Author/Authors :
Hashemi-Shahraki, Abdolrazagh Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Heidarieh, Parvin Department of Bacteriology and Immunology - School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj , Biranvand, Maryam Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Zaker Bostanabad, Saeed Department - Islamic Azad University-Parand Branch, Tehran , Sheikhi, Nasrin , Hashemzadeh, Mohamad Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Karami, Masume Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Feizabadi, Mohammad Mehdi Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background and Objectives: The increase of infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is receiving
increasing attention worldwide. Mycobacterium fortuitum is encountered with increasing frequency in clinical laboratories
of Iran.
Materials and Methods: Sequence variation of 48 M. fortuitum clinical isolates, were investigated by sequence analysis of
the 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacer.
Results: Twelve different sequence types (sequevar) were identified by sequence analysis of ITS region. Seven previously
described sequevar including MfoA, MfoB, MfoC, MfoD, MfoE, MfoF and MfoG identified. Five novel sequevar namely
MfoH, MfoI, MfoJ, MfoK and MfoL that were distinctly different from the previously described sequevar were detected
among different clinical strains of M. fortuitum, from Iran.
Conclusion: This study showed that the ITS region possesses high discriminatory power between the clinical isolates up
to the clonal level. The results also suggest the possibility of the existence of predominant clone of M. fortuitum in affected
patients in Iran. The data also point to the conclusion that a large variety of M. fortuitum clone can produce disease although
certain clones seem to be predominant.
