M ycobacterium wolinskyi Infection Confirmed by rpo B Gene Sequencing

Identification of rapidly growing mycobacteria ( RGM ) is problematic because there are many taxonomic changes. 16 S r RNA gene is commonly used to identify M ycobacterium species, but alternative gene targets have been introduced for more accurate identification. We report a rare case of a prosthetic knee infection due to M ycobacterium wolinskyi . The isolate was not identified by 16 S r RNA gene sequencing alone and substantially confirmed by rpo B gene sequencing. The identification was delayed because our laboratory did not routinely identify RGM to the species level. Simultaneous sequencing of both 16 S r RNA and rpo B genes will allow rapid and accurate identification of M . wolinskyi isolates. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:325‐327, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.