Use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for rapid confirmatory identification of Brucella isolates.
Members of the genus Brucella are categorized as biothreat agents and pose a hazard for both humans and animals. Current identification methods rely on biochemical tests that may require up to 7 days for results. We sequenced the 16S rRNA genes of 65 Brucella strains along with 17 related strains likely to present a differential diagnostic challenge. All Brucella 16S rRNA gene sequences were determined to be identical and were clearly different from the 17 related strains, suggesting that 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a reliable tool for rapid genus-level identification of Brucella spp. and their differentiation from closely related organisms.
Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS-D11, 1600 Clifton Rd., N.E., Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. JGee1@cdc.gov
Jay E
JE
Gee
Barun K
BK
De
Paul N
PN
Levett
Anne M
AM
Whitney
Ryan T
RT
Novak
Tanja
T
Popovic
D001483:Base Sequence; D002002:Brucella / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S