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Ribotype analysis of Pseudomonas pseudomallei isolates
M M Sexton1, L A Goebel, A J Godfrey
1Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary Health Sciences Centre, Alberta, Canada.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
A new ribotyping method effectively differentiates Pseudomonas pseudomallei strains, crucial for tracking melioidosis outbreaks. This technique identified 10 distinct types, aiding in understanding disease transmission and potential superinfections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pseudomonas pseudomallei causes melioidosis, a serious disease.
- Lack of an effective epidemiological typing system hinders understanding of P. pseudomallei transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a ribotyping method for differentiating P. pseudomallei isolates.
- To apply this method to clinical and environmental samples from Thailand.
Main Methods:
- Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of chromosomal DNA digests (EcoRI, SalI, HindIII, PstI).
- Typing of 74 clinical and 10 environmental P. pseudomallei isolates from Thailand.
Main Results:
- Six P. pseudomallei ribotypes were identified, with predominant type A found in 59 isolates.
- Subtyping of ribotype A yielded a total of 10 differentiable P. pseudomallei types.
- In most melioidosis patients with multiple isolates, only a single ribotype was detected, suggesting superinfection in one case.
Conclusions:
- Ribotyping is a valuable tool for epidemiological studies of P. pseudomallei.
- The method allows for differentiation of strains, aiding in outbreak investigations and understanding transmission dynamics.
- Subtype A1 appears predominant in the studied geographical region.