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Multilocus restriction typing: a tool for Neisseria meningitidis strain discrimination
Désirée E Bennett1, Mary T Cafferkey1
1Epidemiology and Molecular Biology Unit, The Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland 2Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, York Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|August 12, 2003
Summary
Multilocus restriction typing (MLRT) efficiently characterizes Neisseria meningitidis strains by analyzing genetic variations. This method correlates well with serogroups, aiding in the identification of disease-associated bacterial strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis causes invasive diseases.
- Accurate strain characterization is crucial for understanding disease transmission and epidemiology.
- Existing methods may have limitations in efficiency or cost.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate multilocus restriction typing (MLRT) as a method for characterizing invasive disease-associated Neisseria meningitidis strains.
- To assess the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of MLRT.
Main Methods:
- Multilocus restriction typing (MLRT) was employed.
- MLRT involved restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis of PCR products from seven housekeeping gene loci.
- Allelic profiles (restriction types, RTs) were generated by combining alleles from each locus.
Main Results:
- MLRT revealed allelic variation across the seven loci, with fumC and pgm showing greater variation than abcZ and adk.
- A strong correlation was observed between restriction types (RTs) and serogroups, serotypes, and serosubtypes.
- Specific RTs were associated with distinct serogroups (e.g., C 2ap1.2,5 and B 4p1.4 strains).
Conclusions:
- MLRT is an efficient, effective, and relatively inexpensive method for Neisseria meningitidis strain characterization.
- The method demonstrates good correlation with established typing schemes (serogroup, serotype, serosubtype).
- MLRT provides a valuable tool for epidemiological studies of meningococcal disease.