Ocular nocardiosis: HSP65 gene sequencing for species identification of Nocardia spp.
OBJECTIVE
To assess hsp65 gene sequencing for detection and species identification of genus Nocardia from ocular isolates.


METHODS
A prospective study based on laboratory investigation.


METHODS
Genus-specific hsp65 gene sequencing was used to identify the genus Nocardia isolated from 11 consecutive cases of ocular nocardiosis to the species level.


RESULTS
Eleven eye clinical isolates belong to six species: N. arthritidis (3/11), N. neocaledoniensis (3/11), N. asiatica (2/11), N. asteroids type 4 (1/11), N. brasiliensis (1/11), and N. pseudobrasiliensis (1/11). N. arthritidis is the most important etiologic species that causes Nocardia keratitis. N. neocaledoniens is isolated in the conjunctiva, and might cause conjunctivitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Genus-specific hsp65 gene sequencing can be a rapid and reliable adjunct in the diagnosis of ocular Nocardia to the genus and species level. N. arthritidis other than N. asteroids (often appeared in surveys) is the most important etiologic species in ocular nocardiasis. N. neocaledoniensis can be isolated in conjunctiva, and might be able to cause conjunctivitis. The diversity of species has important implications for the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment (drug susceptibility).
Yin
Xiaotang
X
Department of Ocular Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
Liang
Shuang
S
Sun
Xuguang
X
Luo
Shiyun
S
Wang
Zhiqun
Z
Li
Ran
R
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009615:Nocardia / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins