Target-specific assay for rapid and quantitative detection of Mycobacterium chimaera DNA

E Zozaya-Valdés; JL Porter; J Coventry; JAM Fyfe; GP Carter; AG Da Silva; MB Schultz; T Seemann; PDR Johnson; AJ Stewardson; I Bastian; SA Roberts; BP Howden; DA Williamson; TP Stinear

Journal article

Target-specific assay for rapid and quantitative detection of Mycobacterium chimaera DNA

E Zozaya-Valdés, JL Porter, J Coventry, JAM Fyfe, GP Carter, AG Da Silva, MB Schultz, T Seemann, PDR Johnson, AJ Stewardson, I Bastian, SA Roberts, BP Howden, DA Williamson, TP Stinear

Journal of Clinical Microbiology | AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY | Published : 2017

DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00197-17

Abstract

Mycobacterium chimaera is an opportunistic environmental mycobacterium belonging to the Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare complex. Although most commonly associated with pulmonary disease, there has been growing awareness of invasive M. chimaera infections following cardiac surgery. Investigations suggest worldwide spread of a specific M. chimaera clone, associated with contaminated hospital heater-cooler units used during the surgery. Given the global dissemination of this clone, its potential to cause invasive disease, and the laboriousness of current culture-based diagnostic methods, there is a pressing need to develop rapid and accurate diagnostic assays specific for M. chimaera. Her..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Jessica Porter Author

Glen Carter Author

Torsten Seemann Author

Paul Johnson Author

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. D.A.W., B.P.H., and T.P.S. are supported by National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowships GNT1123854, GNT1105905, and GNT1105525, respectively.