title: Use of PCR and reverse line blot hybridization macroarray based on 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer sequences for rapid identification of 34 mycobacterium species.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a PCR and reverse line blot hybridization (PCR-RLB) macroarray assay based on 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer sequences for the identification and differentiation of 34 mycobacterial species or subspecies. The performance of the PCR-RLB assay was assessed and validated by using 78 reference strains belonging to 55 Mycobacterium species, 219 clinical isolates which had been identified as mycobacteria by high-performance liquid chromatography or gas chromatography, three skin biopsy specimens from patients with suspected leprosy which had been shown to contain acid-fast bacilli, and isolates of 14 nonmycobacterial species. All mycobacteria were amplified in the PCR and hybridized with a genus-specific probe (probe MYC). The 34 species-specific probes designed in this study hybridized only with the corresponding Mycobacterium species. The mycobacterial PCR-RLB assay is an efficient tool for the identification of clinical isolates of mycobacteria; it can reliably identify mixed mycobacterial cultures and M. leprae in skin biopsy specimens.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (CIDM), Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead Hospital, Darcy Rd., Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia.
authors.forename: Likuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Fanrong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Yingzhou
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jinquan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Gwendolyn L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S