[Evaluation of DNA-DNA hybridization method for identification of mycobacteria using a colorimetric microplate kit]

DNA-DNA hybridization was applied for identification of mycobacteria and developed as a kit "microplate hybridization kit" (refers to MPHD) by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. We received test samples of the microplates from the company and examined them for their and reliability using 180 mycobacterial strains of 21 species kept in our laboratory. The results of identification by MPHD were 100% identical to those of biochemical identification in the type or reference strains of mycobacteria, showing good reliability of MPHD method. Among clinical isolates, there were six M. tuberculosis strains which did not show typical characteristics for M. tuberculosis, i.e., niacin test negative or nitrate reduction weak positive, but all of these were identified as M. tuberculosis complex by MPHD method. Some strains from clinical isolates showed difference in identification between MPHD and biochemical methods: M. avium complex, identified biochemically were divided into M. avium and M. intracellulare by MPHD, M. fortuitum complex by biochemical identification were distinguished as M. fortuitum and M. chelonae by MPHD. Further, M. chelonae were separated into M. chelonae subsp. chelonae and M. chelonae subsp. abscessus by MPHD. M. peregrinum has been considered as a synonym of M. fortuitum, but we could distinguish M. peregrinum from M. fortuitum clearly by MPHD method. Thus, it is suggested that M. peregrinum and M. fortuitum are different species. Keys for getting reliable results using the MPHD kit are: (1) appropriate amount of bacteria for use, (2) purification of DNA, (3) enough deproteinization, and (4) appropriate timing to read colorimetry measurement of the plate.