Development and evaluation of a multiplex PCR for rapid detection and differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members from non-tuberculous mycobacteria

Most mycobacterial infections are still caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) strains; however, infections by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasing, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Conventional species-specific identification and proper patient management are delayed due to the slow-growing nature of mycobacteria. We have developed a multiplex PCR (mPCR) targeting the oxyR-ahpC intergenic region and rpoB gene for direct detection and differentiation of clinical isolates as MTC or NTM in primary culture. Two amplicons of 473 bp and 235 bp from MTC members and a single amplicon of 136 bp from NTM are expected. The mPCR was developed using several mycobacterial species and was evaluated by testing extracted DNA from liquid cultures, flagged as positive for bacterial growth, of 100 consecutive mycobacterial isolates. The results were validated by DNA sequencing of the species-specific 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The mPCR with template DNA from reference Mycobacterium spp. yielded the expected amplicons. When 100 consecutive clinical isolates of Mycobacterium spp. were tested, 92 strains yielded MTC member-specific amplicons, and DNA sequences from 10 randomly selected isolates matched completely with the ITS sequence from M. tuberculosis. Eight isolates were identified as NTM, and DNA sequencing of the ITS region confirmed the NTM status of each of these isolates. The mPCR developed in this study allowed rapid detection and differentiation of primary cultures as MTC or NTM, thus helping in timely institution of specific therapy.     

Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in Indian AIDS patients detected by a novel set of ESAT-6 polymerase chain reaction primers

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are often underdiagnosed due to lack of proper diagnostic facilities. To overcome this, we created a rapid PCR method for the species-specific diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its differentiation from other mycobacteria. A set of PCR primers targeting the gene encoding for early-secreted antigen-6 (ESAT-6) of the M. tuberculosis complex was designed and standardized on mycobacterial standard strains and on 75 recent isolates from AIDS patients and 70 isolates from HIV-negative patients seen at the hospital of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. All 145 fresh mycobacterial isolates were identified using phenotypic methods and 16S rRNA PCR followed by sequencing of hypervariable region A. The ESAT-6 PCR detected all of the M. tuberculosis strains correctly (100% sensitivity), but none of the nontuberculous Mycobacterium spp. gave positive results (100% specific). Most nontuberculous mycobacteria were identified in patients with AIDS (24%) followed by those with tuberculous lymphadenitis (12.5%) and those with pulmonary tuberculosis whose treatment had failed (4.3%). The most common nontuberculous mycobacterial species isolated from AIDS patients was M. avium (6.6%), followed by M. fortuitum (5.7%), M. intracellulare and M. terrae (2.6% each). M. celatum, M. duvalii, M. austroafricanum, M. phlei and M. flavescence were also isolated from one patient each. The combination of genus-specific PCR primers with the novel ESAT-6 primer set could provide accurate and rapid diagnosis of mycobacteriosis.     

Characterization of mycobacteria isolated from bovines by PRA-targetting hsp 65 gene region

Bovine tuberculosis caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis is a major infectious disease of animals and has zoonotic importance for humans. Even though the incidence is believed to be very low in India, human tuberculosis caused by M. bovis has been increasingly recognized in many other countries of the world. As differentiation of mycobacterial species take long time, a method for the rapid identification of mycobacteria isolated from bovine samples to the species level was used, which is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the gene encoding for the 65-kD protein followed by restriction analysis. The method involves restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products obtained with primers common to all mycobacteria and generate M. tuberculosis complex specific pattern. PRA was performed on 33 bovine isolates of which 90.9% (30/33) isolates were identified clearly as M. tuberculosis complex, M. fortuitum, M. phlei and M. smegmatis using restriction enzyme Hae III.     

分支杆菌临床分离株的16S-23S rRNA基因转录间隔区的序列分析

目的　建立鉴定分支杆菌分离株的 16S - 2 3SrDNA转录间隔区 (internaltranscribedspacer ,ITS)序列分析的方法 ,用该方法对临床分离株进行鉴定。方法　对从重庆某医院分离的 2 9株分支杆菌菌株分别进行了PCR扩增 ,得到它们的16S - 2 3SrDNAITS片段 ,并测定所得到片段的DNA序列。用DNA分析软件将所获得的序列与GenBank的分支杆菌序列相比较 ,计算种间相似性 ,并用序列构建分支杆菌菌株的系统发育树 ,对分离株进行鉴定。结果　在ITS序列分析中 ,有 10株的序列分别与结核分支杆菌复合群 (Mycobacteriumtuberculosiscomplex ,MTC)、戈登分支杆菌 ,脓肿分支杆菌的序列完全一致。依据完全一致的序列可以准确鉴定这些临床分离株为相应的种 ;4株 16SrDNA序列分析不能准确鉴定的分离株中其中 3株(M 4、M 5、M 12 )鉴定为戈登分支杆菌 ,1株 (M 2 3)鉴定为脓肿分支杆菌。部分分离株的的ITS序列在GenBank序列检索中无完全一致的匹配序列 ,这些不同的序列之间的相似程度为 2 7.1%～ 99.2 %。用临床分离株的ITS序列与其最相似的已知分支杆菌的ITS序列构建的系统发育树 ,菌株分群与 16SrDNA序列构建的系统发育树的分群基本一致。结论　分支杆菌的16S - 2 3SrDNAITS序列比 16SrDNA序列有更大的多样性 ,该序列分析可作为     

荧光定量PCR技术快速检测rpoB基因突变及其临床应用

目的探讨荧光定量PCR技术检测基因突变的价值及其临床应用。方法针对结核分枝杆菌rpoB基因利福平耐药决定区(Rifampicin Resistance Determining Region,RRDR)526密码子和531密码子常见的突变形式设计探针(526CAC,526TAC,531TCG和531TTG),应用已知rpoB基因RRDR区序列的38株利福平耐药临床分离株和24株利福平敏感临床分离株以及5株非结核分枝杆菌菌株建立荧光定量PCR检测基因突变的方法。继而,应用该技术检测84份肺结核病例痰标本,与痰罗氏培养以及药敏结果进行比较,部分标本进行DNA测序证实。结果在38株利福平耐药、24株利福平敏感的临床分离株和5株非结核分枝杆菌中,其检测526密码子和531密码子突变的敏感性和特异性达100%。在84份肺结核病例的痰标本中,罗氏培养阳性62株,其中利福平耐药株48份,荧光定量PCR检测痰标本结核分枝杆菌DNA阳性为75例。荧光定量PCR检测到531密码子TTG突变65例,526密码子TAC突变7例。在48株利福平耐药株中,荧光定量PCR检测43株为531TTG突变,3株为526TAC突变,另2株利福平耐药株,经测序证实,1株514密码子TTC插入突变,1株为511密码子CCG和516密码子GGC联合突变。结论荧光定量PCR技术能快速检测rpoB基因突变,并能作为临床肺结核病人早期快速耐药诊断的辅助手段。     

Identification of mycobacteria by sequencing of rpoB gene and 16S rRNA

PURPOSE: To classify a specific Mycobacterium among various mycobacteria utilizing sequencing of rpoB gene. To classify mycobacteria not identified by DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) using sequencing of rpoB and 16S rRNA gene. OBJECTS AND METHODS: Classification of 106 Mycobacteria strains, one Nocardia strain, one Rhodococcus strain, four Gordona strains was made by using partial sequencing of rpoB and 16S rRNA (RIDOM). Thereafter, 38 mycobacteria clinical strains not identified by DDH were classified utilizing the DNA sequencing data. RESULTS: Pairs of M. kansasii and M. gastri, M. abscessus and M. chelonae, M.fortuitum (ATCC49404) and M. polcinum, M. peregrinum and M. septicum, M. farucinogense and M. senegalense and M. fortuitum (ATCC49403), Rhodococcus, Nocardia and Gordona strains were classified using sequencing of rpoB gene. Even though sequencing of rpoB and 16S rRNA gene was utilized, it was impossible to classify M. tuberculosis complex, M. avium family, M. marinum and M. ulcerans, and M. fortitum subsp. fortuitum and M. fortuitum subsp. acetamidolyticus. The 38 mycobacteria clinical strains not identified by DDH were successfully classified using sequencing of both rpoB and 16S rRNA. These sequencing analyses showed that M. heckeshornense, M. branderi, M. intermedium, M. shimoidei, M. wolinskyi, M. malmoense and M. lentiflavum could be identified. Thirty six clinical isolates (94.7%) and 32 clinical isolates (84.2%) were identified by rpoB sequencing and 16S rRNA sequencing (RIDOM), respectively. CONCLUSION: The classification ratio of mycobacteria including Nocardia, Rhodococcus and Gordona is 69.6% for sequencing of 16S rRNA and 89.3% for sequencing of rpoB gene. Sequencing of rpoB is useful for classification of mycobacteria due to its genetic diversity, but has some limitation in its application. In order to classify mycobacteria more accurately, it is important to combine sequencing of rpoB and 16S rRNA and biochemical/biological tests.     

DNA probe and polymerase chain reaction for detection and identification of mycobacteria]

The DNA probe and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for detection and identification of mycobacteria were compared with the conventional smear and culture method. The results of identification by DNA probe agreed well with those of the biochemical method. Moreover, six percent of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) were revealed to be mycobacteria other than MAC by DNA probe. The nested PCR for detection of gene coding protein antigen b of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex showed excellent specificity and sensitivity. Then we applied this technique to rapid detection of M. tuberculosis in 222 clinical samples. The agreement between nested PCR and the biochemical method was excellent, and 17 cases were diagnosed by only nested PCR in spite of negative results by smear and culture. These cases were unlikely to have yielded false positive results since their clinical features were compatible to tuberculosis. From these data, it was considered that the DNA probe and PCR technique were extremely useful strategies and would contribute to rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial infectious diseases.     

应用基因阵列法快速检测结核分枝杆菌rpoB基因突变

目的　研制一种新型的基因阵列 ,用于结核分枝杆菌耐利福平分离株rpoB基因突变的快速检测。方法　根据结核分枝杆菌rpoB基因序列设计寡核苷酸探针并制作基因阵列 ,用生物素标记的引物扩增结核分枝杆菌rpoB基因突变热点的目的片断 ,与基因阵列杂交 ,同时以聚合酶链反应 单链构象多态性 (PCR SSCP)技术及DNA测序法为对照。结果　 111株结核分枝杆菌临床分离株经PCR SSCP分析 ,4 1株RFP敏感株SSCP图谱与结核分枝杆菌标准株相同 ;70株耐RFP菌株中 ,6 3株(90 % )SSCP图谱与结核分枝杆菌标准株不同 ,其余 7株SSCP图谱与结核分枝杆菌标准株相同。基因阵列检测结果 4 1株RFP敏感株杂交图谱与标准株完全相同 ,70株耐RFP临床分离株中 ,6 3株检测到rpoB基因突变 ,检出率为 90 % ;其中 37株 (5 3% ) 5 31位丝氨酸 (Ser)置换 ,15株 (2 1% ) 5 2 6位组氨酸(His)置换 ,11株 (16 % )其他位置的氨基酸置换。基因阵列检测结果与PCR SSCP及测序结果一致。结论　用基因阵列法可简便、快速、准确地检测出大多数结核分枝杆菌耐利福平分离株的rpoB基因突变。     

Detection of mycobacteria by polymerase chain reaction]

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mycobacterial DNA sequences in the cultured or the clinical specimens. Four oligonucleotide primers derived from the sequence of a gene coding 65-kilodalton antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis amplified DNA samples of all the 11 species of mycobacteria tested. Serial dilution of M. bovis BCG showed that DNA extracted from only 12 bacilli was enough for the detection by PCR method. However, mycobacteria in sputum were detected by PCR when more than 10(3) bacilli were present. The PCR method may become a useful tool for the rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial infections.     

Universal pattern of RpoB gene mutations among multidrug-resistant isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from Africa.

SETTING: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) presents an increasing burden in Southern Africa. Rapid diagnostic tests for drug resistance to rifampicin have been developed based on mutation analysis of the rpoB gene. However, geographic differences of underlying mutations have recently been suggested. OBJECTIVE: Drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from Africa were analysed for geographic differences in frequency and location of rpoB mutations. DESIGN: A random sample of rifampicin-resistant strains was collected from 87 patients with pulmonary MDR-TB treated in 12 hospitals from six different regions of South Africa. In addition, 18 isolates of M. tuberculosis complex from Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, including 13 isolates of M. africanum, were analyzed. Point mutations were detected by direct sequence analysis of the rpoB gene. RESULTS: Missense mutations were identified for 91 isolates (87%). Double mutations were present in eight (8%) MDR-TB isolates, two of which carried one mutation outside a previously described diagnostic region. We found no geographic differences regarding the frequency and pattern of single rpoB gene mutations. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that molecular genetic analysis of rifampicin resistance based on a core region within the rpoB gene is universally applicable to strains of M. tuberculosis complex from different geographic regions.     

One-tube multiplex PCR method for rapid identification of mycobacterium tuberculosis

A rapid, inexpensive, simple, and accurate multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed in a single tube for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Assessment of sensitivity and specificity of simple PCR was performed with 116 strains of M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) and 144 strains of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) compared with the biochemical method. Specific amplification of KS4, MTC-specific DNA fragment, was found in 98% (114/116) of MTC and not detected in 99% (143/144) of NTM. Amplification of the mtp40 gene revealed 95% sensitivity (100/105 strains of M. tuberculosis) and 77% specificity (not found in 119/155 mycobacterial strains). A multiplex PCR method based on the combination of KS4- and mtp40-derived primers was used for identification of M. tuberculosis. Crude DNA from slow growing mycobacteria with cream rough colonies that showed both 768-bp amplified product for KS4 and 396-bp for mtp40 was identified as M. tuberculosis whereas that from MTC gave only the 768-bp product.     

Rapid genetic identification system of mycobacteria]

Rapid colorimetric hybridization method was applied for the identification of mycobacteria and phylogenetic detection and identification system of mycobacteria of polymerase chain reaction method was designed. Quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization in microdilution plate was used to identify 22 mycobacterial species. This method could identify 90% (178 among 194 trials) of clinical isolates within 3 hr. Ten percent of clinical isolates did not belong to any of the established 22 species. Through this work, we found Mycobacterium abscessus is genetically independent from M. chelonae and proposed M. abscessus as a distinct species. M. pregrinum had been classified as M. fortuitum, however, it was also found as a independent species. Thus the name M. peregrinum was officially revived and acquired the taxonomic position. Highly sensitive genetic detection system of mycobacteria was designed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Common mycobacterial sequence of 16S ribosomal RNA gene was first amplified by a single pair of PCR primers from staining negative sputum and the amplified DNA was identified by species specific DNA probe because the amplified fragment contained species specific sequence.     

Use of restriction enzyme analysis of amplified DNA coding for the hsp65 gene and polymerase chain reaction with universal primer for rapid differentiation of mycobacterium species in the clinical laboratory

Two rapid procedures, restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified segment of the gene encoding for the 65000 mol. wt heat shock protein and a polymerase chain reaction with single universal primer (UP-PCR), were used for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (n = 47) and proving the species identity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM, n=36) cultured from clinical samples by comparing the resulting DNA banding pattern with patterns derived from mycobacterial type strains (n = 24). UP-PCR assay provided a rather wide limit of tolerance for variations in procedure. Although mycobacterial strains were found to generate species-specific banding patterns in both assays, M. tuberculosis and M. bovis strains and isolates produced nearly the same DNA patterns, which were very distinctive from that of all NTM tested. Investigation of the majority of M. fortuitum (n = 14) and M. kansasii (n = 7), mycobacteria most frequently causing mycobacterioses in the region, as well as other NTM isolates, showed reproducible patterns characteristic of corresponding type strains. Both methods combine the advantages of ordinary PCR and PCR 'fingerprinting', namely, the species-specific DNA pattern and primers applicable to different species. They may be applied as rapid tests for proving the identity of Mycobacterium species in a clinical laboratory.     

Rapid and direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and mycobacteria in sputum by advanced method, PCR]

We developed two PCR methods, which amplify bovine tuberculous MPB70 gene and mycobacterial 16S rRNA gene, for detection of tubercle bacilli and mycobacteria in sputum, respectively. Among 27 Mycobacterium species and 57 species of 30 genuses other than Mycobacterium, only M. tuberculosis (TB) complex, i.e., M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti showed DNA amplification by PCR for MPB70, and amplification of 16S rRNA gene were observed specific in Mycobacterium species. A combination of these PCR abilities were available to differentiate the TB complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). We investigated the correlation between these methods and conventional methods with 311 sputa that were suspected mycobacteriosis. The PCR method could detect 12 cases of TB complex and 4 cases of NTM in 17 specimens, which were positive by conventional methods, but could not for one specimen. Among 294 specimens that were negative with conventional methods, the PCR method detected 13 and 8 cases of TB complex and NTM, respectively. These results were confirmed by commercial tuberculous specific DNA probe or investigation of the clinical background of the patients. On the other hand, 273 specimens showed negative result either PCR nor conventional methods. The PCR method did not detect tuberculous DNA in normal 197 sputa, which were not suspected mycobacteriosis. These results indicate that each one of these PCR methods is highly specific to TB complex or Mycobacterium species. We concluded that these PCR methods are useful and advanced methods for rapid and direct detection of tuberculosis and mycobacteriosis.     

多位点PCR用于安徽391株分枝杆菌分离株的快速鉴定

摘要：目的 评价多位点PCR用于分枝杆菌临床分离株快速鉴定效果。方法 收集从临床结核病患者分离到的抗酸染色阳性的培养物,经PNB/TCH鉴别培养基进行培养鉴定后,采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)对16SrRNA、Rv0577、IS1561、Rv1510、Rv1970、Rv3877/8和Rv3120 基因位点进行扩增,鉴定至种,再经rpoB-PRA、hsp65和rpoB基因测序进行验证。结果 共对391株分枝杆菌临床分离株应用多位点PCR进行了鉴定,结果显示结核分枝杆菌378株,非洲分枝杆菌I型6株,非结核分枝杆菌7株。7株非结核分枝杆菌分别为鸟分枝杆菌1株,马赛分枝杆菌2株,胞内分枝杆菌4株。而PNB/TCH鉴别培养基培养鉴定结果为结核分枝杆菌复合群385株,非结核分枝杆菌6株。多位点PCR结果与rpoB-PRA、hsp65和rpoB基因测序结果一致。结论 多位点PCR技术鉴定分枝杆菌菌种结果准确可靠,且具有简便和快速等优点,有较大的分子流行病学应用价值,且对于临床诊断和治疗都具有重要意义。     

某高级中学结核病爆发分离菌株的实验室鉴定

目的鉴定从某中学结核病爆发分离菌株的种属。方法对2006年5—8月,辽宁省某高级中学发生的10例痰检阳性病例中的3份痰标本分离的菌株经表型鉴定方法;传统生化方法;扩增hupB基因、dnaA-dnaN 和NTF-1区;Spoligotyping 以及MIRU基因分型;16S rRNA基因、16S-23S ITS和hsp65基因测序以及hsp65基因限制性酶切分析进行鉴定。结果临床分离株经生化方法初步鉴定1份为结核分枝杆菌复合群和2份为非结核分枝杆菌,随后经表型鉴定和扩增hupB基因、dnaA-dnaN 和NTF-1区;Spoligotyping 以及MIRU基因分型,说明属于结核分枝杆菌复合群的菌株为结核分枝杆菌北京基因型现代株,MIRU基因型为223325173533。经16S rRNA基因、16S-23S ITS和hsp65基因测序以及hsp65基因限制性酶切分析说明属于非结核分枝杆菌的菌株为猪分枝杆菌。结论本次从结核病爆发累及病人的标本中分离出结核分枝杆菌北京基因型现代株和猪分枝杆菌,猪分枝杆菌在暴发流行中的意义尚需进一步研究。     

A search for mycobacterial DNA in granulomatous tissues from patients with sarcoidosis using the polymerase chain reaction.

We have used the polymerase chain reaction as a tool to detect the presence of mycobacterial DNA from organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and other species of mycobacteria in samples from patients with sarcoidosis. Using systems based on the amplification of a fragment of the gene coding for the 65-kD mycobacterial antigen, which were demonstrated to detect approximately 20 mycobacterial genomes/microgram total DNA, DNA from M. tuberculosis was reproducibly identified in DNA extracted from granulomatous tissues from two patients with sarcoidosis, but could not be detected in DNA extracted from tissue biopsies (n = 16) or cells recovered by lavage (n = 6) from most sarcoid patients or from control subjects (n = 22). Using a system based on the amplification of a fragment of the IS6110 insertion element, which could reliably detect two genomes of mycobacterial DNA/microgram total DNA, no additional positive results were observed. In an effort to identify another species of Mycobacterium present in granulomatous tissues from sarcoid patients but not control tissues, a fragment of the 65-kD mycobacterial antigen was amplified and then reamplified using "nested" primers recognizing sequences that are highly conserved among mycobacteria and closely related species, and the amplified DNA products were cloned and sequenced. Amplified DNA was observed in a minority of samples from patients and control subjects (32/84 and 34/77 attempts, respectively, p greater than 0.2), resulting from amplification of DNA from at least 17 different organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

rpoB基因点突变与结核分枝杆菌对利福平耐药相关性的研究

目的了解浙江地区分离的结核分枝杆菌临床菌株对利福平（RFP）的耐药率及该菌rpoB基因点突变与RFP耐药性的关系。方法从浙江地区肺结核病人的痰液或咽拭子标本中分离并鉴定结核分枝杆菌72株。采用K-B纸片法和E-试验法检测上述结核分枝杆菌临床菌株对RFP的耐药性。采用PCR检测上述结核分枝杆菌临床菌株rpoB基因携带率。通过对RFP敏感或耐药各10株结核分枝杆菌临床菌株rpoB基因T-A克隆后测序，了解该基因氨基酸序列第516、526和531位点突变情况及其与RFP耐药性的关系。结果38．9％（28／72）结核分枝杆菌临床菌株对RFP耐药。所有结核分枝杆菌临床菌株均携带rpoB基因。1株RFP敏感的结核分枝杆菌临床菌株rpoB基因氨基酸序列中出现S526L点突变。5株RFP耐药的结核分枝杆菌临床菌株rpoB基因氨基酸序列中出现S526L点突变，另5株发生H531D点突变，但均未发现516位氨基酸突变或526和531位氨基酸联合突变。结论浙江地区分离的结核分枝杆菌临床菌株有较高的RFP耐药频率。上述结核分枝杆菌临床菌株对RFP耐药性与rpoB基因氨基酸序列526或531位点突变密切相关。     

Identification of mycobacterium species in contaminated cultures by polymerase chain reaction

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The detection of Mycobacterium sp on a culture remains the "gold standard" technique for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. A small percentage of these cultures, however, may be contaminated by other nonfastidious microorganisms, making accurate diagnosis difficult. We evaluated the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol that was specific for the genus Mycobacterium, and specifically for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium intracellulare, for the identification of Mycobacterium sp growing on contaminated cultures. DESIGN: This prospective study was designed to identify Mycobacterium sp growing on mycobacterial cultures contaminated with other microorganisms.Samples and patients: Twenty-six samples, taken from 23 patients with probable mycobacterial disease, that resulted in Mycobacterium growth but were contaminated during their processing were evaluated in this study. Clinical data and the clinical status of each patient were used to ascertain the final diagnosis. RESULTS: All samples studied here exhibited Mycobacterium growth on solid media but were contaminated by nonfastidious bacteria, compromising the biochemical identification of the Mycobacterium sp. PCR correctly identified the genus Mycobacterium in all samples. M tuberculosis was identified in 14 samples, and M avium in 10 samples. No amplification of M intracellulare was obtained, and in two samples there was amplification only for the genus Mycobacterium. In the cultures of those patients in whom a mycobacterial infection was evident, PCR identified M avium and M tuberculosis in samples from 6 and 12 patients, respectively. However, PCR identified M avium (two patients) and M tuberculosis (two patients) in the cultures of four patients for whom a mycobacterial disease could not be confirmed by our case definition. Finally, in two samples from one patient only the genus Mycobacterium was amplified by PCR. CONCLUSION: PCR, with its advantages of greater speed and effectiveness than conventional detection methods, was successfully used to identify the Mycobacterium sp growing on contaminated cultures.     

rpoB mutations as an epidemiologic marker in rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

SETTING: Cases of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the prison population in Madrid and from the general population in Spain. OBJECTIVE: To identify the rpoB mutations associated with resistance to rifampin and to investigate rpoB genotyping as an epidemiological marker in rifampin-resistant M. tuberculosis. DESIGN: Twenty-nine rifampin-resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis, 15 obtained from the prison population in Madrid and 14 from the general population in Spain, were characterized by sequence analysis of the 81-bp core region of the rpoB gene and IS6110 DNA fingerprinting. RESULTS: All the isolates had mutations in rpoB, with those in codon 531 accounting for 41% of the total. Twenty-three (79%) isolates were highly resistant to rifampin (minimum inhibitory concentration > or = 64 mg/L). Nineteen different IS6110 fingerprints were observed: one was shared by seven isolates, one by three, two by two, and 15 were unique. Two IS6110 clusters could be divided into subclusters on the basis of rpoB analysis. Epidemiologic links were identified among patients whose isolates had identical IS6110 patterns and rpoB genotypes, but not between those with identical IS6110 patterns and different rpoB genotypes. CONCLUSION: Characterization of rpoB mutations can provide information about susceptibility to rifampin and be a useful epidemiological tool for discrimination of rifampin-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis with identical IS6110 fingerprints.