Mycobacterium Farcinogenes Research Articles

Skin infection by Mycobacterium farcinogenes–senegalense group in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

BackgroundMycobacterium farcinogenes–senegalense group mostly cause bovine farcy, which rarely infect human beings. We reported one case of cutaneous Mycobacterium farcinogenes–senegalense group infection in an immunocompetent victim.Case presentationA 66-year-old Taiwanese woman with hypertension developed tender nodules on her left dorsal foot for 2 months. Tissue culture identified Mycobacterium farcinogenes–senegalense group. The lesion was treated successfully with clarithromycin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, followed by surgical excision.ConclusionsMycobacterium farcinogenes–senegalense group infection should be considered as a potential pathogen of skin infection in immunocompetent patients.

Erratum for Sodsai et al., "Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium farcinogenes Strains Isolated from Clinical Specimens from Patients in Thailand".

Erratum for Sodsai et al., "Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium farcinogenes Strains Isolated from Clinical Specimens from Patients in Thailand".

Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium farcinogenes Strains Isolated from Clinical Specimens from Patients in Thailand.

ABSTRACTMycobacterium farcinogenes is a nonchromogenic, slowly growing mycobacterium that is responsible for bovine farcy. Here, we report two complete genome sequences of Mycobacterium farcinogenes strains isolated from skin and liver abscesses from patients in Thailand.

Profile of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Patients Suspected of Tuberculosis and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Objective Infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing globally and may present as drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB). In India, data on NTM prevalence and species diversity is limited. Present study was conducted to detect the prevalence and profile of NTM among patients suspected of DRTB using paraffin slide culture (PSC)and mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) culture methods for isolation of NTM. Material and Method A total of 2,938 samples suspected of TB/DRTB were cultured on PSC and MGIT960. Species identification of mycobacterial isolate was done by sequencing of 16s ribosomal RNA gene. Result Among 2938 samples, 35 (1.19%) were found positive for NTM by PSC and 9 (0.30%) were found positive by MGIT. The diversity of NTM species was high (13 species). Out of 35 NTM isolates by PSC, maximum 34.29% (12) isolates were found to be Mycobacterium fortuitum , followed by 11.43% (4) Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium chelonae , and 42.85% (15) were other species viz. 8.57% (3) were Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium kansasii , 5.71% (2) were Mycobacterium peregrinum , and 2.85% (1) were Mycobacterium flavescens, Mycobacterium farcinogenes, Mycobacterium moriokanese, Mycobacterium wolinskyi, Mycobacterium simiae, Mycobacterium goodii , and Mycobacterium terrae each. Coinfection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and NTM was found in 60% (21) samples. Conclusion Prevalence of NTM was low among multidrug resistant tuberculosis/TB suspected patients, similar to other studies done in India. PSC was found better than MGIT for the isolation of NTM, though poor separation of NTM and MTB on subculture may have led to false negativity in cases of coinfection. About 13 species were isolated; M. fortuitum was the most common of all. Since coinfection of NTM and TB can also occur, samples of patients suspected of NTM should be cultured on PSC even if positive for MTB.

Mycobacterium syngnathidarum sp. nov., a rapidly growing mycobacterium identified in syngnathid fish.

Two closely related isolates, 27335T and 24999, of rapidly growing, non-pigmented mycobacteria, were cultured from two clinically ill fish of the family Syngnathidae. Whole genome sequencing of the two isolates revealed low sequence homology to documented mycobacteria within public databases such as the NCBI. Evaluation of targeted housekeeping genes, including 16S rRNA, ITS, rpoB and hsp65, related the two bacteria distantly to Mycobacterium senegalense CK2 M4421 and Mycobacterium farcinogenes DSM 43637. Phenotypic, biochemical and dDNA-DNA hybridization tests demonstrated that Mycobacterium syngnathidarum is a new species distinct from other recognized rapidly growing mycobacterial species. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data evaluation provided evidence that the two strains represent one novel species. We propose the formal recognition of Mycobacterium syngnathidarum sp. nov., with isolate 27335T as the type strain (=ATCC TSD-89T,=DSM 105112T).

Mycobacterium farcinogenes and Mycobacterium senegalense as new environmental threats

Background: Mycobacterium farcinogenes and Mycobacterium senegalense are the causes of the bovine farcy, a chronic granulomatous disease of the skin of zebu cattle. The zoonotic potential of these bacteria is unclear. The high contamination rate of these bacteria (as species of nontuberculous mycobacteria) has been reported in environmental samples. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of these bacteria in the water and soil environment in four suburbs of Tehran, Iran. Methods: A total of 4014 soil and water samples were collected from four areas of Tehran including Robat Karim, Firuzkuh, Shahr-e-Ray, and Varamin. In each city, at least one sample was collected per 1002 m. The sediment samples were cultured on the Lowenstein–Jensen medium. Twice a week was observed to study the growth of colony, morphology, and pigmentation. Colonies were studied using phenotypic tests. Molecular analysis was also carried out on colonies. Results: Among samples, the number of collected water samples was 48.48% (1946/4014), and the number of soil samples was 51.51% (2068/4014). Results of cultures from collected samples showed that 21.47% (862/4014) of them were positive. Among the studied areas, Rabat Karim has been identified as the most polluted region (169/480; 35%). The abundance of M. farcinogenes has been dominant in Ray. The least infection has been reported in Varamin. Conclusion: The results showed that the prevalence of these two strains was very high in water and soil. Due to these two strains are the main and effective factors of bovine farcy in zebu cattle (the most farmed cows in Iran), surveillance of the zoning potential of this disease is very important.

Pseudo-Outbreak of Mycobacterium farcinogenes senegalense Group in Sputum Cultures in the Intensive Care Unit at a Veterans Administration Hospital

Pseudo-Outbreak of Mycobacterium farcinogenes senegalense Group in Sputum Cultures in the Intensive Care Unit at a Veterans Administration Hospital

Mycobacterium lutetiense sp. nov., Mycobacterium montmartrense sp. nov. and Mycobacterium arcueilense sp. nov., members of a novel group of non-pigmented rapidly growing mycobacteria recovered from a water distribution system.

From our recent survey of non-pigmented rapidly growing mycobacteria in the Parisian water system, three groups of isolates (taxons 1-3) corresponding to possible novel species were selected for taxonomic study. The three taxa each formed creamy white, rough colonies, had an optimal growth temperature of 30 °C, hydrolyzed Tween 80, were catalase-positive at 22 °C and expressed arylsulfatase activity. All three were susceptible to amikacin, ciprofloxacin and tigecycline. The three taxa produced specific sets of mycolic acids, including one family that has never previously been described, as determined by thin layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance. The partial rpoB sequences (723 bp) showed 4-6 % divergence from each other and more than 5 % differences from the most similar species. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 99 % identity within each species. The most similar sequences for 16S rRNA genes (98-99 % identity over 1444-1461 bp) were found in the Mycobacterium fortuitum group, Mycobacterium septicum and Mycobacterium farcinogenes. The three taxa formed a new clade (bootstrap value, 99 %) on trees reconstructed from concatenated partial 16S rRNA, hsp65 and rpoB sequences. The above results led us to propose three novel species for the three groups of isolates, namely Mycobacterium lutetiense sp. nov. [type strain 071T=ParisRGMnew_1T (CIP 110656T=DSM 46713T)], Mycobacterium montmartrense sp. nov. [type strain 196T=ParisRGMnew_2T (CIP 110655T=DSM 46714T)] and Mycobacteriu marcueilense sp. nov. [type strain of 269T=ParisRGMnew_3T (CIP 110654T=DSM 46715T)].

Role of Amblyomma lepidum in the transmission of Mycobacterium farcinogenes, the causal agent of Bovine farcy

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of Amblyomma lepidum in the transmission of Mycobacterium farcinogenes, the causal agent of bovine farcy in Sudan. A total of 22 samples comprising of prescapular, submaxillary, mediastinal, parotid, retropharengeal and pulmonary lymph nodes, and subcutaneous nodules were collected for this study. M. farcinogenes was successfully isolated from the specimens by following traditional bacteriological techniques, and the bacteria were identified using standard biochemical assays, lipid analysis using Thin Layer Chromatography, and duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction. Larvae and nymphs of A. lepidum acquired M. farcinogenes from experimentally infected rabbits, and subsequently transmitted the infection to fresh rabbits within a maximum period of ten weeks. In contrast, adult A. lepidum failed to contract the organism from the infected rabbits; so, trans-ovarian transmission could be ruled out. In conclusion, this study confirmed the trans-stadial transmission of M. farcinogenes through larvae and nymphs of A. lepidum.

Rapid identification of environmental NTM species using molecular genotyping

Background and objectiveNontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) are free-living saprophytes that are found in water, soil, animals and dairy products. During recent years, advances in molecular biology improved the recovery and accuracy of NTM identification. In the present study, similar approaches were used to differentiate environmental NTM. For this reason, the prevalence of environmental NTM in soil and water in two densely populated areas of Tehran were investigated. Material and methodsA total of 2,540 samples were collected from soil (n=1237) and water (n=1303) resources. For the soil sample: digestion and decontamination were performed using modified Engbaeks method, and for the water sample: decontamination followed with ethylpyridinium chloride (CPC; final concentration of 0.05%) and standard protocol. The phenotypic and genotyping tests were performed on all positive cultures. For molecular tests, both 16S-23S RNA and hsp65 genes spacer PCR-RFLP were used. ResultsOf the 2,540 collected samples, 285 (12%) were positive for mycobacterium. One hundred and sixty-nine (169; 60%) belonged to a slow growing mycobacteria (SGM) and 116 (41%) were rapid growing mycobacteria (RGM). The most frequent NTM were identified as Mycobacterium farcinogenes (51/485; 10.5%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (38/485; 7.8%). However, M. farcinogenes is found to be dominant in both studied areas, but the frequency of RGM was different. In Shahre-ray, Mycobacterium senegalense was identified as the most frequent RGM (22/65; 34%), while in Varamin, M. fortuitum (20/51; 40%) had the most frequency. ConclusionThe molecular genotyping methods facilitate the rapid identification of environmental NTM. As the higher prevalence of NTM within a region increases the risk of human infection, this study outlines the importance of further investigation.

Current Perspectives on Mycobacterium farcinogenes and Mycobacterium senegalense, the Causal Agents of Bovine Farcy.

Mycobacterium farcinogenes and M. senegalense are the causal agents of bovine farcy, a chronic, progressive disease of the skin and lymphatics of zebu cattle. The disease, which is prevalent mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, was in earlier times thought to be caused by Nocardia farcinica and can be described as one of the neglected diseases in cattle. Some aspects of the disease have been investigated during the last five decades but the major development had been in the bacteriological, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic aspects. Molecular analyses confirmed that M. farcinogenes and M. senegalense fall in a subclade together with M. houstonense and M. fortuitum. This subclade is closely related to the one accommodating M. peregrinum, M. porcinum, M. septicum, M. neworleansense, and M. alvei. DNA probes were designed from 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer and could be used for the rapid diagnosis of bovine farcy. An ELISA assay has been evaluated for the serodiagnosis of the disease. The zoonotic potentials of M. farcinogenes and M. senegalense are unknown; few studies reported the isolation of M. senegalense and M. farcinogenes from human clinical sources but not from environmental sources or from other domestic or wild animals.

Evaluation of ELISA in the serodiagnosis of bovine farcy

Mycobacterium farcinogenes is the causal agent of bovine farcy, a chronic infectious disease of zebu cattle in some parts of tropical Africa. Whole cell homologous antigen of M. farcinogenes was used in the standardization and evaluation of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of circulating antibodies against bovine farcy using sera from confirmed bovine farcy and from bovine farcy-free cattle. The cut-off optical density (OD) value was decided at 1.8 using filter 405 nm after one hour of incubation at 37 degrees C. Accordingly, 115 out of 124 (92.7%) serum samples from clinically proven bovine farcy cattle were reported sero-positive. Sera from cattle infected with M. avium and M. paratuberculosis revealed OD value <1.8, indicating the differential diagnostic ability of M. farcinogenes antigen. Our test sensitivity was 92.7% and specificity was 97%, therefore could be routinely employed to support early clinical diagnosis, epidemiological surveys and for screening animals before exportation to farcy-free regions.

Mycobacterium farcinogenes Infection After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Atypical mycobacterium infection after total hip arthroplasty is a very rare but a potential cause of implant failure. We present the first report of Mycobacterium farcinogenes infection in human beings. Although the treatment of atypical mycobacterium infection after total hip arthroplasty is controversial, we successfully treated the infection in this case, after consultation with a microbiologist regarding infection management, with both surgery and chemotherapy. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for atypical mycobacterium infection, particularly when standard culture findings are negative despite strong clinical evidence of prosthesis infection.

Novel diagnostic algorithm for identification of mycobacteria using genus-specific amplification of the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer and restriction endonucleases.

A novel genus-specific PCR for mycobacteria with simple identification to the species level by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was established using the 16S-23S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) spacer as a target. Panspecificity of primers was demonstrated on the genus level by testing 811 bacterial strains (122 species in 37 genera from 286 reference strains and 525 clinical isolates). All mycobacterial isolates (678 strains among 48 defined species and 5 indeterminate taxons) were amplified by the new primers. Among nonmycobacterial isolates, only Gordonia terrae was amplified. The RFLP scheme devised involves estimation of variable PCR product sizes together with HaeIII and CfoI restriction analysis. It yielded 58 HaeIII patterns, of which 49 (84%) were unique on the species level. Hence, HaeIII digestion together with CfoI results was sufficient for correct identification of 39 of 54 mycobacterial taxons and one of three or four of seven RFLP genotypes found in Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium kansasii, respectively. Following a clearly laid out diagnostic algorithm, the remaining unidentified organisms fell into five clusters of closely related species (i.e., the Mycobacterium avium complex or Mycobacterium chelonae-Mycobacterium abscessus) that were successfully separated using additional enzymes (TaqI, MspI, DdeI, or AvaII). Thus, next to slowly growing mycobacteria, all rapidly growing species studied, including M. abscessus, M. chelonae, Mycobacterium farcinogenes, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium peregrinum, and Mycobacterium senegalense (with a very high 16S rDNA sequence similarity) were correctly identified. A high intraspecies sequence stability and the good discriminative power of patterns indicate that this method is very suitable for rapid and cost-effective identification of a wide variety of mycobacterial species without the need for sequencing. Phylogenetically, spacer sequence data stand in good agreement with 16S rDNA sequencing results, as was shown by including strains with unsettled taxonomy. Since this approach recognized significant subspecific genotypes while identification of a broad spectrum of mycobacteria rested on identification of one specific RFLP pattern within a species, this method can be used by both reference (or research) and routine laboratories.

Mycobacterium tusciae sp. nov.

A new, slow-growing, scotochromogenic mycobacterium was isolated from a lymph node of an immunocompromised child and subsequently from tap water and from a respiratory specimen of a patient with chronic fibrosis. Alcohol-acid-fastness, lipid patterns and the G + C content clearly support the placement of this organism in the genus Mycobacterium. The isolates grew very slowly at temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees C and showed activities of nitrate reductase, catalase, urease, arylsulfatase and Tween 80 hydrolysis. The organism was susceptible to all antimycobacterial drugs tested. The 16S rDNA sequence was unique and phylogenetic analysis placed the organism close to fast-growing species such as Mycobacterium farcinogenes, Mycobacterium komossense and Mycobacterium aichiense. These data support the conclusion that the isolates represent a new mycobacterial species, for which the name Mycobacterium tusciae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain FI-25796T; a culture of this strain has been deposited in the DSMZ as strain DSM 44338T.

Rapid growth and increased biomass yield of Mycobacterium farcinogenes and some related taxa in broth and agar media.

A broth medium containing yeast extract (4 g/l), glucose (15 g/l), magnesium sulphate (0.5 g/l), tri-sodium citrate (1.5 g/l), potassium sulphate (0.5 g/l), ammonium ferric citrate (trace) and buffered with potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (5 g/l) was formulated and found to support a luxuriant growth of Mycobacterium farcinogenes strains that was superior to the conventional media used before. Similar results were obtained with M. senegalense strains and with representatives of the genera Gordona, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Rhodococcus and Tsukamurella. Out of 13 diverse agar-based media, M. farcinogenes was found to grow particularly well on Mueller Hinton's medium, followed, in order of decreasing growth rate, by modified Bennett's, DST, tryptic soya and glucose yeast extract agars.

Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of glycolipids and mycolic acids from Mycobacterium farcinogenes, Mycobacterium senegalense and related taxa

Seventy-nine representative strains of Mycobacterium farcinogenes, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium peregrinum and Mycobacterium senegalense were analysed by thin-layer chromatography for diagnostic glycolipid and mycolic acid patterns. On the basis of glycolipid patterns the 16 M. senegalense strains were assigned to four groups (I, II, III and IV); one strain received as M. farcinogenes had glycolipids that corresponded to those given by the M. senegalense group III strain. Representatives of M. fortuitum produced alkalilabile glycolipids whereas the M. peregrinum strains produced alkali-stable glycopeptidolipids related to those of M. senegalense group I. Members of M. senegalense groups I, III and IV and the M. farcinogenes strains gave the characteristic pattern consisting of alpha- and epoxymycolates on thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the products of alkaline hydrolysis with 5% aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. Extraction of mycolates from the same strains using acid methanolysis revealed alpha-mycolates and characteristic more polar long-chain components originating from epoxymycolates. In contrast, the M. senegalense group II strains contained an additional more polar omega-1 methoxymycolate that was detected from both acid and alkaline hydrolysates; this spot was also seen in some M. fortuitum and M. peregrinum strains. Preliminary investigations, using a combination of thin-layer chromatography and immunostaining, showed that glycopeptidolipids from M. peregrinum and M. senegalense group I strains were antigenic, a cross-reaction between members of these taxa was shown. In contrast, no reaction was detected between glycopeptidolipids extracted from M. peregrinum and M. senegalense group I strains with antisera from either M. farcinogenes or M. fortuitum.

Bovine farcy: A clinico-pathological study of the disease and its aetiological agent

An extensive survey for bovine farcy covering 14,192 animals was conducted in the Sudan. The incidence of the disease was 31.9 per cent in Western Sudan which is regarded as an endemic area. Animals were examined clinically and at post-mortem. The lesions involved the prescapular, femoral, parotid, retropharyngeal, submaxillary, inguinal and mediastinal lymph nodes. Some animals had farcy lesions in the udder and some developed the pulmonary form of the disease. The disease is slow, but progressive in nature and was more prevalent among adult cattle than calves. Mycobacterium farcinogenes was found to be the cause of bovine farcy in the Sudan. The morphological and biochemical characteristics, and the mycolic acid content of the isolated strains were found to be identical to the reference strains of M. farcinogenes and were quite different from reference strains of Nocardia farcinica from which they were easily distinguished by the presence of alpha-mycolate, alpha'-mycolate and epoxymycolate in M. farcinogenes. Hydrolysis of mycolic acids with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and the precipitation with toluene and acetonitrile gave good results comparable with acid methonalysis and alkaline hydrolysis. Precipitin lines were detected in the sera of some farcy-infected cattle. Histopathological examination of farcy lesions revealed a severe granulomatous reaction characterized by lymphocyte, macrophage, epithelioid and giant cell infiltration as well as marked fibrous proliferation. These changes were indicative of a progressive disease of the delayed tuberculin hypersensitivity type.

Concurrent infection with Mycobacterium farcinogenes and Actinobacillus lignièresi in slaughtered cattle

Concurrent infection with Actinobacillus lignieressi and Mycobacterium farcinogenes was detected in slaughtered cattle. The lesions were confined to the retropharyngeal, mandibular and parotid lymph nodes. The actinobacillus granulomas were seen either inside the caseous lesions or between the caseous part and the epithelioid zone of bovine farcy granuloma. In concomitant infections, actinobacillosis was always in the early active phase, whereas in actinobacillosis alone, active as well as healed stages were encountered.

On the aetiology of bovine farcy in the Sudan.

Fifteen strains of the agent of bovine farcy were isolated from lymph nodes of affected cattle. Quantitative analyses of mycolic acids revealed values that allowed the assignment of these strains to the genus Mycobacterium. The organisms bore a greater resemblance to Mycobacterium farcinogenes than to Mycobacterium senegalense.