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Development of discriminatory multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis for Bartonella henselae
Martine Monteil1, Benoît Durand2, Rim Bouchouicha1
1UMR BIPAR/AFSSA/INRA/ENVA/UVPM, 94703 Maisons-Alfort, France.
Microbiology (Reading, England)
|March 24, 2007
Summary
Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) offers a highly discriminatory method for typing Bartonella henselae, a bacterium infecting cats and humans. This new technique provides a stable and effective tool for epidemiological studies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic bacterium causing infections in cats and humans.
- Existing typing techniques for B. henselae lack sufficient discriminatory power and ease of use for epidemiological purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) technique for typing Bartonella henselae.
Main Methods:
- Selected 30 VNTR candidates from the B. henselae Houston 1 genome.
- Tested VNTR candidates by PCR on six B. henselae isolates.
- Selected five VNTRs (BHVs) showing allelic variation.
- Applied the five BHVs to 44 B. henselae isolates from various geographical locations.
Main Results:
- Achieved 31 distinct profiles among 44 isolates using five BHVs.
- Observed 35 profiles with two variant alleles, indicating high discriminatory power.
- Calculated a high diversity index of 0.98.
- Demonstrated stability of the five BHVs across multiple passages in the F1 strain.
Conclusions:
- The developed MLVA technique is highly discriminatory and stable for B. henselae typing.
- This study presents the first application of MLVA for B. henselae, offering a valuable tool for epidemiological investigations.
