[PFGE analysis of Mycobacterium kansasii isolates in Okayama Prefecture].

OBJECT

To investigate the epidemiology of M. kansasii infections in Okayama Prefecture and to consider the mode of infection of M. kansasii on the basis of the PFGE results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

22 M. kansasii isolates of pulmonary infections from 22 patients treated between 1977 and 1993 in Okayama Prefecture were investigated by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using restriction endonuclease Vsp I. In addition, the tap water from five companies in the Mizushima Industrial Area was cultured to investigate the source of infection of this disease.

RESULTS

These M. kansaii isolates were found to be clustered into four or five by PFGE during different. From the tap water, M. kansasii was not detected.

CONCLUSIONS

From the result of the PFGE, it was considered that the infection sourse of M. kansasii in Okayama Prefecture was living in a common environment or a district.