Evidence of the Presence of IS1245 and IS1311 or Closely Related Insertion Elements in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria outside of the Mycobacterium avium Complex

A PCR assay based on the simultaneous detection of IS1245 and IS1311 was developed and used to determine the host range of these insertion elements. Specific PCR products were observed in Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, and Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum, indicating that IS1245 and IS1311 are not limited to the Mycobacterium avium complex.