Mycobacterium Heckeshornense Research Articles

A Case of Pulmonary Mycobacterium heckeshornense Infection in which the Causative Microorganism was Difficult to Identify.

A 44-year-old woman underwent a follow-up examination for Crohn's disease 9 years ago. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed an infiltration shadow with a cavity in the right upper lobe. After a CT-guided lung biopsy, epitheloid granuloma was noted, and an acid-fast bacilli examination was smear-positive, but a culture examination was negative. Because the abnormal chest shadow with cavity gradually increased and right shoulder pain appeared, we performed bronchoscopy again six months later. Mycobacterium heckeshornense was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimen, so we diagnosed her with pulmonary M. heckeshornense disease. Isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol were administered, and the abnormal chest shadow improved.

Cold Cas: reevaluating the occurrence of CRISPR/Cas systems in Mycobacteriaceae.

Bacterial CRISPR/Cas systems target foreign genetic elements such as phages and regulate gene expression by some pathogens, even in the host. The system is a marker for evolutionary history and has been used for inferences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for 30 years. However, knowledge about mycobacterial CRISPR/Cas systems remains limited. It is believed that Type III-A Cas systems are exclusive to Mycobacterium canettii and the M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) of organisms and that very few of the >200 diverse species of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) possess any CRISPR/Cas system. This study sought unreported CRISPR/Cas loci across NTM to better understand mycobacterial evolution, particularly in species phylogenetically near the MTBC. An analysis of available mycobacterial genomes revealed that Cas systems are widespread across Mycobacteriaceae and that some species contain multiple types. The phylogeny of Cas loci shows scattered presence in many NTM, with variation even within species, suggesting gains/losses of these loci occur frequently. Cas Type III-A systems were identified in pathogenic Mycobacterium heckeshornense and the geological environmental isolate Mycobacterium SM1. In summary, mycobacterial CRISPR/Cas systems are numerous, Type III-A systems are unreliable as markers for MTBC evolution, and mycobacterial horizontal gene transfer appears to be a frequent source of genetic variation.

Kavernöse nichttuberkulöse Mykobakteriose der Lunge durch M. heckeshornense bei einem HIV-infizierten Patienten

Since we first described Mycobacterium heckeshornense, a rare species of mycobacteria in 2000, only 21 cases of infection with this mycobacterium have been described in humans. We relate the diagnosis and therapy of another case of this uncommon nontuberculous mycobacterium in an immune-suppressed patient.

Complete Genome Sequencing of Mycobacterium heckeshornense Strain JMUB5695, Isolated from Necrotizing Granulomatous Lesions.

ABSTRACTWe report the complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium heckeshornense strain JMUB5695, which was isolated from necrotizing granulomatous lesions in a lung cancer patient. The complete genome consists of a 4,865,109-bp chromosome with a GC content of 65.9% and contains no plasmids.

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium heckeshornense JCM 15655T, Closely Related to a Pathogenic Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Species, Mycobacterium xenopi.

Mycobacterium heckeshornense is a slow-growing mycobacterial species for which pathogenic features are unclear. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an M. heckeshornense type strain. This sequence will provide essential information for future taxonomic and comparative genome studies of these mycobacteria.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Mycobacterium heckeshornense Clinical Isolate.

ABSTRACTWe report here the draft genome sequence of Mycobacterium heckeshornense, isolated from the sputum of a patient admitted to a tuberculosis hospital with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.

First description of Mycobacterium heckeshornense infection in a feline immunodeficiency virus-positive cat.

A 13-year-old cat was presented to the veterinary clinic with poor condition, vomiting and a reduced appetite. A painful abdomen was diagnosed because of tension and defence reactions on palpation. Diagnostic laparotomy showed a thickening of the colon and caecal intestinal wall. Histopathological investigation of intestinal biopsies revealed focal severe granulomatous inflammation with numerous acid-fast bacilli in the tela submucosa. The complete blood count test showed a severe lymphopenia and anaemia, and the cat tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cat was euthanased and necropsied. Multifocal granulomatous nodules were present in the intestines, liver and kidneys. The gastric lymph node was markedly enlarged and showed a caseous cut surface. Histopathology revealed a systemic mycobacteriosis affecting intestine, lymph nodes, liver and kidneys. The mycobacterial strain was cultured and determined by its unique 16S rRNA gene sequence as Mycobacterium heckeshornense. This is the first reported case of M heckeshornense in a cat. It was suspected that the disseminated mycobacteriosis was supported by the FIV infection.

Mycobacterium heckeshornense peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient: a case report and review of the literature

We report the first case of peritonitis attributed to Mycobacterium heckeshornense. This is a rare, non-tuberculous mycobacterium that has been reported as an aetiological agent in a growing number and widening spectrum of infections.

Microbiologically identified isolates of Mycobacterium heckeshornense in two patients

To identify mycobacteria isolated from sputa of a 51-year-old female and a 72-year-old male patient with pneumoconiosis. Mycobacteria species were isolated from sputa of a 51-year-old female. The culture was always negative in spite of positive smears before the final isolation in 1988. A 72-year-old male patient suffered from pneumoconiosis and the acid-fast bacillus was isolated by routine sputum examination in 2003. These two strains of acid-fast bacilli were identified as Mycobacterium heckeshornense by partial sequencing of 16S rRNA and rpoB and conventional methods (biochemical and routine culture methods). These two strains grew on 1% Ogawa's slant medium at 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C, but not at 28 degrees C. They formed yellowish colonies in the dark (Scotochromogen). They were classified as a slowly growing Mycobacteria. As it was difficult to distinguish M. heckeshornense from M. xenopi by conventional methods including growth rate, temperature range of mycobacterial growth, light coloration reaction, biochemical and biological tests, virulence using guinea pigs and drug susceptibility test were further explored. Finally two were identified as M. heckeshornense by summing of these results. Mycobacteria species that grow at 42 degrees C for four weeks, imply M. xenopi with a DDH method. It is essential to perform both sequencing of 16S rRNA and rpoB gene and a biochemical method for the purpose of distinguishing M. heckeshornense from M. xenopi.

Mycobacterium heckeshornense Lung Infection that was Diagnosed as Mycobacterium xenopi Disease by DNA-DNA Hybridization (DDH)

The DNA sequencing analyses of the 16S rRNA gene, rpoB and hsp65 were conducted to characterize six strains that had been identified as Mycobacterium xenopi by DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) for past ten years in our hospital. The results revealed Mycobacterium heckeshornense infection in one of the six cases. A 47-year-old man, who had been treated for pneumonia, had pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. The sputa from the patient were culture positive for mycobacterium in three times. And it was diagnosed as M. xenopiby DDH method. Chest X-ray showed fibrocavitary lesion in right upper lobe was successfully treated with clarithromycin for four weeks.

Mycobacterium heckeshornenseInfection in HIV-infected Patient

<i>Mycobacterium heckeshornense</i>Infection in HIV-infected Patient

Isolation of mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium avium from porcine lymph nodes

Mycobacterium avium causes lymphadenitis in pigs. This presents an economical burden, as these pigs meat is considered inappropriate for consumption. In humans, lymphadenitis due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) primarily affects children and is caused by a variety of NTM, though M. avium predominates. Mycobacterial culture was undertaken on lymph nodes of 107 slaughter pigs from a single pig farm. A high number of pigs with mycobacterial lymphadenitis were identified by culture. A commercial line probe assay and 16S rDNA gene sequencing were used to assess the frequency of disease due to mycobacteria other than M. avium. Forty-five pigs had mandibular lymph node samples yielding mycobacteria in culture. The majority yielded M. avium (39; 87%) only. One yielded M. avium and Mycobacterium palustre, five yielded only NTM other than M. avium (2 yielded Mycobacterium malmoense, 1 Mycobacterium bohemicum, 1 Mycobacterium heckeshornense and a possibly novel species related to Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, and 1 grew a possibly novel species related to M. palustre). Several NTM species other than M. avium were cultured from porcine lymph nodes. The species distribution shows interesting parallels with human NTM lymphadenitis. Molecular typing and environmental sampling studies are required to identify the sources of these infections.

Mycobacterium heckeshornenseLumbar Spondylodiskitis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving Etanercept Treatment

To the Editor: Biologics directed against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are highly effective in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)1. There are significant concerns, however, surrounding opportunistic infections including reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2. Infection with atypical mycobacteria has also been reported3. Mycobacterium heckeshornense is a recently described non-tuberculous mycobacterium species first identified in 20004. There are limited reports of its isolation as a pathogen in immunocompetent patients causing cavitary lung disease, recurrent lung infection, and tenosynovitis4–6. We describe the first reported case of lumbar spondylodiskitis with M. heckeshornense infection in a patient with RA treated with etanercept. A 51-year-old Caucasian man presented with a … Address correspondence to J. Leiter, Pan Am Clinic, 75 Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3M 3E4.

Mycobacterium heckeshornense: An emerging pathogen responsible for a recurrent lung infection

Mycobacterium heckeshornense was responsible for a severe, recurrent and chronic pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent 65-year-old woman. The pathogen, initially identified as Mycobacterium xenopi and considered as a contaminant, led to a delayed adapted antimicrobial treatment. Although M. heckeshornense is phenotypically closely related to M. xenopi, its pathogenicity is noticeably higher. Accurate molecular diagnosis methods and treatment guidelines are needed to improve the management of patients infected by this uncommon pathogen.

Mycobacterium heckeshornense tenosynovitis

We describe the first case of tenosynovitis due to Mycobacterium heckeshornense, a mycobacterium characterized in 2000 and only incriminated in a few previous cases of infections. Molecular identification of this pathogen included 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequencing. M. heckeshornense may cause a wide spectrum of human infectious diseases and may be underestimated due to its phenotypic relatedness with Mycobacterium xenopi.

Different molecular methods for the identification of rarely isolated non-tuberculous mycobacteria and description of new hsp65 restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns

Analysis of heat shock protein 65 ( hsp65) gene restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is done frequently to identify non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) on a genetic basis. Here we report the results of analysing the hsp65 patterns of some rarely isolated NTM for which patterns have not been published before ( Mycobacterium bohemicum, Mycobacterium hassiacum, Mycobacterium heckeshornense, Mycobacterium monacense, and Mycobacterium triplex). Furthermore new hsp65-variants for Mycobacterium interjectum (type II), Mycobacterium mucogenicum (type V), Mycobacterium gordonae (type VIII) and Mycobacterium paraffinicum (perhaps synonymous to Mycobacterium scrofulaceum) are described. All species were characterised by hsp65-RFLP, sequencing a 441-bp fragment of the hsp65 gene and sequencing the hypervariable region of the 16S rDNA. Additional data for less frequently isolated mycobacteria are provided and the hitherto described data for the Mycobacterium gordonae complex are summarised. Although the hsp65-RFLP analysis turned out to be a useful method a number of restraints (lack of standardisation, slight variability in fragment length) limits its broader use. Reliable identification of NTM needs, however, more than one molecular method. Identification results obtained by applying different methods yielded conflicting results. Confusion may be caused by older data base entries which are not updated and not longer reflect the actual systematic and taxonomy of the genus Mycobacterium.

Gas-chromatographic lipid profiles in identification of currently known slowly growing environmental mycobacteria.

Cellular fatty acid analysis by GLC is widely used in the species identification of mycobacteria. Combining mycolic acid cleavage products with shorter cellular fatty acids increases the informative value of the analysis. A key has been created to aid in the identification of all currently known slowly growing environmental species. In this scheme, the species are classified into six categories, each characterized by a combination of fatty markers shared by those species. Within each category, individual species may be distinguished by the presence or absence of specific marker substances, such as methyl-branched fatty acids or secondary alcohols. This study also describes earlier unpublished GLC profiles of 14 rare, slowly growing, environmental mycobacteria, Mycobacterium asiaticum, Mycobacterium botniense, Mycobacterium branderi, Mycobacterium conspicuum, Mycobacterium cookii, Mycobacterium doricum, Mycobacterium heckeshornense, Mycobacterium heidelbergense, Mycobacterium hiberniae, Mycobacterium kubicae, Mycobacterium lentiflavum, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium triplex and Mycobacterium tusciae. Though no single identification technique alone, even sequencing of an entire single gene such as 16S rRNA, can identify all mycobacterial species accurately, GLC has proven to be both reliable and reproducible in the identification of slowly growing mycobacteria. In cases of earlier unknown species, it generates useful information that allows their further classification and may lead to the description of novel species.