Proposal to elevate the genetic variant MAC-A, included in the Mycobacterium avium complex, to species rank as Mycobacterium chimaera sp. nov.

• DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.02777-0
• Publication Date: 2004-08-13T08:58:50Z
• Authors: Enrico Tortoli; Laura Rindi; Maria J. Garcia; Patrizia Chiaradonna; Rosanna Dei; Carlo Garzelli; Reiner M. Kroppen...; Nicoletta Lari; Romano Mattei; Alessandro Mariot...; Gianna Mazzarelli; Martha I. Murcia; Anna Nanetti; Paola Piccoli; Claudio Scarparo
• Keywords: Mycolic acid; Mycobacterium avium complex; Species complex

The possibility that the strains included within Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), but not belonging either to M. or intracellulare , may be members of undescribed taxa, has already been questioned by several taxonomists. A very homogeneous cluster 12 characterized identical nucleotide sequences both in 16S rDNA and 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer was investigated. Similar strains, previously reported literature, had assigned species on basis similarity group MAC intermediates. However, phenotypical epidemiological characteristics seem distinguish these from all other organisms. unique mycolic acid pattern obtained HPLC is striking as it two clusters peaks, instead three presented All have isolated humans one came respiratory tract elderly people. clinical significance ascertained for seven patients, seems suggest an unusually high virulence. genotypically ones described here, confirm our data, without reports isolations animals environment or, among humans, AIDS patients. Therefore, elevation variant proposed with name chimaera sp. nov.; this increases number complex. type strain FI-01069 T (=CIP 107892 =DSM 44623 ).