Development of multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis for the molecular subtyping of Enterobacter sakazakii.
The genomic content of Enterobacter sakazakii strain ATCC BAA-894 was analyzed for variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs). In this study we report the development of a multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) strategy for the subtyping of E. sakazakii. The method is based on a GeneScan analysis of four VNTR loci labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes. This approach was applied to a collection of 112 isolates representing all 16 of the currently defined E. sakazakii biogroups. MLVA successfully discriminated among these isolates and compared favorably with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The method was relatively fast and easy to perform. The potential value of MLVA as an epidemiological tool is discussed.
Mullane
N R
NR
Centre for Food Safety, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Ryan
M
M
Iversen
C
C
Murphy
M
M
O'Gaora
P
P
Quinn
T
T
Whyte
P
P
Wall
P G
PG
Fanning
S
S
D001483:Base Sequence; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D044083:Cronobacter sakazakii / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity