Large-Restriction-Fragment Polymorphism Analysis of Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium terrae Isolates

Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium terrae were reported to be frequently present in the environment of the Mycobacterium bovis BCG trial area in south India. Six isolates of M. chelonae and four isolates of M. terrae obtained from different sources in this area were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to examine large-restriction-fragment (LRF) polymorphism using the chromosomal DNA digested with DraI and XbaI restriction enzymes. With the exception of one isolate of M. terrae, DNA from all other isolates could be digested with DraI and XbaI and resulted in separable fragments. Visual comparison of the LRFs showed a unique pattern for each of the isolates tested. A computer-assisted dendrogram of the percent similarity demonstrated a high degree of genetic diversity in this group of isolates. This study demonstrates that species of nontuberculous mycobacteria, particularly M. chelonae and M. terrae, can be successfully typed by their LRF pattern using PFGE, which does not require species-specific DNA probes.