Species-specific biotinylated DNA probe for the detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

A 5.5 kilobase DNA fragment from an Eco RI digest of the Mycoplasma gallisepticum genome was specific for the detection of M. gallisepticum. This 5.5 kb fragment was initially cloned into bacteriophage lambda gt11 followed by subcloning into the plasmid vector pGEM-3Z. The incorporation of a biotin label was accomplished by utilizing biotin-11-dUTP in a nick translation reaction. This probe, designated pMg6, reacts specifically with M. gallisepticum when tested against various mycoplasma DNAs in Southern blot hybridization analysis. Spot-blot hybridization data indicate the pMg6 is capable of detecting 800 pg of M. gallisepticum DNA.