Rapid Identification of pathogenic rapidly growing mycobacteria by PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis.

INTRODUCTION The accuracy and practicality of PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis (PRA) for rapid identification of pathogenic rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) isolates were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHOD PRA identification using an amplified 439-bp segment (amplicon) of the 65-kDa heat shock protein gene was compared to identification by conventional methods, for 39 clinically significant RGM isolates. RESULTS The accuracy of PRA in the identification of RGM isolates was comparable to that of conventional methods. Moreover, PRA was able to identify RGM faster, within 2 to 3 working days compared to conventional methods which require 2 to 4 weeks to perform and complete different tests. CONCLUSION PRA methodology could be easily incorporated into the clinical laboratory setting. This would be beneficial for the management of patients with infections due to pathogenic RGM.