Journal List > Korean J Lab Med > v.27(1) > 1011429

Kang, Yoo, Park, Song, and Kim: Usefulness of Multiplex Real-Time PCR and Melting Curve Analysis in Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

Abstract

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) should be correctly identified to the species level, because of different treatment plans among NTM species. This study was performed to assess the usefulness of real-time PCR and melting curve analysis in the identification of NTM.

Methods

One hundred fifty-two clinical NTM isolates were identified to the species level by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA). Those strains were then identified by multiplex real-time PCR and melting curve analysis on the 16S rRNA gene and hsp65 gene.

Results

In the 16S rRNA gene fragment analysis, M. abscessus-M. chelonae group showed melting point at temperatures above 65°C and M. avium complex (MAC; M. avium and M. intracelluare) below 48°C, which differentiated M. abscessus-M. chelonae group and MAC from other NTM. In the hsp65 gene fragment analysis, M. abscessus-M. chelonae group was clearly divided into M. abscessus type I, M. abscessus type II, and M. chelonae according to the melting points at 61.25°C, 66.06°C, and 57.58°C, respectively.

Conclusions

With the multiplex real-time PCR and melting curve analysis of 16S rRNA and hsp65 genes, M. abscessus and M. chelonae were readily identified and MAC were differentiated from other NTM. Especially, M. abscessus and M. chelonae, which were not differentiated from each other with the 16S rRNA gene fragment analysis, were identified with hsp65 gene fragment analysis.

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Table 1.
Primers and probes used in real-time polymerase chain reaction and melting curve analysis
Genes Primers and probes (5′→3′)
16S rRNA Forward primer: GAG TTT GAT CCT GGC TCA GGA
  Reverse primer: TGC ACA CAG GCC ACA AGG GA
  LightCycler Red 705-CAA AAG CTT TGC ACC ACT CAC
  GGC CGC GGG CCC ATC CCA CAC-fluorescein
hsp65 Forward primer: ACC AAC GAT GGT GTG GCC AT
  Reverse primer: CTT GTC GAA CCG CAT ACC CT
  LightCycler Red 640-GGT GGT GGT GCC GTC ACC
  GAG CCT GGG CAA GCA CGG TGG-fluorescein
Table 2.
Melting point temperatures of the 16S rRNA gene fragment in the 705 nm channel
Mycobacteria species N of isolates
Mean (°C) Range (°C) SD (°C)
Tested Amplified
M. abscessus 21 21 65.62 65.28–66.22 0.24
M. chelonae 3 3 65.30 65.21–65.36 0.08
M. septicum 10 10 53.97 53.29–56.71 1.05
M. peregrinum 5 5 53.85 53.42–54.64 0.48
M. fortuitum 14 14 53.49 53.17–53.84 0.17
M. margeritense 8 8 53.34 53.11–53.47 0.13
M. mucogenicum 6 6 53.14 53.07–53.22 0.05
M. pulveris 2 2 53.03 53.02–53.03 0.01
M. nonchromogenicum 9 9 51.68 48.81–53.81 1.85
M. shimoidei 5 5 49.86 48.72–53.52 2.06
M. gordonae 3 3 48.98 48.79–49.14 0.18
M. scrofulaceum 4 4 48.93 48.67–49.29 0.26
M. kansasii 10 10 48.57 46.99–49.36 0.65
M. asiaticum 3 3 47.67 46.82–48.69 0.95
M. avium complex (MAC) 46 46 46.70 46.05–47.51 0.34
M. avium 29 29 46.89 46.60–47.51 0.22
M. intracelluare 17 17 46.39 46.05–47.14 0.28
M. smegmatis 3 3 46.41 46.11–46.63 0.27
MTB complex 5 0 No    
    amplification      

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; MTB complex, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Table 3.
Melting point temperatures of the hsp65 gene fragment in the 640 nm channel
Mycobacteria species N of isolates
Mean (°C) Range (°C) SD (°C)
Tested Amplified
M. abscessus type I 6 6 61.25 60.95–62.01 0.39
M. abscessus type II 15 15 66.06 65.31–66.59 0.41
M. chelonae 3 3 57.58 57.54–57.62 0.04
M. septicum 10 10 53.39 50.45–56.43 2.39
M. peregrinum 5 5 55.73 52.54–56.95 1.81
M. fortuitum 14 14 53.84 52.18–56.64 1.88
M. margeritense 8 8 52.52 52.06–52.96 0.24
M. mucogenicum 6 6 60.13 59.97–60.29 0.23
M. pulveris 2 1 59.87    
M. nonchromogenicum 9 7 62.41 54.68–66.91 4.13
M. shimoidei 5 1 60.07    
M. gordonae 3 0 No amplification    
M. scrofulaceum 4 0 No amplification    
M. kansasii 10 0 No amplification    
M. asiaticum 3 0 No amplification    
M. avium complex (MAC) 46 0 No amplification    
M. avium 29 0 No amplification    
M. intracelluare 17 0 No amplification    
M. smegmatis 3 0 No amplification    
MTB complex 5 0 No amplification    

Abbreviations: See Table 2.

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