Variable genetic element typing: a quick method for epidemiological subtyping of Legionella pneumophila.
A total of 57 isolates of Legionella pneumophila were randomly selected from the German National Legionella strain collection and typed by monoclonal antibody subgrouping, seven-gene locus sequence-based typing (SBT) scheme and a newly developed variable element typing (VET) system based on the presence or absence of ten variable genetic elements. These elements were detected while screening a genomic library of strain Corby, as well as being taken from published data for PAI-1 (pathogenicity island) from strain Philadelphia. Specific primers were designed and used in gel-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. PCR amplification of the mip gene served as a control. The end-point was the presence/absence of a PCR product on an ethidium bromide-strained gel. In the present study, the index of discrimination was somewhat lower than that of the SBT (0.87 versus 0.97). Nevertheless, the results obtained showed as a 'proof of principle' that this simple and quick typing assay might be useful for the epidemiological characterisation of L. pneumophila strains.
Pannier
K
K
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Heuner
K
K
Lück
C
C
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012703:Serotyping
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial