Comparison of Mycobacterium avium isolates from Greek AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the chromosomal types of Mycobacterium avium strains infecting HIV-negative and AIDS patients in Greece.


METHODS
In total, 41 Mycobacterium avium isolates, 23 from AIDS and 18 from HIV-negative patients, were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA after XbaI digestion. The majority (87%) of AIDS isolates were from disseminated infection, while the majority (61%) of HIV-negative isolates were from children with cervical lymphadenitis.


RESULTS
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis classified strains whose electrophoretic patterns were at least 85% similar into three clusters, A (four isolates), B (12 isolates), and C (15), while 10 isolates remained outside of these clusters. There was no statistically significant correlation of any PFGE cluster with a specific patient group. Within each patient group, no significant correlation of PFGE type with time, place of residence or, in the case of AIDS patients, hospital attended was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Genotypic similarities between isolates responsible for disseminated infection in AIDS patients and lymphadenitis in HIV-negative children suggest that related strains, possibly from an environmental source, cause both types of infections.
Kyriakopoulos
A M
AM
Department of Microbiology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Matsiota-Bernard
P
P
Marinis
E
E
Legakis
N J
NJ
Tassios
P T
PT
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000737:chemistry; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010802:Phylogeny; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C025580:endodeoxyribonuclease XBAI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific