Molecular Epidemiology of Mycobacterium abscessus, with Focus on Cystic Fibrosis

摘要: Mycobacterium abscessus has been isolated increasingly often from the respiratory tracts of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. It is not known whether these organisms are transmitted person to or acquired environmental sources. Here, colony morphology and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern were examined for 71 isolates M. derived 14 CF patients, three non-CF patients with chronic infection colonization, one patient mastoiditis, four infected wounds, as well six identified contaminants in various clinical specimens. Contaminants wound mainly exhibited smooth morphology, while a rough phenotype was significantly associated airway colonization (P = 0.014). Rough strains may exhibit increased airway-colonizing capacity, cause which remains be determined. Examination by PFGE consecutive same showed that they all represented single strain, even cases where both present. When patterns compared, it shown 24 had unique strains, harbored indistinguishable PFGE. Two siblings CF. The other two whom CF, contact each siblings. Our results show most colonized airways have indicating derive environment patient-to-patient transmission rarely occurs.