Identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria: 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis vs. conventional methods.

In a retrospective study, 45 clinical isolates of non-tuberculous mycobacteria were identified to the species level by biochemical profile, gas liquid chromatography and partial sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, and were found to represent 13 different species. The results of sequence analysis showed 100% identity with conventional tests for 34 isolates (76%) and could identify species such as M. bohemicum which are difficult to characterise with conventional methods. Most of the discrepant results for the remaining 11 isolates resulted in species of the same group of mycobacteria. Based on these findings. we concluded that direct sequence analysis of amplified 16S rRNA gene is a promising rapid and accurate method for species determination of non-tuberculous mycobacteria.