Isolation and identification of mycobacteria in aquarium fish in Ilam, Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESFish, like mammals, are susceptible to mycobacteria, and can act as both host and carrier for these bacteria. Mycobacteriosis is a chronic progressive disease, which have been reported in more than ۲۰۰ species of fish. Although M. marinum, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum are the most common causes of infections in fish. These mycobacteria are saprophytes found in soil and water. Mycobacteriosis is a zoonotic and occupationally related disease capable of causing local and disseminated infections in humans. The number of M. fortuitum infections in humans is increasing.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn total, ۵۰ different samples of ornamental fish were collected from different aquariums in Ilam. Genomic material was extracted from all acid-fast positive cultures. The mycobacterial identity of bacterial isolates was confirmed using a PCR assessment.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONA total of ۱۲ NTM isolates were obtained from ۵۰ cultures submitted the laboratory of Tuberculosis Department Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. Species identification was performed for all isolates using conventional phenotypic methods and PCR assessment targeting a ۵۴۳ bp- fragment ۱۶Sr RNA gene and ۴۴۱ bp- fragment of hsp۶۵.CONCLUSIONThe current study clearly demonstrates the role of mycobacteria in the pathogenesis of diseases in ornamental fish. People who keep fish as pets at home should be aware of the dangers of bacterial contamination risks arise by close contact with ornamental fish species. The results we obtained indicated that species identification by molecular methods was more reliable and precise than the phenotypic methods, as previously reported by other investigators.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ornamental fishes ، Mycobacteriosis ، PCR