[Identification and typing of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans by restriction endonuclease analysis]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) for the identifying and typing of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). Bacterial chromosomal DNA was extracted and digested with BamHI, HindIII, Sal I and Xho I respectively and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA fragment patterns of Aa and Haemophilus aphrophilus differed strikingly from each ether. The patterns of Aa FDC Y4 and Aa ATCC 29523, belonging to two different serotypes, also differed notably. Among the 4 enzymes used, Sal I and Xho I gave the most satisfactory results. The results of our work suggested that REA could be used to identify and type Aa. REA is stable, sensitive, accurate and reproducible. The method might be valuable in molecular epidemiologic studies on periodontopathic organisms.