Comparative study of two typing methods, hsp65 PRA and ITS sequencing, revealed a possible evolutionary link between Mycobacterium kansasii type I and II isolates

One hundred and ninety-eight clinical isolates of Mycobacterium kansasii collected between 2003 and 2004 in Japan were genotyped by PCR and restriction enzyme analysis (PRA) and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. The results demonstrated that clinical isolates of M. kansasii in Japan are almost exclusively of the type I PRA genotype, as is the case in other countries. Although the results of subtyping using the 16S-23S ITS sequence were generally consistent with subtyping using hsp65 PRA, four strains showed a discrepancy between the two methods. Sequence analysis of the hsp65, gyrB and 16S rRNA genes and the ITS sequence of the four strains suggests that they branched from type II and could be considered an ancestral strain of the type I strain. The newly recognized strains were designated as intermediate type I.     

Genetic diversity in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium avium complex from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa

Isolates of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) were cultured from sputum samples obtained from patients in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Twenty-eight isolates hybridising with MAC probe (AccuProbe) were further characterised by different molecular techniques: hybridisation with species-specific probes (AccuProbe) for M. avium and M. intracellulare, partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and PCR detection of the DT1-DT6 sequences and the macrophage-induced gene (mig). Only one of the 28 isolates reacted with the M. avium probe and four with the M. intracellulare probe. Two isolates expressed the DT1 sequence, and three the DT6. The mig was detected in 18 (64%) of the isolates. Sequencing of 16S rRNA had the greatest discriminative power of the typing methods applied, without strong correlation with any other technique. Clinical MAC isolates from Guinea-Bissau demonstrated a wide genetic diversity among the members of M. avium complex that might reflect on biotope variation.     

Direct identification of slowly growing Mycobacterium species by analysis of the intergenic 16S-23S rDNA spacer region (ISR) using a GelCompar II database containing sequence based optimization for restriction fragment site polymorphisms (RFLPs) for 12 enzymes

To obtain Mycobacterium species identification directly from clinical specimens and cultures, the 16S-23S rDNA spacer (ISR) was amplified using previously published primers that detect all Mycobacterium species. The restriction enzyme that could potentially produce the most restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) was determined from all available ISR DNA sequences in GenBank to produce a novel data set of RFLPs for 31 slowly growing Mycobacterium species. Subsequently a GelCompar II database was constructed from RFLPs for 10 enzymes that have been used in the literature to differentiate slowly growing Mycobacterium species. The combination of Sau96I and HaeIII were the best choice of enzymes for differentiating clinically relevant slowly growing Mycobacterium species. A total of 392 specimens were studied by PCR with 195 negative and 197 positive specimens. The ISR-PCR product was digested with HaeIII (previously reported) and Sau96I (new to this study) to obtain a Mycobacterium species identification based on the ISR-RFLPs. The species identification obtained by ISR-RFLP was confirmed by DNA sequencing (isolate numbers are shown in parentheses) for M. avium (3), M. intracellulare (4), M. avium complex (1), M. gordonae (2) and M. tuberculosis (1). The total number of specimens (99) identified were from culture (67), Bactectrade mark 12B culture bottles (11), EDTA blood (3), directly from smear positive specimens (13), tissue (4) and urine (1). Direct species identification was obtained from all 13/13 smear positive specimens. The total number of specimens (99) were identified as M. tuberculosis (41), M. avium (7), M. avium complex (11), M. intracellulare MIN-A (20), M. flavescens (2), M. fortuitum (10), M. gordonae (4), M. shimoidei (1), M. ulcerans (1) and M. chelonae (2). This method reduces the time taken for Mycobacterium species identification from 8-10 weeks for culture and biochemical identification; to 4-6 weeks for culture and ISR-RFLP; to 2 days for smear-positive specimens by ISR-RFLP. The precise 2 day identification obtained may provide significant advantages in clinical management.     

Simultaneous identification of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analysis of the RNA polymerase gene (rpoB)

Interspecies variations and mutations associated with rifampin resistance in rpoB of Mycobacterium allow for the simultaneous identification of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria by PCR-SSCP analysis and PCR- sequencing. One hundred and ten strains of rifampin-susceptible M. tuberculosis, 14 strains of rifampin-resistant M. tuberculosis, and four strains of the M. avium complex were easily identified by PCR-SSCP. Of another seven strains, which showed unique SSCP patterns, three were identified as rifampin-resistant M. tuberculosis and four as M. terrae complex by subsequent sequence analysis of their rpoB DNAs (306 bp). These results were concordant with those obtained by susceptibility testing, biochemical identification, and 16S rDNA sequencing.     

Molecular differentiation of Renibacterium salmoninarum isolates from worldwide locations

Renibacterium salmoninarum is a genospecies that is an obligate pathogen of salmonid fish and is capable of intracellular survival. Conventional typing systems have failed to differentiate isolates of R. salmoninarum. We used two methods to assess the extent of molecular variation which was present in isolates from different geographic locations. In one analysis we investigated possible polymorphisms in a specific region of the genome, the intergenic spacer (ITS) region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. In the other analysis we analyzed differences throughout the genome by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). We amplified the spacer region of 74 isolates by using PCR and performed a DNA sequence analysis with 14 geographically distinct samples. The results showed that the 16S-23S ribosomal DNA spacer region of R. salmoninarum is highly conserved and suggested that only a single copy of the rRNA operon is present in this slowly growing pathogen. DNA sequencing of the spacer region showed that it was the same length in all 14 isolates examined, and the same nucleotide sequence, sequevar 1, was obtained for 11 of these isolates. Two other sequevars were found. No tRNA genes were found. We found that RAPD analysis allows reproducible differentiation between isolates of R. salmoninarum obtained from different hosts and different geographic regions. By using RAPD analysis it was possible to differentiate between isolates with identical ITS sequences.     

Molecular analysis of 16S–23S spacer regions ofAcetobacter species

16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) similarities were determined in 8 Acetobacter and 1 Gluconacetobacter strains. ITS-PCR amplification of the 16S-23S spacers showed 2 products of similar size in 7 strains; only 1 product of similar size was found in the 2 remaining strains. Analysis of the PCR products using restriction endonucleases HaeIII, HpaII and AluI revealed 3 different restriction groups of A. pasteurianus for AluI and HaeIII, and 4 restriction groups for HpaII. ITS nucleotide sequences of all studied strains exhibited a 52-98% similarity.     

Variation of 16S-23S internally transcribed spacer sequence and intervening sequence in rDNA among the three major Agrobacterium species

We analyzed 16S-23S internally transcribed spacer (ITS) and neighboring sequences among 37 strains belonging to the three major pathogenic Agrobacterium species, in order to know variation in each species and to develop a simple discrimination method. Number of ITS size variation was 9, 4, and 7 in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Agrobacterium vitis, and Agrobacterium rhizogenes, respectively. The ITS sequence of most strains in each species was distinguishable from that of the other two species. The region surrounded by 16S rRNA gene and trn(Ala) contained information to distinguish between the ITS variants and was easy for sequencing. Intervening sequences (IVSs) in 23S rRNA gene were classified into short and long types in each species. Some long-type IVSs of A. vitis were very similar to that of A. tumefaciens, while the other long-type IVSs of A. vitis were very similar to that of A. rhizogenes. Two A. vitis strains simultaneously contained both types of IVS. Similarly, the two exceptional A. vitis strains possessed A. tumefaciens-type ITS in addition to A. vitis-type ITS. These results suggest horizontal transfer of rDNA and subsequent recombination. Among the three species, A. tumefaciens was most variable based on 16S rRNA gene, ITS and IVS sequences.     

The use of DNA probes identifying restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms to examine the Mycobacterium avium complex

DNA probes were used to identify restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in DNA samples, demonstrating that the Mycobacterium avium complex could be clearly divided into M. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare strains. Less than 2% DNA base substitution was found between M. avium strains, whereas the M. intracellulare strains had greater than 15% base substitution. The Johne's disease bacillus, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (American type strain), was found to be distinguishable from the M. avium complex serotypes examined. Strain 18 was found to be identical to M. avium. The rat leprosy bacillus, Mycobacterium lepraemurium, was found to be very closely related, but not identical, to M. avium.     

Multiphasic approach reveals genetic diversity of environmental and patient isolates of Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium phocaicum associated with an outbreak of bacteremias at a Texas hospital

Between March and May 2006, a Texas hospital identified five Mycobacterium mucogenicum bloodstream infections among hospitalized oncology patients using fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of mycolic acids. Isolates from blood cultures were compared to 16 isolates from environmental sites or water associated with this ward. These isolates were further characterized by hsp65, 16S rRNA, and rpoB gene sequencing, hsp65 PCR restriction analysis, and molecular typing methods, including repetitive element PCR, random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of large restriction fragments. Three of five patient isolates were confirmed as M. mucogenicum and were in a single cluster as determined by all identification and typing methods. The remaining two patient isolates were identified as different strains of Mycobacterium phocaicum by rpoB sequence analysis. One of these matched an environmental isolate from a swab of a hand shower in the patient's room, while none of the clinical isolates of M. mucogenicum matched environmental strains. Among the other 15 environmental isolates, 11 were identified as M. mucogenicum and 4 as M. phocaicum strains, all of which were unrelated by typing methods. Although the 16S rRNA gene sequences matched for all 14 M. mucogenicum isolates, there were two each of the hsp65 and rpoB sequevars, seven PCR typing patterns, and 12 PFGE patterns. Among the seven M. phocaicum isolates were three 16S rRNA sequevars, two hsp65 sequevars, two rpoB sequevars, six PCR typing patterns, and six PFGE patterns. This outbreak represents the first case of catheter-associated bacteremia caused by M. phocaicum and the first report of clinical isolates from a U.S. hospital. The investigation highlights important differences in the available typing methods for mycobacteria and demonstrates the genetic diversity of these organisms even within narrow confines of time and space.     

Unbiased analyses of ITS folding motifs in a taxonomically confusing lineage: Anagnostidinema visiae sp. nov. (cyanobacteria)

Cyanobacteria are diverse prokaryotic, photosynthetic organisms present in nearly every known ecosystem. Recent investigations around the world have recovered vast amounts of novel biodiversity in seldom sampled habitats. One phylogenetically significant character, the secondary folding structures of the 16S–23S ITS rDNA region, has allowed an unprecedented capacity to erect new species. However, two questions arise: Is this feature as informative as is proposed, and how do we best employ these features? Submerged sinkholes with oxygen-poor, sulfur-rich ground water in Lake Huron (USA) contain microbial mats dominated by both oxygenic and anoxygenic cyanobacteria. We sought to document some of this unique cyanobacterial diversity. Using culture-based investigations, we recovered 45 strains, of which 23 were analyzed employing 16S–23S rDNA sequences, ITS folding patterns, ecology, and morphology. With scant morphological discontinuities and nebulous 16S rDNA gene sequence divergence, ITS folding patterns were effective at articulating cryptic biodiversity. However, we would have missed these features had we not folded all the available motifs from the strains, including those with highly similar 16S rDNA gene sequences. If we had relied solely on morphological or 16S rDNA gene data, then we might well have missed the diversity of Anagnostidinema. Thus, in order to avoid conformation basis, which is potentially common when employing ITS structures, we advocate clustering strains based on ITS rDNA region patterns independently and comparing them back to 16S rDNA gene phylogenies. Using a total evidence approach, we erected a new taxon according to the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants: Anagnostidinema visiae.     

基于16S-23S rDNA 间隔区序列（ITS）、REP序列的基因指纹图谱及UPGMA聚类法的拟诺卡菌属分类方法

拟诺卡菌属（Nocardiopsis）是拟诺卡菌科（Nocardiopsaceae） 的唯一属．该属内进行物种鉴别时通常是在多相分类方法基础上,以全基 因组杂交同源性在70%以下的为不同物种,此为国际公认的定种标准;但在 进行大量菌株的比对时操作比较复杂,于是多种基于DNA的基因图谱技术发 展起来．本实验利用适宜引物,对拟诺卡菌属15株基准株基因组DNA的16S -23S rDNA 间隔区序列（ITS）和REP序列进行了扩增,获得了两种基因指 纹图谱,同时根据UPGMA聚类法构建了相应的进化距离树图．结果表明,对 于拟诺卡菌属中不同物种的区分,两种基因图谱技术的分辨力相当,均可 以较好的呈现物种间差异,可以作为拟诺卡菌属菌株多相分类的组成部分 ,应用于物种水平的分类与鉴定．     

Discrimination of Mycobacterium avium- Mycobacterium intracellulare strains by genomic DNA fingerprinting with a 16S rRNA gene probe

Abstract Ribotyping was investigated as a means of distinguishing ten different serotyped reference strains and seven epidemiologically unrelated isolates of Mycobacterium avium - Mycobacterium intracellulare using a labelled 16S rDNA probe. Thirteen restriction enzymes were screened towards an accurate discrimination of strins. Two selected restriction enzymes ( Sac I and Cla I) enabled us to classify the 17 strains into ten ribotypes with an index of discrimination of 0.897. Typeability and reproductibility of the method reached 100%. The patterns obtained exhibited polymorphism of RE fragments within and outside the 16S rRNA gene and may be useful for epidemiological studies.     

Expression profiles of low molecular mass heat shock proteins by Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare

Closely related non-tuberculous mycobacterial species, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare, were compared for the profiles of their production of low molecular mass heat shock proteins at 45 degrees C, by performing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of bacterial cell lysate proteins. All of the M. intracellulare but not M. avium strains potently increased the production of the 18-kDa heat shock protein, when cultured at 45 degrees C. Half of the M. intracellulare strains with high sensitivity to 45 degrees C produced not only the 18-kDa heat shock protein but also the 16-kDa heat shock protein at 45 degrees C. These findings indicate that M. avium and M. intracellulare differentially respond to 45 degrees C heat shock in terms of the production of low molecular mass heat shock proteins.     

Fusobacterium canifelinum sp. nov., from the oral cavity of cats and dogs

Fourteen strains of Gram-negative, anaerobic, fluoroquinolone-resistant, non-sporulating rods were isolated from various infections in cats and dogs, as well as from wounds in humans after cat- or dog-bites. These strains were characterized by sequencing of the 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, 16S rDNA, DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic tests. The results indicate that the novel strains belong to a distinct species, closely related to Fusobacterium nucleatum. The species Fusobacterium canifelinum sp. nov. is proposed, with strain ATCC BAA 689T as the type strain.     

Molecular characterization of Serratia marcescens strains by RFLP and sequencing of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer

AIMS: To establish the specific DNA patterns in 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) regions from different kinds of Serratia marcescens strains using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequences analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two pairs of primers based on the 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA IGS were applied to amplify the rrn operons of two kinds of S. marcescens strains. About 1500 bp for 16S rDNA and four fragments of different sizes for 16S-23S rDNA IGS were obtained. PCR-amplified fragments were analysed by RFLP and sequence analysis. Two distinct restriction patterns revealing three to five bands between two kinds of strains were detected with each specific enzyme. According to the sequence analysis, two kinds of strains showed approximately 97% sequence homology of 16S rDNA. However, there was much difference in the sequences of IGS between the two kinds of strains. Intercistronic tRNA of strains H3010 and A3 demonstrated an order of tRNA of 5'-16S-tRNA(Ala)-tRNA(Ile)-23S-3', but strain B17 harboured the tRNA of 5'-16S-tRNA(Glu)-tRNA(Ile)-23S-3'. CONCLUSIONS: The method was specific, sensitive and accurate, providing a new technique for differentiating different strains from the same species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This paper provided the first molecular characterization of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA IGS from S. marcescens strains.     

PCR with subsequent sequencing of the 16S gene rRNA in species identification of mycobacteria of the non-tuberculosis complex

One hundred of mycobacterium cultures were assayed by the method of PCR with subsequent sequencing of the 16S rRNA region. The below mycobacterium species were identified: M. tuberculosis complex (n = 55), M. avium (n = 17), M. intracellulare (n = 4), M. scrofaleceum (n = 2), M. kansasii - M. gastri (n = 3), M. gordonae (n = 3), M. ulcerans - M. marinum (n = 1), M. smegmatis (m = 2), M. fortuitum (n = 11), M. peregrinum (n = 1) and M. chelonae - M. abscessus (n = 1). The method enabled the differentiation of species M. avium from M. intracellulare and M. peregrinum from M. fortuitum, which could not be differentiated by using the classic biochemical and bacteriological methods. Genetic heterogeneity of the mycobacterium strains of M. avium, M. fortuitum and M. gordonae was also established by PCR plus sequencing of the 16S rRNA region.     

Phylogenetic analysis and identification of different serovars of Mycobacterium intracellulare at the molecular level

Comparative 16S rRNA sequencing was used to infer the phylogenetic relationship among different serovars of the Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare complex as well as to define signature nucleotides characteristic for different serovars. In general, the groups defined by rRNA sequencing reflect the classification obtained with sensitin tests and pathogenicity examinations in chickens. Unique 16S rRNA sequence patterns could be defined for (1) M. avium, (2) M. intracellulare serovars 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11, (3) M. intracellulare serovars 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 and 20, (4) M. intracellulare serovar 7 and (5) M. intracellulare serovar 18. Phylogenetically, groups 1 and 2 on one hand and groups 3, 4 and 5 on the other hand each share a common ancestor. M. paratuberculosis was indistinguishable from M. intracellulare serovars 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 by this kind of analysis.     

Transfer of 'Thermoactinomyces glaucus' IFO 12530 and 'Thermoactinomyces monosporus' IFO 14050 to the genus Saccharomonospora as members of Saccharomonospora glauca

Two available strains of 'Thermoactinomyces glaucus' and 'Thermoactinomyces monosporus', 'T. glaucus' IFO 12530 and 'T. monosporus' IFO 14050, were considered not to be members of the genus Thermoactinomyces and that they belonged to the genus Saccharomonospora on the basis of the colors of colonies and 16S rDNA sequences. Some chemotaxonomic characteristics also showed that the two strains belong to the genus Saccharomonospora. The two strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, and arabinose in the cell wall and MK-9(H(4)) as the predominant menaquinone. The genomic DNAs of the two strains had a G+C content of 69 mol%. The 16S rDNAs of 'T. glaucus' IFO 12530 and 'T. monosporus' IFO 14050 showed only 1 and 2 bp sequence differences, respectively, from that of the type strain of Saccharomonospora glauca. Furthermore, the two strains of 'T. glaucus' and 'T. monosporus' and the type strain of S. glauca shared identical 16S-23S rDNA ITS sequences. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness confirm that the two strains of 'T. glaucus' and 'T. monosporus' are members of Saccharomonospora glauca. Therefore it is proposed that 'T. glaucus' IFO 12530 and 'T. monosporus' IFO 14050 should be considered as strains belonging to Saccharomonospora glauca.     

Cloning and sequencing of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA internal spacer region (ISR) from urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC)

AIMS: To clone and sequence the 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA internal spacer region (ISR) from urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC). METHODS AND RESULTS: The primer sets for 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA ISR amplified almost the full length of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA ISR. About 1500 bp for 16S rDNA and about 720 bp for 16S-23S rDNA ISR of the rrn operon of four strains of UPTC were identified after molecular cloning and sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: The four strains and CCUG18267 of UPTC showed approximately 99% sequence homology of 16S rDNA to each other, 96-97% to Camp. coli, 97-98% to Camp. jejuni and 97-98% to Camp. lari. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: For the first time, the nucleotide sequence of 16S-23S rDNA ISR of UPTC has been analysed. The sequence of ISR was almost identical among the four strains of UPTC. It is interesting that the UPTC intercistronic tRNAs demonstrated an order of tRNA of 5'-16S-tRNAAla-tRNAIle-23S-3' in the organisms.