Flagellin gene PCR-RFLP analysis of a panel of strains from the Burkholderia cepacia complex.
Burkholderia cepacia, an important opportunist pathogen, is genetically heterogeneous. The B. cepacia complex has been subdivided into a number of genospecies or genomovars. A flagellin gene PCR-RFLP method was applied to a representative panel of strains of known genomovar. The technique was able to distinguish strains of B. multivorans from other members of the B. cepacia complex on the basis of amplicon size (typical of type I rather than type II flagellins) with the exception of one genomovar I strain. There was considerable variation in RFLP patterns amongst the panel of strains; only two pairs of strains were indistinguishable with both HaeIII and MspI digestion. Where RFLP patterns matched with both enzymes or a single enzyme, matching strains were always in the same genomovar. It was possible to distinguish the UK cystic fibrosis epidemic strain from all other members of the panel, including nine other genomovar III strains. The level of variation suggests that flagellin genotyping is a useful method for discriminating between B. cepacia strains.
Winstanley
Craig
C
Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA.
Detsika
Maria G
MG
Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA.
Glendinning
Kerry J
KJ
Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA.
Parsons
Yasmin N
YN
Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA.
Hart
C Anthony
CA
Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA.
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D019121:Burkholderia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016956:Burkholderia cepacia / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D005408:Flagellin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
D017931:DNA Primers; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005408:Flagellin; C031851:endodeoxyribonuclease HaeII; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific