DNA POLYMORPHISMS DETECTED IN MYCOBACTERIUM-HAEMOPHILUM BY PULSED-FIELD GEL-ELECTROPHORESIS

Nineteen isolates of Mycobacterium haemophilum were analyzed by pulsed -field gel electrophoresis of large restriction fragments generated by digestion of chromosomal DNA with XbaI. Six patterns were observed. T welve of 16 M. haemophilum isolates (75%) collected in the New York Me tropolitan Area from 1990 to 1991 shared the same pattern, including a ll six isolates submitted from one hospital. Two different patterns we re seen among the other four isolates. Individual isolates from Albany , N.Y., Florida, and Texas had unique patterns. Pulsed-field gel elect rophoresis is the first method reported with the capability to type st rains of M. haemophilum and will hopefully provide insight into the so urce and transmission of this emerging pathogen.