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Strain variation in Mycobacterium marinum fish isolates.
1Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Ltd., National Center for Mariculture, Eilat, Israel.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|October 31, 2002
Summary
Molecular analysis of Mycobacterium marinum in fish revealed distinct strains in Israel, differentiating marine and freshwater isolates. This research aids in understanding the epidemiology of this aquatic pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Aquatic Pathogen Research
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Mycobacterium marinum is an aquatic pathogen affecting various fish species.
- Understanding M. marinum strain diversity is crucial for fish health management and aquaculture.
- Previous studies have not fully characterized M. marinum isolates from diverse geographical regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform molecular characterization of Mycobacterium marinum isolates from fish.
- To differentiate M. marinum strains based on 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequences.
- To investigate the genetic relatedness of M. marinum isolates from Israel, Europe, and the Far East.
Main Methods:
- DNA extraction from 21 M. marinum fish isolates.
- Sequencing of 16S rRNA and hsp65 genes.
- Restriction enzyme mapping based on nucleotide sequences.
- Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data.
Main Results:
- Two distinct M. marinum strains were identified in Israeli fish isolates: one marine and one freshwater.
- Israeli marine isolates diverged from freshwater isolates, and most foreign isolates.
- One Greek marine isolate was identical to Israeli marine isolates; another showed a single base alteration.
Conclusions:
- Combined analysis of 16S rRNA and hsp65 genes effectively detects intraspecific variations in M. marinum.
- The study highlights the genetic diversity of M. marinum in aquatic environments.
- Further research is needed to determine the origin and introduction pathways of Israeli M. marinum strains.