Rapid detection and identification of Mycobacterium avium by amplification of 16S rRNA sequences

An assay that is based on the amplification of 16S rRNA sequences and that was initially developed to detect Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in cattle was used to test 20 serotypes of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and atypical mycobacterial species not belonging to MAC. Only serotypes 1 to 6 and 8 to 11, designated M. avium, were detected by the assay, indicating that it can be used for the rapid detection and identification of M. avium. The results of the assay for clinical samples from animals suspected of having mycobacterial infections indicated that it can also be used directly on clinical samples. Mycobacteria are widespread in nature and remain an important cause of infections in humans and animals world-wide (17, 18, 25). Disease is most often associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other bacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex (M. bovis, M. africanum, and M. microti). There is, however, an increasing incidence of opportunistic infections caused by other mycobacterial spe-cies that otherwise grow in diverse biotopes such as water, soil, and dust (5). These infections are most commonl