Virulent strains of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 and highly virulent strains of Streptococcus suis serotype 1 can be recognized by a unique ribotype profile.
The ribotype profiles of 42 different Streptococcus suis strains were studied. These strains belonged to five serotypes and differed in their virulence for pigs as well as in the expression of the muramidase-released protein and the extracellular protein factor. For the ribotyping, chromosomal DNAs were digested with EcoRI and were hybridized with a 1,066-bp ribosomal DNA probe. The hybridization patterns showed genetic heterogeneity within and between the serotypes. Pathogenic strains of serotype 2 and highly pathogenic strains of serotype 1 could be recognized by their unique ribotype profiles. Nonpathogenic strains showed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity. Moreover, by comparing the 16S ribosomal DNA sequences of a number of S. suis strains, we were able to design two DNA probes which specifically hybridized with S. suis strains.
Smith
H E
HE
Department of Bacteriology, DLO-Institute for Animal Science and Health, Lelystad, The Netherlands. h.e.smith@id.dlo.nl
Rijnsburger
M
M
Stockhofe-Zurwieden
N
N
Wisselink
H J
HJ
Vecht
U
U
Smits
M A
MA
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017011:Streptococcus suis / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S