Cluster analysis of AP-PCR generated DNA fingerprints of Vibrio vulnificus isolates from patients fatally infected after consumption of raw oysters.
Arbitrarily-primed-polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) DNA fingerprints were generated for 10 Vibrio vulnificus strains isolated from patients who became infected and died between 1993 and 1996 as a result of consuming raw oysters. Analysis of the DNA fingerprints with gel imaging and cluster analysis software revealed significant genetic heterogeneity among these strains, suggesting that V. vulnificus has a high degree of variation in its genomic organization, and that multiple pathogenic strains with greatly diverse genomic arrangements, rather than a single type of infective strain or serogroup, caused these infections.
Vickery
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MC
Department of Biology and Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170, USA.
Harold
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N
Bej
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AK
D000818:Animals; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000145:classification*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012984:Software; D014733:Vibrio / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial