Comparison of restriction enzyme pattern analysis and full gene sequencing of 16S rRNA gene for Nocardia species identification, the first report of Nocardia transvalensis isolated of sputum from Iran, and review of the literature.
Nocardial infections occur in different organs of the body and are common in immune disorder diseases of individuals. The aim of this study was to assess Nocardia species identification by phenotypic tests and molecular techniques applied to nocardiosis in Iranian patients. In the current study, various clinical samples were collected and cultured on conventional media and using the paraffin baiting method. Various phenotypic tests were performed. For accurate identification at the species level, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in the hsp65 and partial 16S rRNA genes and full gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene were used. Twenty-seven Nocardia spp. were isolated and analysis of phenotypic tests results showed Nocardia asteroides complex, Nocardia otitidiscaviarum, Nocardia nova, and Nocardia spp. New RFLP patterns of Nocardia strains with hsp65 and partial 16S rRNA genes were obtained. Full gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene identified Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, N. otitidiscaviarum, Nocardia farcinica, Nocardia transvalensis, and N. nova. Nocardia infections are rarely reported and this genus is the cause of various illnesses. Accurate identification of Nocardia spp. is important for epidemiology studies and treatment. It should also be noted that some species may have similar RFLP patterns; therefore, full gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene is necessary for confirmation.
Department of Microbiology, Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mehdi
M
Fatahi-Bafghi
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
Parvin
P
Heidarieh
Department of Microbiology, Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Masoumeh
M
Rasouli-Nasab
Department of Microbiology, Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Shadi
S
Habibnia
Department of Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Abdorazagh
A
Hashemi-Shahraki
Department of Microbiology, Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. eshraghs@tums.ac.ir.
Seyyed Saeed
SS
Eshraghi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009615:Nocardia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*
D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
16S rRNA gene; Nocardia; Phenotypic test; RFLP; Sequencing; hsp65 gene