title: Analysis of Campylobacter jejuni whole-genome DNA microarrays: significance of prophage and hypervariable regions for discriminating isolates.
abstract: Campylobacter is a leading cause of foodborne illness in humans, and improving our understanding of the epidemiology of this organism is essential. The objective of this study was to identify the genes that discriminate isolates of C. jejuni by analysis with whole-genome DNA microarrays. Statistical analyses of whole-genome data from 95 geographically diverse cattle, chicken, and human C. jejuni isolates identified 142 most significant variable genes. Of this total, 125 (88%) belonged to genomic prophage and hypervariable regions. The significance of genomic prophage and hypervariable regions in determining C. jejuni isolate genomic diversity is emphasized by these results. These genes will be useful as biomarkers and components of genotyping systems for C. jejuni to improve our understanding of the epidemiology and population genetics of this major foodborne pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Pittenger
authors.forename: Jonathan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Frye
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: McNerney
authors.forename: Jaxk
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Jovita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haro
authors.forename: Paula J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Fedorka-Cray
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Englen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000379:methods; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D056426:Genetic Loci; D014644:Genetic Variation; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011159:Population Surveillance; D039002:Prophages / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial