Mycobacterium species identification--a new approach via dnaJ gene sequencing

The Homologous Gene of Chromosomal Virulence D (chvD) Presents High Resolution as a Novel Biomarker in Mycobacterium Species Identification

Objective

To evaluate the resolution of chromosomal virulence D (chvD) as a novel marker for mycobacterial species identification.

Methods

A segment of chvD (652 bp) was amplified by PCR from 63 mycobacterial reference strains, 163 nontuberculous mycobacterial clinical isolates, and 16 M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) clinical isolates. A phylogenetic tree based on the reference strains was constructed by the neighbor-joining and IQ-tree methods. Comparative sequence analysis of the homologous chvD gene efficiently differentiated the species within the genus Mycobacterium. Slowly growing Mycobacterium (SGM) and rapidly growing Mycobacterium (RGM) were separated in the phylogenetic tree based on the chvD gene.

Results

The sequence discrepancies were obvious between M. kansasii and M. gastri, M. chelonae and M. abscessus, and M. avium and M. intracellulare, none of which could be achieved by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) homologous gene alignment. Furthermore, chvD manifested larger intraspecies diversity among members of M. intracellulare subspecies. A total of 174 of the 179 (97.21%) clinical isolates, consisting of 12 mycobacterial species, were identified correctly by chvD blast. Four M. abscessus subsp. abscessus were identified as M. abscessus subsp. bolletii by chvD. MTBC isolates were indistinguishable, because they showed 99.84%-100% homology.

Conclusion

Homologous chvD is a promising gene marker for identifying mycobacterial species, and could be used for highly accurate species identification among mycobacteria.

Diagnostic Utility of a Mycobacterium Multiplex PCR Detection Panel for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

The prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases is increasing worldwide, and tuberculosis remains highly prevalent. Rapid and accurate microbial diagnoses of both tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are required. A novel PCR-reverse sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-rSSO) method-based mycobacterial detection panel (Myco-Panel) test was developed for the rapid identification of 30 mycobacterial species and subspecies. Clinical respiratory samples were collected from patients with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and those with other respiratory diseases. Myco-Panel tests were performed on the samples, and liquid mycobacterial culture and identification were performed for reference according to housekeeping gene sequences of mycobacteria in positive culture tubes. Furthermore, to assess the detection performance for several mycobacterial species rarely recovered in Japan, the accuracy of the Myco-Panel test was investigated using stock mycobacterial type strains and clinical isolates. A total of 178 clinical respiratory samples were analyzed. The Myco-Panel and sequence-based identification results for mycobacterial cultures were 83.1% concordant (kappa coefficient, 0.785 [95% confidence interval, 0.716 to 0.854]). The Myco-Panel correctly identified 281 of the 283 type strains and clinical isolates tested. The Myco-Panel test could accurately detect several mycobacterial species from clinical respiratory samples and mycobacterial suspensions. Rapid and accurate identification of pathogens using respiratory samples is possible using the Myco-Panel. IMPORTANCE Species identification is important for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections and decisions on treatment regimens. The Myco-Panel test accurately detects clinically common mycobacterial species that cause respiratory infections from clinical respiratory samples and mycobacterial suspensions. The rapid identification of multiple mycobacterial species will provide clinically useful information for the management of patients. Although we understand that the current diagnostic criteria require mycobacterial culture results in general for the diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection, mycobacterial culture examination is a time-consuming process. The detection of potentially causative agents directly from clinical samples will aid in practical diagnosis and decision-making for rapid treatment initiation. This is a new laboratory method for species identification, and evaluating its performance is important.

Mycolicibacterium sp. strain PAM1, an alfalfa rhizosphere dweller, catabolizes PAHs and promotes partner-plant growth

This research was focused on the isolation and characterization of a PAH-catabolizing mycobacterial strain from the petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated rhizosphere of alfalfa, as well as on revealing some points of interaction between the microorganism and the plant. Mycolicibacterium sp. PAM1, a pyrene degrader isolated from the niche of interest to us, can catabolize fluoranthene, anthracene, fluorene, and phenanthrene. On the basis of curves of PAM1 growth with different PAHs as the sole carbon sources and on the basis of PAH-degradation rates, we found that pollutant availability to the strain decreased in the sequence phenanthrene > fluorene > fluoranthene ∼ pyrene > anthracene. For each PAH, the catabolic products were identified. PAM1 was found to have the functional genes nidA and nidB. New data modeling the 2D and 3D structures, intrinsic structural disorder, and molecular dynamics of the nidA and nidB gene products were obtained. The identified genes and intermediates of pyrene degradation indicate that PAM1 has a PAH catabolic pathway that is peculiar to known mycobacterial pyrene degraders. PAM1 utilized some components of alfalfa root exudates as nutrients and promoted plant growth. The use of mycobacterial partners of alfalfa is attractive for enhancing the phytoremediation of PAH-contaminated soils.

Performance and Application of 16S rRNA Gene Cycle Sequencing for Routine Identification of Bacteria in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

This review provides a state-of-the-art description of the performance of Sanger cycle sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for routine identification of bacteria in the clinical microbiology laboratory. A detailed description of the technology and current methodology is outlined with a major focus on proper data analyses and interpretation of sequences. The remainder of the article is focused on a comprehensive evaluation of the application of this method for identification of bacterial pathogens based on analyses of 16S multialignment sequences. In particular, the existing limitations of similarity within 16S for genus- and species-level differentiation of clinically relevant pathogens and the lack of sequence data currently available in public databases is highlighted. A multiyear experience is described of a large regional clinical microbiology service with direct 16S broad-range PCR followed by cycle sequencing for direct detection of pathogens in appropriate clinical samples. The ability of proteomics (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) versus 16S sequencing for bacterial identification and genotyping is compared. Finally, the potential for whole-genome analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) to replace 16S sequencing for routine diagnostic use is presented for several applications, including the barriers that must be overcome to fully implement newer genomic methods in clinical microbiology. A future challenge for large clinical, reference, and research laboratories, as well as for industry, will be the translation of vast amounts of accrued NGS microbial data into convenient algorithm testing schemes for various applications (i.e., microbial identification, genotyping, and metagenomics and microbiome analyses) so that clinically relevant information can be reported to physicians in a format that is understood and actionable. These challenges will not be faced by clinical microbiologists alone but by every scientist involved in a domain where natural diversity of genes and gene sequences plays a critical role in disease, health, pathogenicity, epidemiology, and other aspects of life-forms. Overcoming these challenges will require global multidisciplinary efforts across fields that do not normally interact with the clinical arena to make vast amounts of sequencing data clinically interpretable and actionable at the bedside.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in wildlife: Review of current applications of antemortem and postmortem diagnosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic inflammatory and zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) members, which affects various domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. Some wild animals serve as reservoir hosts in the transmission and epidemiology of the disease. Therefore, the monitoring and surveillance of both wild and domestic hosts are critical for prevention and control strategies. For TB diagnosis, the single intradermal tuberculin test or the single comparative intradermal tuberculin test, and the gamma-interferon test, which is regarded as an ancillary test, are used. Postmortem examination can identify granulomatous lesions compatible with a diagnosis of TB. In contrast, smears of the lesions can be stained for acid-fast bacilli, and samples of the affected organs can be subjected to histopathological analyses. Culture is the gold standard test for isolating mycobacterial bacilli because it has high sensitivity and specificity compared with other methods. Serology for antibody detection allows the testing of many samples simply, rapidly, and inexpensively, and the protocol can be standardized in different laboratories. Molecular biological analyses are also applicable to trace the epidemiology of the disease. In conclusion, reviewing the various techniques used in MTBC diagnosis can help establish guidelines for researchers when choosing a particular diagnostic method depending on the situation at hand, be it disease outbreaks in wildlife or for epidemiological studies. This is because a good understanding of various diagnostic techniques will aid in monitoring and managing emerging pandemic threats of infectious diseases from wildlife and also preventing the potential spread of zoonotic TB to livestock and humans. This review aimed to provide up-to-date information on different techniques used for diagnosing TB at the interfaces between wildlife, livestock, and humans.

Exclusive use of digital PCR allows an absolute assay of heat-killed Lactobacilli in foods targeting multiple copies of 16S rDNA

The real-time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) to amplify a single-copy of house-keeping genes (i.e., hsp60, pheS or tuf) are used for the assay of limited microbial species. In general, with a single-copy gene, there are obviously varied DNA sequences for even the same microbial species, which could cause difficulties with design of primers and probes for PCR when targeting various single copy genes. In general, for identification by dPCR (as a representative case: Lactobacillus paracasei), accumulated DNA sequence information of 16S rDNA, which is much more frequently used, should be targeted. In contrast, next-generation sequencing revealed that there are five copies of 16S rDNA in a live L. paracasei MCC1849. Therefore, we aimed to reveal, if heat-killed L. paracasei supplemented in nutritional foods that aid the host immune system have the relevant five copies per chromosomal DNA, and if the relevant copies remain unchanged on the same chromosomal DNA or remain to be different chromosomal DNA fragments. So, we revealed the actual distribution of the potential original five copies of 16S rDNA using our innovative dPCR, in which both 16S rDNA and hsp60 genes were simultaneously elongated. The molecular ratios of 16S rDNA/hsp60 dispersed in the dPCR chip were then estimated. The 16S rDNA/hsp60 molecular ratios of the heat-killed L. paracasei in foods, resultantly ranged from 5.0 to 7.2, being the same or higher than that of the five copies determined by next-generation sequencing. The 16S rDNA copy number/ratio indicated the chromosomal DNA molecular number and the associated cell number. As significance, different nutritional foods could potentially cause the loss of chromosomal DNA of supplemented beneficial microbes to a much greater degree. Our absolute dPCR does not require standard correlative samples for the estimation of final products. The estimation principle of the ratio of 16S rDNA/a house-keeping single-copy gene by our absolute dPCR could lead to a useful and accurate assay for various nutritional foods.

Aerobic prokaryotes do not have higher GC contents than anaerobic prokaryotes, but obligate aerobic prokaryotes have

Background

Among the four bases, guanine is the most susceptible to damage from oxidative stress. Replication of DNA containing damaged guanines results in G to T mutations. Therefore, the mutations resulting from oxidative DNA damage are generally expected to predominantly consist of G to T (and C to A when the damaged guanine is not in the reference strand) and result in decreased GC content. However, the opposite pattern was reported 16 years ago in a study of prokaryotic genomes. Although that result has been widely cited and confirmed by nine later studies with similar methods, the omission of the effect of shared ancestry requires a re-examination of the reliability of the results.

Results

When aerobic and obligate aerobic prokaryotes were mixed together and anaerobic and obligate anaerobic prokaryotes were mixed together, phylogenetic controlled analyses did not detect significant difference in GC content between aerobic and anaerobic prokaryotes. This result is consistent with two generally neglected studied that had accounted for the phylogenetic relationship. However, when obligate aerobic prokaryotes were compared with aerobic prokaryotes, anaerobic prokaryotes, and obligate anaerobic prokaryotes separately using phylogenetic regression analysis, a significant positive association was observed between aerobiosis and GC content, no matter it was calculated from whole genome sequences or the 4-fold degenerate sites of protein-coding genes. Obligate aerobes have significantly higher GC content than aerobes, anaerobes, and obligate anaerobes.

Conclusions

The positive association between aerobiosis and GC content could be attributed to a mutational force resulting from incorporation of damaged deoxyguanosine during DNA replication rather than oxidation of the guanine nucleotides within DNA sequences. Our results indicate a grade in the aerobiosis-associated mutational force, strong in obligate aerobes, moderate in aerobes, weak in anaerobes and obligate anaerobes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-019-1365-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

On the reconstruction of the ancestral bacterial genomes in genus Mycobacterium and Brucella

BACKGROUND

To reconstruct the evolution history of DNA sequences, novel models of increasing complexity regarding the number of free parameters taken into account in the sequence evolution, as well as faster and more accurate algorithms, and statistical and computational methods, are needed. More particularly, as the principal forces that have led to major structural changes are genome rearrangements (such as translocations, fusions, and so on), understanding their underlying mechanisms, among other things via the ancestral genome reconstruction, are essential. In this problem, since finding the ancestral genomes that minimize the number of rearrangements in a phylogenetic tree is known to be NP-hard for three or more genomes, heuristics are commonly chosen to obtain approximations of the exact solution. The aim of this work is to show that another path is possible.

RESULTS

Various algorithms and software already deal with the difficult nature of the problem of reconstruction of the ancestral genome, but they do not function with precision, in particular when indels or single nucleotide polymorphisms fall into repeated sequences. In this article, and despite the theoretical NP-hardness of the ancestral reconstruction problem, we show that an exact solution can be found in practice in various cases, encompassing organelles and some bacteria. A practical example proves that an accurate reconstruction, which also allows to highlight homoplasic events, can be obtained. This is illustrated by the reconstruction of ancestral genomes of two bacterial pathogens, belonging in Mycobacterium and Brucella genera.

CONCLUSIONS

By putting together automatically reconstructed ancestral regions with handmade ones for problematic cases, we show that an accurate reconstruction of ancestors of the Brucella genus and of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is possible. By doing so, we are able to investigate the evolutionary history of each pathogen by computing their common ancestors. They can be investigated extensively, by studying the gene content evolution over time, the resistance acquisition, and the impacts of mobile elements on genome plasticity.

Evaluation of the airway microbiome in nontuberculous mycobacteria disease

Aspiration is associated with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease and airway dysbiosis is associated with increased inflammation. We examined whether NTM disease was associated with a distinct airway microbiota and immune profile.297 oral wash and induced sputum samples were collected from 106 participants with respiratory symptoms and imaging abnormalities compatible with NTM. Lower airway samples were obtained in 20 participants undergoing bronchoscopy. 16S rRNA gene and nested mycobacteriome sequencing approaches characterised microbiota composition. In addition, inflammatory profiles of lower airway samples were examined.The prevalence of NTM⁺ cultures was 58%. Few changes were noted in microbiota characteristics or composition in oral wash and sputum samples among groups. Among NTM⁺ samples, 27% of the lower airway samples were enriched with Mycobacterium A mycobacteriome approach identified Mycobacterium in a greater percentage of samples, including some nonpathogenic strains. In NTM⁺ lower airway samples, taxa identified as oral commensals were associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers.The 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach is not sensitive in identifying NTM among airway samples that are culture-positive. However, associations between lower airway inflammation and microbiota signatures suggest a potential role for these microbes in the inflammatory process in NTM disease.

DNA markers for tuberculosis diagnosis

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), is an infectious disease with more than 10.4 million cases and 1.7 million deaths reported worldwide in 2016. The classical methods for detection and differentiation of mycobacteria are: acid-fast microscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen staining), culture, and biochemical methods. However, the microbial phenotypic characterization is time-consuming and laborious. Thus, fast, easy, and sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have been developed based on specific DNA markers, which are commercially available for TB diagnosis. Despite these developments, the disease remains uncontrollable. The identification and differentiation among MTBC members with the use of NAATs remains challenging due, among other factors, to the high degree of homology within the members and mutations, which hinders the identification of specific target sequences in the genome with potential impact in the diagnosis and treatment outcomes. In silico methods provide predictive identification of many new target genes/fragments/regions that can specifically be used to identify species/strains, which have not been fully explored. This review focused on DNA markers useful for MTBC detection, species identification and antibiotic resistance determination. The use of DNA targets with new technological approaches will help to develop NAATs applicable to all levels of the health system, mainly in low resource areas, which urgently need customized methods to their specific conditions.

Mycobacterium sarraceniae sp. nov. and Mycobacterium helvum sp. nov., isolated from the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea

Several fast- to intermediate-growing, acid-fast, scotochromogenic bacteria were isolated from Sarracenia purpurea pitcher waters in Minnesota sphagnum peat bogs. Two strains (DL734T and DL739T) were among these isolates. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, the phylogenetic positions of both strains is in the genus Mycobacterium with no obvious relation to any characterized type strains of mycobacteria. Phenotypic characterization revealed that neither strain was similar to the type strains of known species of the genus Mycobacterium in the collective properties of growth, pigmentation or fatty acid composition. Strain DL734T grew at temperatures between 28 and 32 °C, was positive for 3-day arylsulfatase production, and was negative for Tween 80 hydrolysis, urease and nitrate reduction. Strain DL739T grew at temperatures between 28 and 37 °C, and was positive for Tween 80 hydrolysis, urea, nitrate reduction and 3-day arylsulfatase production. Both strains were catalase-negative while only DL739T grew with 5 % NaCl. Fatty acid methyl ester profiles were unique for each strain. DL739T showed an ability to survive at 8 °C with little to no cellular replication and is thus considered to be psychrotolerant. Therefore, strains DL734T and DL739T represent two novel species of the genus Mycobacterium with the proposed names Mycobacterium sarraceniae sp. nov. and Mycobacterium helvum sp. nov., respectively. The type strains are DL734T (=JCM 30395T=NCCB 100519T) and DL739T (=JCM 30396T=NCCB 100520T), respectively.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Prevalent Tuberculosis and Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria in Isfahan, Iran, Based on a 360 bp Sequence of the rpoB Gene

Background

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Mycobacterium species have been based around the 16sRNA gene for many years. However, due to the high strain similarity between species in the Mycobacterium genus (94.3% - 100%), defining a valid phylogenetic tree is difficult; consequently, its use in estimating the boundaries between species is limited. The sequence of the rpoB gene makes it an appropriate gene for phylogenetic analysis, especially in bacteria with limited variation.

Objectives

In the present study, a 360bp sequence of rpoB was used for precise classification of Mycobacterium strains isolated in Isfahan, Iran.

Materials and Methods

From February to October 2013, 57 clinical and environmental isolates were collected, subcultured, and identified by phenotypic methods. After DNA extraction, a 360bp fragment was PCR-amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on consensus sequence data, using MEGA5 software.

Results

Slow and fast-growing groups of the Mycobacterium strains were clearly differentiated based on the constructed tree of 56 common Mycobacterium isolates. Each species with a unique title in the tree was identified; in total, 13 nods with a bootstrap value of over 50% were supported. Among the slow-growing group was Mycobacterium kansasii, with M. tuberculosis in a cluster with a bootstrap value of 98% and M. gordonae in another cluster with a bootstrap value of 90%. In the fast-growing group, one cluster with a bootstrap value of 89% was defined, including all fast-growing members present in this study.

Conclusions

The results suggest that only the application of the rpoB gene sequence is sufficient for taxonomic categorization and definition of a new Mycobacterium species, due to its high resolution power and proper variation in its sequence (85% - 100%); the resulting tree has high validity.

The hidden 'mycobacteriome' of the human healthy oral cavity and upper respiratory tract

The incidence of opportunistic non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections has increased considerably in the past decades causing an array of infections, including respiratory and soft-tissue infections. NTM are ubiquitous and can be found in numerous environments, including households and water plants. However, NTM have not been reported to be associated with the healthy human oral microbiome. Since the oral cavity and upper respiratory track are the main ports of entry of microorganisms into the human body, elucidating NTM diversity and prevalence will assist in the assessment of the potential risks of infection elicited by these opportunistic pathogens. Here, we report the identification of a ‘non-tuberculous mycobacteriome’ in healthy individuals. We employed a modified DNA extraction procedure in conjunction with mycobacterial-specific primers to screen niches in the oral cavity (buccal mucosa and dental plaque) and upper respiratory tract (nostrils and oropharynx) of 10 healthy subjects. A total of 50 prevalent operational taxonomic units sequenced on MiSeq (Illumina) using 16S rRNA V3–V4 region were detected across all screened niches, showing the presence of diverse NTM communities. NTM DNA was detected in the nostrils of all 10 subjects, in buccal mucosa of 8 subjects, in the oropharynx of 7 subjects, and in the dental plaques of 5 subjects. Results from quantitative PCR showed each individual harbored 10³–10⁴ predicted NTM per each screened niche. The modification of standard DNA isolation methods to increase sensitivity toward mycobacterial species represents an important step to advance the knowledge of the oral as well as the overall human microbiome. These findings clearly reveal for the first time that healthy individuals harbor a ‘non-tuberculous mycobacteriome’ in their oral cavity and upper respiratory tract and may have important implications in our understanding of infections caused by NTM.

Evaluation of a low-density hydrogel microarray technique for mycobacterial species identification

In addition to the obligatory pathogenic species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Mycobacterium leprae, the genus Mycobacterium also includes conditionally pathogenic species that in rare cases can lead to the development of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases. Because tuberculosis and mycobacteriosis have similar clinical signs, the accurate identification of the causative agent in a clinical microbiology laboratory is important for diagnostic verification and appropriate treatment. This report describes a low-density hydrogel-based microarray containing oligonucleotide probes based on the species-specific sequences of the gyrB gene fragment for mycobacterial species identification. The procedure included the amplification of a 352-nucleotide fragment of the gene and its hybridization on a microarray. The triple-species-specific probe design and the algorithm for hybridization profile recognition based on the calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients, followed by the construction of a profile database, allowed for the reliable and accurate identification of mycobacterial species, including mixed-DNA samples. The assay was used to evaluate 543 clinical isolates from two regions of Russia, demonstrating its ability to detect 35 mycobacterial species, with 99.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity when using gyrB, 16S, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragment sequencing as the standard. The testing of clinical samples showed that the sensitivity of the assay was 89% to 95% for smear-positive samples and 36% for smear-negative samples. The large number of identified species, the high level of sensitivity, the ability to detect mycobacteria in clinical samples, and the up-to-date profile database make the assay suitable for use in routine laboratory practice.

Rapid detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by use of quenching probe PCR (geneCube)

Early detection of tuberculosis (TB) is essential for infection control. The geneCube (Toyobo) is a novel fully automated gene analyzer that can amplify target DNAs within 60 min. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the geneCube to directly detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in clinical specimens. The results were then compared with those obtained using conventional culture, microscopy, and the Cobas Amplicor assay (Roche). We examined a total of 516 frozen samples from 69 patients who showed culture-positive infection (73 samples; 39 MTBC, 32 MAC, and 2 mixed infections) and from 354 patients who were culture negative (443 samples). Assays using the geneCube had a sensitivity of 85.4% and a specificity of 99.8% for detection of MTBC and a sensitivity of 85.3% and a specificity of 99.8% for detection of MAC. These results are similar to those obtained using the Amplicor system but were obtained much more rapidly (1 h with the geneCube versus 5.5 h with the Amplicor system). The geneCube thus enables a significant shortening of the assay time with no loss of sensitivity or specificity.

Mycobacterium minnesotense sp. nov., a photochromogenic bacterium isolated from sphagnum peat bogs

Several intermediate-growing, photochromogenic bacteria were isolated from sphagnum peat bogs in northern Minnesota, USA. Acid-fast staining and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed these environmental isolates in the genus Mycobacterium, and colony morphologies and PCR restriction analysis patterns of the isolates were similar. Partial sequences of hsp65 and dnaJ1 from these isolates showed that Mycobacterium arupense ATCC BAA-1242(T) was the closest mycobacterial relative, and common biochemical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibilities existed between the isolates and M. arupense ATCC BAA-1242(T). However, compared to nonchromogenic M. arupense ATCC BAA-1242(T), the environmental isolates were photochromogenic, had a different mycolic acid profile and had reduced cell-surface hydrophobicity in liquid culture. The data reported here support the conclusion that the isolates are representatives of a novel mycobacterial species, for which the name Mycobacterium minnesotense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DL49(T) (=DSM 45633(T) = JCM 17932(T) = NCCB 100399(T)).

Performance assessment of the CapitalBio mycobacterium identification array system for identification of mycobacteria

The CapitalBio Mycobacterium identification microarray system is a rapid system for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The performance of this system was assessed with 24 reference strains, 486 Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates, and 40 clinical samples and then compared to the "gold standard" of DNA sequencing. The CapitalBio Mycobacterium identification microarray system showed highly concordant identification results of 100% and 98.4% for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the CapitalBio Mycobacterium identification array for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were 99.6% and 100%, respectively, for direct detection and identification of clinical samples, and the overall sensitivity was 52.5%. It was 100% for sputum, 16.7% for pleural fluid, and 10% for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, respectively. The total assay was completed in 6 h, including DNA extraction, PCR, and hybridization. The results of this study confirm the utility of this system for the rapid identification of mycobacteria and suggest that the CapitalBio Mycobacterium identification array is a molecular diagnostic technique with high sensitivity and specificity that has the capacity to quickly identify most mycobacteria.

The wag31 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is positively regulated by the stringent response

The stringent response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is coordinated by Rel and is required for full virulence in animal models. A serological-based approach identified Wag31(Mtb) as a protein that is upregulated in M. tuberculosis in a rel-dependent manner. This positive regulation was confirmed by analysis of M. tuberculosis mRNA expression. Mycobacterium smegmatis was used to confirm that the expression of wag31(Mtb) from its native promoter is positively regulated by the stringent response. Furthermore, elevated wag31(Mtb) expression in M. smegmatis drastically alters the cell-surface hydrophobic properties.

Multiple-genome comparison reveals new loci for Mycobacterium species identification

To identify loci useful for species identification and to enhance our understanding of the population structure and genetic variability of the genus Mycobacterium, we conducted a multiple-genome comparison of a total of 27 sequenced genomes in the suborder of Corynebacterineae (18 from the Mycobacterium genus, 7 from the Corynebacterium genus, 1 each from the Nocardia and Rhodococcus genera). Our study revealed 26 informative loci for species identification in Mycobacterium. The sequences from these loci were used in a phylogenetic analysis to infer the evolutionary relations of the 18 mycobacterial genomes. Among the loci that we identified, rpoBC, dnaK, and hsp65 were amplified from 29 ATCC reference strains and 17 clinical isolates and sequenced. The phylogenetic trees generated from these loci show similar topologies. The newly identified dnaK locus is more discriminatory and more robust than the widely used hsp65 locus. The length-variable rpoBC locus is the first intergenic locus between two protein-encoding genes being used for mycobacterial species identification. A multilocus sequence analysis system including the rpoBC, dnaK, and hsp65 loci is a robust tool for accurate identification of Mycobacterium species.

Guidelines for interpretation of 16S rRNA gene sequence-based results for identification of medically important aerobic Gram-positive bacteria

This study is believed to be the first to provide guidelines for facilitating interpretation of results based on full and 527 bp 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MicroSeq databases used for identifying medically important aerobic Gram-positive bacteria. Overall, full and 527 bp 16S rRNA gene sequencing can identify 24 and 40 % of medically important Gram-positive cocci (GPC), and 21 and 34 % of medically important Gram-positive rods (GPR) confidently to the species level, whereas the full-MicroSeq and 500-MicroSeq databases can identify 15 and 34 % of medically important GPC and 14 and 25 % of medically important GPR confidently to the species level. Among staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, mycobacteria, corynebacteria, nocardia and members of Bacillus and related taxa (Paenibacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus and Virgibacillus), the methods and databases are least useful for identification of staphylococci and nocardia. Only 0–2 and 2–13 % of staphylococci, and 0 and 0–10 % of nocardia, can be confidently and doubtfully identified, respectively. However, these methods and databases are most useful for identification of Bacillus and related taxa, with 36–56 and 11–14 % of Bacillus and related taxa confidently and doubtfully identified, respectively. A total of 15 medically important GPC and 18 medically important GPR that should be confidently identified by full 16S rRNA gene sequencing are not included in the full-MicroSeq database. A total of 9 medically important GPC and 21 medically important GPR that should be confidently identified by 527 bp 16S rRNA gene sequencing are not included in the 500-MicroSeq database. 16S rRNA gene sequence results of Gram-positive bacteria should be interpreted with basic phenotypic tests results. Additional biochemical tests or sequencing of additional gene loci are often required for definitive identification. To improve the usefulness of the MicroSeq databases, bacterial species that can be confidently identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing but are not found in the MicroSeq databases should be included.