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Comparison of a Multiplex‐PCR Assay with Mycolic Acids Analysis and Conventional Methods for the Identification of Mycobacteria
Author(s) -
Tanaka Ioshie Ibara,
Anno Ivone Shizuko,
Leite Sergio Roberto,
Cooksey Robert C.,
Leite Clarice Queico Fujimura
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1348-0421
pISSN - 0385-5600
DOI - 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2003.tb03401.x
Subject(s) - mycolic acid , mycobacterium chelonae , multiplex polymerase chain reaction , mycobacterium , microbiology and biotechnology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis complex , biology , nontuberculous mycobacteria , multiplex , polymerase chain reaction , bacteria , virology , medicine , pathology , gene , bioinformatics , genetics
A fast, sensitive and cost‐effective multiplex‐PCR assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and Mycobacterium avium ( M. avium ) identification for routine diagnosis was evaluated. A total of 158 isolates of mycobacteria from 448 clinical specimens from patients with symptoms of mycobacterial disease were analyzed. By conventional biochemical methods 151 isolates were identified as M. tuberculosis , five as M. avium and two as Mycobacterium chelonae ( M. chelonae ). Mycolic acid patterns confirmed these results. Multiplex‐PCR detected only IS 6110 in isolates identified as MTC, and IS 1245 was found only in the M. avium isolates. The method applied to isolates from two patients, identified by conventional methods and mycolic acid analysis, one as M. avium and other as M. chelonae , resulted positive for IS 6110 , suggesting co‐infection with M. tuberculosis . These patients were successfully submitted to tuberculosis treatment. The multiplex‐PCR method may offer expeditious identification of MTC and M. avium , which may minimize risks for active transmission of these organisms and provide useful treatment information.