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 method- ology could be easily incorporated into the clinical laboratory setting. This would be beneficial for the management of patients with infections due to pathogenic RGM. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2005;34:137-40