Diversity of feline Chlamydia psittaci revealed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA

DNA samples from C. psittaci including 6 strains of feline origin, 10 strains of avian origin, 1 strain of ovine origin and 1 strain of guinea pig origin were amplified each with three 10-nucleotide (nt) primers and four > 18-nt primers. Amplified products were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Eight patterns were recognized by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting of C. psittaci: 2 patterns of feline origin, 5 patterns of avian origin and 1 pattern of guinea pig origin. DNA of feline or guinea pig origin was clearly distinguished from the other strains of C. psittaci by RAPD analysis, as shown by the absence of any common fragments in electrophoresis. The RAPD analysis indicated at least 2 types of feline C. psittaci. The RAPD typing is suggested as a convenient tool for molecular epidemiology of chlamydial infection.