Mycobacterium iranicum sp. nov., a rapidly growing scotochromogenic species isolated from clinical specimens on three different continents.

The isolation and characterization of a novel, rapidly growing, scotochromogenic mycobacterial species is reported. Eight independent strains were isolated from clinical specimens from six different countries of the world, two in Iran, two in Italy and one in each of following countries: Greece, The Netherlands, Sweden and the USA. Interestingly, two of the strains were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid. The strains were characterized by rapid growth and presented orange-pigmented scotochromogenic colonies. DNA-based analysis revealed unique sequences in the four regions investigated: the 16S rRNA gene, the rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer 1 and the genes encoding the 65 kDa heat-shock protein and the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase. The phylogenetic analysis placed the strains among the rapidly growing mycobacteria, being most closely related to Mycobacterium gilvum. The genotypic and phenotypic data both strongly supported the inclusion of the strains investigated here as members of a novel species within the genus Mycobacterium; the name Mycobacterium iranicum sp. nov. is proposed to indicate the isolation in Iran of the first recognized strains. The type strain is M05(T) ( = DSM 45541(T) = CCUG 62053(T) = JCM 17461(T)).

Report of two cases of Mycobacterium europaeum from Iran.

Herein, we report repeated isolation of Mycobacterium europaeum from the sputum samples of an Iranian human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient and a cystic fibrosis patient with chronic pulmonary disease. To our knowledge, this is the first isolation of M. europaeum from human clinical specimens in Asia to be reported.

Genetic diversity of Iranian clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In the current study we aimed to execute a rather less complicated molecular tying method, i.e. the random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to find the heterogeneity of Iranian strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The isolates comprised a total of 96 strains of M. tuberculosis collected from clinical specimens of patients in Isfahan and Tehran. The isolates were assigned to the species M. tuberculosis by the key conventional and molecular methods. They were then subjected to RAPD analysis by four arbitrary primers, namely, the primers 27F, 1525R, MS- GF and INS-2. They were then evaluated for the number and intensity of the band patterns. The RAPD profiles of the Iranian isolates showed a degree of heterogeneity which varied based on the primer used. However, analysis of the isolates by primer INS-2 revealed the highest degree of diversity yielding 31 distinguishable RAPD types. RAPD analysis provides a rapid and easy means of identifying heterogeneity among the M. tuberculosis isolates. This typing system might be considered a valuable alternative molecular typing for countries with limited resources provided that the reproducibility and reliability of the method is carefully assured.

Chronic pulmonary disease due to Mycobacterium monacense infection: the first case from Iran.

We herein report a case in which the recently characterized species Mycobacterium monacense was isolated from the sputum of an Iranian patient. This case represents the first isolation of M. monacense from Iran. The isolate was identified by conventional and molecular techniques. Our findings show that M. monacense infection is not restricted to developed countries.

Species identification of neglected nontuberculous mycobacteria in a developing country.

In developing countries where tuberculosis is still a health challenge, the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases is expected to rise as medical conditions that compromise the immune system become more widespread. In the current study, we aimed to determine the presence and diversity of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) causing infections in Iranian patients. Sixty-seven clinical NTM isolates were identified using conventional and molecular methods, including PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA) and 16S rRNA sequencing. Out of 67 patients with confirmed mycobacterial infection, 29 had an associated immunosuppressive syndrome, including 9 who were HIV-infected. Forty-nine NTM isolates were identified using PRA, and the remaining 18 isolates were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. We obtained the following results: Mycobacterium fortuitum, 30 isolates; M. kansasii, 12 isolates; M. gordonae, 8 isolates; M. porcinum, 3 isolates; M. conceptionense, 3 isolates; M. phlei, 2 isolates; and M. austroafricanum, M. avium, M. elephantis, M. intracellulare, M. lentiflavum, M. monacense, M. parascrofulaceum, and M. thermoresistibile, 1 isolate each; and 1 potentially novel mycobacterial species. With regard to the complexity of identification, it is recommended that laboratory diagnosis of NTM diseases be centralized by strengthening or setting up quality national and regional infrastructure.

First report on isolation and molecular characterization of clinical Mycobacterium setense isolates in Asia.

We herein present the third set of documented clinical Mycobacterium setense cases. Three clinically unrelated isolates were identified and characterized using various key conventional and molecular diagnostic tests. Phenotypic and molecular data analysis, particularly 16S rDNA, hsp65, and rpoB sequencing, provided evidence of M. setense involvement in clinical infections in Iranian patients. Our findings may shed light on the capability of this rare Mycobacterium sp. to cause infection in both healthy and immunocompromised patients.