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Published on: February 19, 2013
Distribution of Corynebacterium Species and Comparative Results of Diagnostic Methods for Identifying Corynebacterium
Sehee Park1, Hijo Shin1, Sangwoon Kim1
1Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, 30, Yeongudanji-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si 28116, Korea.
Abstract:
The genus Corynebacterium, composed of Gram-positive diphtheroid rod-shaped bacteria, induces severe diseases, such as Corynebacterium-associated hyperkeratosis and pseudotuberculosis, in immunodeficient mice. We isolated and identified a total of 165 strains of Corynebacterium species from experimental mice in Korean laboratories, diagnosed using several methods. When identified based on molecular methods, namely, 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence analysis, the main Corynebacterium species isolated in Korean laboratory mice were C. mastitidis (44.8%, n = 74), C. bovis (25.5%, n = 42), C. lowii (21.2%, n = 35), and C. amycolatum (8.5%, n = 14). Diagnoses were also performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and biochemical methods. MALDI-TOF MS yielded results that were 77.9% identical to the molecular identification results, whereas biochemical methods showed only 15.5% identical to molecular identification, partly owing to difficulties in distinguishing among C. mastitidis strains. Collectively, our findings indicate that molecular biological methods are better suited for detecting and identifying Corynebacterium species candidates isolated from mice than biochemical methods. Because of limitations associated with the use of MALDI-TOF MS, more precise results will be obtained by complementing this approach with other methods when used for rapid identification testing.
Insights
Molecular methods like 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing are superior for identifying Corynebacterium species in mice. These techniques offer higher accuracy than matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and biochemical methods.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The genus *Corynebacterium* comprises Gram-positive bacteria that can cause significant diseases in laboratory animals.
- Accurate identification of *Corynebacterium* species is crucial for maintaining the health of experimental mice and ensuring research integrity.
- Previous diagnostic methods have shown limitations in precisely identifying *Corynebacterium* species, particularly in a laboratory setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify *Corynebacterium* species from experimental mice in Korean laboratories.
- To compare the efficacy of molecular methods (16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing), MALDI-TOF MS, and biochemical tests for *Corynebacterium* identification.
- To determine the most reliable method for accurate *Corynebacterium* species detection in this context.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of 165 *Corynebacterium* strains from experimental mice.
- Molecular identification using 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence analysis.
- Comparative diagnosis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and conventional biochemical methods.
Main Results:
- The predominant *Corynebacterium* species identified were *C. mastitidis* (44.8%), *C. bovis* (25.5%), *C. lowii* (21.2%), and *C. amycolatum* (8.5%).
- Molecular methods demonstrated high accuracy in species identification.
- MALDI-TOF MS showed 77.9% concordance with molecular identification, while biochemical methods achieved only 15.5% concordance, with difficulties distinguishing *C. mastitidis*.
Conclusions:
- Molecular biological methods, specifically 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing, are more effective for detecting and identifying *Corynebacterium* species in mice compared to biochemical methods.
- While MALDI-TOF MS offers rapid identification, its accuracy can be limited, suggesting it should be complemented with other methods for precise results.
- Accurate identification of *Corynebacterium* in laboratory mice is essential for disease control and research reliability.
