Nontuberculosis Mycobacteria: Isolation from clinical samples in Iraq.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM), defined as any mycobacterial strain other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, are a diverse group of pathogens that cause a substantive, but often unappreciated worldwide burden of illness. NTM cause illness similar to M. tuberculosis, but generally do not respond to classic tuberculosis (TB) drug regimens. Here, we evaluated GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS (Hain Lifesciences) for rapid identification of NTM and compared its results with those of other biochemical tests.

METHODS

During the study interval from February 2015 to August 2015, samples were tested by GenoType Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) for differentiation of MTB complex, and NTM isolates obtained from patients were analyzed with the GenoType Mycobacterium CM assays for common mycobacteria.

RESULTS

All samples tested were M. tuberculosis (typical), except samples from sputum that was negative according to Geno Type MTBC results. All isolates were analyzed with the Geno Type Mycobacterium CM (for common mycobacteria) assays, which correctly identified the species as Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium simiae.

CONCLUSION

GenoType testing of Mycobacteria species using GenoType MTBC and GenoType Mycobacterium CM constitutes a reliable, rapid, simple, and easy-to-interpret assay. Moreover, it appears suitable for use in our region, since it identified all mycobacterial species.