Heterogeneity in expression of lipopolysaccharide by strains of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive phage type 104 and related phage types.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) expression in Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive phage type 104 (Salmonella Typhimurium DT104) and related phage types.


RESULTS
Isolates were examined for the expression of LPS by SDS-PAGE and silver staining and subtyped by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The 100 isolates expressed one of two LPS profiles designated A (72%) and B (28%). LPS profiling was able to discriminate between isolates of identical PFGE type. Among 10 groups of outbreak isolates examined, each group was of a single LPS profile: A, 8/10 and B, 2/10. All 10 outbreaks were identical by PFGE analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 and related phage types expressed one of two distinct LPS profiles. The two LPS profiles appear similar but shifted and in phase with one another, suggesting that the heterogeneity is due to changes in the LPS core region rather than among the repeating oligosaccharide units of the long-chain LPS. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE SUTDY: LPS profiling provides a useful adjunct to PFGE and other molecular methods for the subtyping of this group of bacteria in epidemiological investigations.
Lawson
A J
AJ
Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Division of Gastrointestinal Infections, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, UK. alawson@phls.org.uk
Chart
H
H
Dassama
M U
MU
Threlfall
E J
EJ
D001434:Bacteriophage Typing; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012703:Serotyping
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides