthine media. The whole-cell analyses were performed by a simple thin-layer chromatographic procedure that is described. Eighteen reference cultures were correctly identified and, subsequently, 35 isolates from clinical material were grouped by using this system. The method is well suited for use in routine clinical laboratories.