title: Use of a serotype-specific DNA microarray for identification of group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae).
abstract: Group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is an important cause of sepsis and meningitis. Nine GBS serotypes, based on capsular polysaccharide (CPS) antigens, have been described. Their distribution varies worldwide and needs to be monitored to understand the epidemiology of GBS disease and inform the development of vaccines. In this study, we sequenced cpsH of GBS serotype II (cpsHII) and compared it with that of the other eight serotypes to identify serotype-specific regions. We then developed a DNA microarray based on the cpsH gene and used it to test 88 GBS isolates-9 serotype reference strains and 79 clinical isolates-and 7 other bacterial and fungal species which are commonly present in the vagina flora. The microarray was shown to be specific and reproducible. This is the first report of a microarray which can identify the nine GBS serotypes. The use of a microarray has advantages over traditional serotyping methods and will be of practical value in both reference and diagnostic laboratories.
authors.affiliation: TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, 23 HongDa Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Linyan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yayue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fanrong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Gwendolyn L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Boyang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*