Natural Occurrence of Horizontal Transfer of Mycobacterium avium- Specific Insertion Sequence IS1245 to Mycobacterium kansasii

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium kansasii carrying IS1245, a highly prevalent insertion sequence among Mycobacterium avium isolates, was detected in a mixed culture of M. avium and M. kansasii. The insertion sequence was stable and able to transpose by a replicative mechanism in M. kansasii. These findings may have significant implications for molecular diagnosis and treatment outcome.