Characterization of "Mycobacterium paraffinicum" associated with a pseudo-outbreak

J Clin Microbiol. 2008 May;46(5):1850-3. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02079-07. Epub 2008 Mar 26.

Abstract

We describe the first "Mycobacterium paraffinicum" (unofficial taxon) pseudo-outbreak in a tertiary-care medical center. Fifteen clinical nontuberculous mycobacterium isolates from 10 patients were initially identified by biochemical tests and high-performance liquid chromatography as Mycobacterium scrofulaceum. However, further testing by molecular analysis revealed "M. paraffinicum." Epidemiological and environmental investigation determined that the ice machine was the source of the pseudo-outbreak.

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium / classification*
  • Mycobacterium / isolation & purification*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / epidemiology*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / microbiology*
  • Water Microbiology