Evaluation of MALDI Biotyper Mycobacteria Library for Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria.

The Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) platform was assessed on its ability to accurately identify 314 nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) representing 73 species. All NTM isolates, representing 183 rapidly growing and 131 slowly growing organisms, were previously identified by Sanger DNA sequencing of the full-length 16S rRNA gene, and region V of the rpoB gene. An optimized version of the Bruker bead-beating procedure for protein extraction of NTM isolates was used to ensure high quality spectra for all NTM isolates, including less frequently encountered species. NTM spectra were analyzed using Bruker's research use only, Mycobacteria Library v6.0, supplemented by the MicrobeNet database. Identification of NTM by MALDI-TOF had an accuracy of 94% (296/314). The identification accuracy for rapidly growing mycobacteria was higher at 99% (182/183) than it was for slowly growing mycobacteria at 87% (114/131). While MALDI-TOF performed well against Sanger sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene alone, there were 11 species that required additional sequencing of rpoB. Most discrepancies between MALDI-TOF and sequencing results are likely due to underrepresentation of some species in the libraries used. Overall, the results of this study support Bruker's MALDI-TOF platform as an accurate and reliable method for the identification of NTM.

Mycobacterium decipiens sp. nov., a new species closely related to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Two mycobacterial strains with close similarity to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) were isolated from cutaneous lesions of patients in the USA and Italy. At the phenotypic level, similarities to the MTBC included slow growth rate, rough morphotype of the unpigmented colonies and nearly identical high-performance liquid chromatography profiles of mycolic acids. In contrast to the MTBC, the strains were niacin- and nitrate-negative, and catalase-positive both at 68 °C and in semi-quantitative tests. The clinical isolates were more closely related to M. tuberculosis than to any other known mycobacterium and scored positive with commercial DNA probes (Hologic AccuProbe M. tuberculosis). Both average nucleotide identity and genome-to-genome distance suggested the strains are different from the MTBC. Therefore, given the distinguishing phenotypic and genomic-scale differences, we submit that the strains belong to a new species we have named Mycobacteriumdecipiens with type strain TBL 1200985T (=ATCC TSD-117T=DSM 105360T).

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacteriumchimaera Strain CDC2015-22-71.

Mycobacterium chimaera is a nontuberculous mycobacterium species commonly found in the environment. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of a strain from the investigation of invasive infections following open-heart surgeries that used contaminated LivaNova Sorin Stockert 3T heater-cooler devices.

A Novel Rapidly Growing Mycobacterium Species Causing an Abdominal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst Infection.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a rare cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections. We describe the isolation and identification of a novel, rapidly growing, nonpigmented NTM from an abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. The patient presented with fevers, nausea, and abdominal pain and clinically improved after shunt removal. NTM identification was performed by amplicon and whole-genome sequencing.

Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium wolinskyi, a Rapid-Growing Species of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria.

Mycobacterium wolinskyi is a nonpigmented, rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium species that is associated with bacteremia, peritonitis, infections associated with implants/prostheses, and skin and soft tissue infections often following surgical procedures in humans. Here, we report the first functionally annotated draft genome sequence of M. wolinskyi CDC_01.

Tenosynovitis caused by a novel nontuberculous Mycobacterium species initially misidentified as a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

We present a case of tenosynovitis caused by a novel, slowly growing, nonchromogenic, nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). Originally misidentified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, the NTM cross-reacts with the M. tuberculosis complex nucleic acid hybridization probe, a M. tuberculosis gamma interferon release assay, and is closely related to M. tuberculosis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Notes from the field: rapidly growing nontuberculous Mycobacterium wound infections among medical tourists undergoing cosmetic surgeries in the Dominican Republic--multiple states, March 2013-February 2014.

In August 2013, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (MDHMH) was notified of two persons with rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterial (RG-NTM) surgical-site infections. Both patients had undergone surgical procedures as medical tourists at the same private surgical clinic (clinic A) in the Dominican Republic the previous month. Within 7 days of returning to the United States, both sought care for symptoms that included surgical wound abscesses, clear fluid drainage, pain, and fever. Initial antibiotic therapy was ineffective. Material collected from both patients' wounds grew Mycobacterium abscessus exhibiting a high degree of antibiotic resistance characteristic of this organism.

Mycobacterium chelonae facial infections following injection of dermal filler.

UNLABELLED: A cluster of 3 facial Mycobacterium chelonae infections occurred after cosmetic dermal filler injections at a plastic surgery clinic. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that M chelonae isolated from the clinic tap water were identical to the patient wound isolates. Review of injection procedures identified application of nonsterile ice to the skin prior to injection as a possible source of M chelonae. Surveys of regional laboratories and a national plastic surgery listserv identified no other cases related to the injection of this brand of dermal filler. This is the first report of cutaneous M chelonae infections following the injection of dermal fillers. It adds to a growing body of literature on postinjection M chelonae infections and reinforces the importance of optimal skin disinfection steps prior to percutaneous procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

High quality draft genome sequence of Segniliparus rugosus CDC 945(T)= (ATCC BAA-974(T)).

Segniliparus rugosus represents one of two species in the genus Segniliparus, the sole genus in the family Segniliparaceae. A unique and interesting feature of this family is the presence of extremely long carbon-chain length mycolic acids bound in the cell wall. S. rugosus is also a medically important species because it is an opportunistic pathogen associated with mammalian lung disease. This report represents the second species in the genus to have its genome sequenced. The 3,567,567 bp long genome with 3,516 protein-coding and 49 RNA genes is part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, Human Microbiome Project.

Utility of high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of mycolic acids and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing for routine identification of Mycobacterium spp. in a national reference laboratory.

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of mycolic acids and partial gene sequencing for the first 500-bp 5' end of the 16S rRNA gene were used singularly and in combination to evaluate the final identification of species. Examination of 200 cultures revealed 100 strains of slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM), 91 strains of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), and 9 strains of other genera. SGM were discriminated in complexes with both methods for 56 strains, composed primarily of the Mycobacterium spp.: Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium terrae, and Mycobacterium simiae-Mycobacterium lentiflavum. For RGM, 73 strains were associated with complexes designated as Mycobacterium abscessus-Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium fortuitum-Mycobacterium peregrinum, and Mycobacterium mucogenicum-Mycobacterium phocaicum. Consistent identification of all the isolates differentiated to single species within the Mycobacterium genus was not possible with either test method. Sequencing results often distinguished complexes containing fewer species, and combining the results from each method increased the confidence of identifying the correct species.