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Underwood AP, Green J. MOP-UP: an online tool for finding strain-specific primers or motifs in DNA or protein alignments. Clin Microbiol Infect 2004; 10:948-50. [PMID: 15373897 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00943.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
MOP-UP is a web-based application that enables efficient searching of nucleic acid or amino-acid alignments for sequences or motifs that are unique to a subset of the members represented in the alignment. This has applications in the design of assays that aim to detect particular strains or species. Since molecular-based characterisation of microbes is becoming increasingly important, MOP-UP can aid microbiologists in finding the best loci on which to base such assays. The program is accessible at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/srmd/bioinformatics/tools/mop-ups.htm.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Underwood
- Central Public Health Laboratory, Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics Unit, London, UK.
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102
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Fournier PE, Zhu Y, Ogata H, Raoult D. Use of highly variable intergenic spacer sequences for multispacer typing of Rickettsia conorii strains. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:5757-66. [PMID: 15583310 PMCID: PMC535242 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.12.5757-5766.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2004] [Revised: 06/28/2004] [Accepted: 08/09/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
By use of the nearly perfectly colinear genomes of Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia prowazekii, we compared the usefulness of three types of sequences for typing of R. conorii isolates: (i) 5 variable coding genes comprising the 16S ribosomal DNA, gltA, ompB, and sca4 (gene D) genes, which are present in both genomes, and the ompA gene, which is degraded in R. prowazekii; (ii) 28 genes degraded in R. conorii but intact in R. prowazekii, including 23 split and 5 remnant genes; and (iii) 27 conserved and 25 variable intergenic spacers. The 4 conserved and 23 split genes as well as the 27 conserved intergenic spacers each had identical sequences in 34 human and 5 tick isolates of R. conorii. Analysis of the ompA sequences identified three genotypes of R. conorii. The variable intergenic spacers were significantly more variable than conserved genes, split genes, remnant genes, and conserved spacers (P < 10(-2) in all cases). Four of the variable intergenic spacers (dksA-xerC, mppA-purC, rpmE-tRNA(fMet), and tRNA(Gly)-tRNA(Tyr)) had highly variable sequences; when they were combined for typing, multispacer typing (MST) identified 27 different genotypes in the 39 R. conorii isolates. Two batches from the same R. conorii strain, Malish (Seven), with different culture passage histories were found to exhibit the same MST type. MST was more discriminatory for strain genotyping than multiple gene sequencing (P < 10(-2)). Phylogenetic analysis based on MST sequences was concordant with the geographic origins of R. conorii isolates. Our study supports the usefulness of MST for strain genotyping. This tool may be useful for tracing a strain and identifying its source during outbreaks, including those resulting from bioterrorism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Unité des Rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Mediterranée, 27 Blvd. Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
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103
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Gürtler V, Mayall BC, Seviour R. Can whole genome analysis refine the taxonomy of the genus Rhodococcus? FEMS Microbiol Rev 2004; 28:377-403. [PMID: 15449609 DOI: 10.1016/j.femsre.2004.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current systematics of the genus Rhodococcus is unclear, partly because many members were originally included before the application of a polyphasic taxonomic approach, central to which is the acquisition of 16S rRNA sequence data. This has resulted in the reclassification and description of many new species. Hence, the literature is replete with new species names that have not been brought together in an organized and easily interpreted form. This taxonomic confusion has been compounded by assigning many xenobiotic degrading isolates with phylogenetic positions but without formal taxonomic descriptions. In order to provide a framework for a taxonomic approach based on multiple genetic loci, a survey was undertaken of the known genome characteristics of members of the genus Rhodococcus including: (i) genetics of cell envelope biosynthesis; (ii) virulence genes; (iii) gene clusters involved in metabolic degradation and industrially relevant pathways; (iv) genetic analysis tools; (v) rapid identification of bacteria including rhodococci with specific gene RFLPs; (vi) genomic organization of rrn operons. Genes encoding virulence factors have been characterized for Rhodococcus equi and Rhodococcus fascians. Based on peptide signature comparisons deduced from gene sequences for cytochrome P-450, mono- and dioxygenases, alkane degradation, nitrile metabolism, proteasomes and desulfurization, phylogenetic relationships can be deduced for Rhodococcus erythropolis, Rhodococcus globerulus, Rhodococcus ruber and a number of undesignated Rhodococcus spp. that may distinguish the genus Rhodococcus into two further genera. The linear genome topologies that exist in some Rhodococcus species may alter a previously proposed model for the analysis of genomic fingerprinting techniques used in bacterial systematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Gürtler
- Department of Microbiology, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.
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104
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Terletski V, Michael GB, Schwarz S. Subtracted restriction fingerprinting--a new typing technique using magnetic capture of tagged restriction fragments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 41:1-8. [PMID: 15094162 DOI: 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2003] [Revised: 01/16/2004] [Accepted: 01/23/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Molecular typing of bacterial pathogens is an important issue in the epidemiological analysis of emerging infections in humans and animals. Numerous methods have been developed for and applied to a wide variety of bacteria of medical, veterinary and zoonotic importance. The present minireview provides a description of a new typing approach designated subtracted restriction fingerprinting (SRF), its use for typing of Salmonella isolates and a comparison with the most widely used typing techniques for these bacteria. SRF is based on double restriction endonuclease digestion of whole cell DNA, followed by a fill-in reaction with specifically tagged nucleotides and subtractive capture of selected restriction fragments. This results in a reduced number of fragments optimal for separation in standard agarose gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeri Terletski
- Institute for Animal Breeding, Federal Agricultural Research Center (FAL), Höltystrasse 10, 31535 Neustadt-Mariensee, Germany
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105
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Abstract
Vibrios are ubiquitous and abundant in the aquatic environment. A high abundance of vibrios is also detected in tissues and/or organs of various marine algae and animals, e.g., abalones, bivalves, corals, fish, shrimp, sponges, squid, and zooplankton. Vibrios harbour a wealth of diverse genomes as revealed by different genomic techniques including amplified fragment length polymorphism, multilocus sequence typing, repetetive extragenic palindrome PCR, ribotyping, and whole-genome sequencing. The 74 species of this group are distributed among four different families, i.e., Enterovibrionaceae, Photobacteriaceae, Salinivibrionaceae, and Vibrionaceae. Two new genera, i.e., Enterovibrio norvegicus and Grimontia hollisae, and 20 novel species, i.e., Enterovibrio coralii, Photobacterium eurosenbergii, V. brasiliensis, V. chagasii, V. coralliillyticus, V. crassostreae, V. fortis, V. gallicus, V. hepatarius, V. hispanicus, V. kanaloaei, V. neonatus, V. neptunius, V. pomeroyi, V. pacinii, V. rotiferianus, V. superstes, V. tasmaniensis, V. ezurae, and V. xuii, have been described in the last few years. Comparative genome analyses have already revealed a variety of genomic events, including mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, loss of genes by decay or deletion, and gene acquisitions through duplication or horizontal transfer (e.g., in the acquisition of bacteriophages, pathogenicity islands, and super-integrons), that are probably important driving forces in the evolution and speciation of vibrios. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics through the application of, e.g., microarrays will facilitate the investigation of the gene repertoire at the species level. Based on such new genomic information, the taxonomy and the species concept for vibrios will be reviewed in the next years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano L Thompson
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
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106
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall S Murch
- Institute for Defense Analyses, 4850 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311-1882, USA.
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107
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van den Braak N, Simons G, Gorkink R, Reijans M, Eadie K, Kremers K, van Soolingen D, Savelkoul P, Verbrugh H, van Belkum A. A new high-throughput AFLP approach for identification of new genetic polymorphism in the genome of the clonal microorganism Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Microbiol Methods 2004; 56:49-62. [PMID: 14706750 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2003.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We have here applied high-throughput amplified fragment length polymorphism (htAFLP) analysis to strains belonging to the five classical species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Using 20 strains, three enzyme combinations and eight selective amplification primer pairs, 24 AFLP reactions were performed per strain. Overall, this resulted in 480 DNA fingerprints and more than 1200 htAFLP-amplified PCR fragments were visualised per strain. The cumulative dendrogram correctly clustered strains from the various species, albeit within a distance of 6.5% for most of them. The single isolate of Mycobacterium canettii presented separately at 19% distance. All over, 169 fragments (14%) appeared to be polymorphic. Sixty-eight were specific for M. canetti and forty-five for Mycobacterium bovis. For the 10 different M. tuberculosis strains included in the present analysis, 56 polymorphic markers were identified. Upon sequencing 20 of these marker regions and comparisons with the H37Rv genome sequence, 25% appeared to share homology to members of the antigenically variable PE/PPE surface protein encoding gene family confirming previous findings on the genetic heterogeneity within these genes. In addition, homologues for phage genes and insertion element-encoded genes were detected. Forty-five percent of the sequences derived from ORFs with a currently unknown function, which was corroborated by genome sequence comparison for the clinical M. tuberculosis CD 1551 isolate. Sequence variation in M. tuberculosis was assessed in more detail for a subset of these loci by newly designed PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) tests and direct sequencing. Fourteen novel PCR RFLP tests were developed and twelve novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, all suited for epidemiological analysis of M. tuberculosis. The tests allowed for identification of the major Mycobacterium species and M. tuberculosis variants and clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole van den Braak
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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108
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Kivi M, Tindberg Y, Sörberg M, Casswall TH, Befrits R, Hellström PM, Bengtsson C, Engstrand L, Granström M. Concordance of Helicobacter pylori strains within families. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 41:5604-8. [PMID: 14662948 PMCID: PMC309035 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.12.5604-5608.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection is typically acquired in early childhood, and a predominantly intrafamilial transmission has been postulated. To what extent family members share the same strains is poorly documented. Our aim was to explore patterns of shared strains within families by using molecular typing. Family members of H. pylori-infected 10- to 12-year-old index children identified in a school survey were invited to undergo gastroscopy. Bacterial isolates were typed with random amplified polymorphic DNA and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the genes ureA-B, glmM, or flaA. The presence or absence of the cag pathogenicity island, a bacterial virulence factor, was determined by PCR. GelCompar II software, supplemented with visual inspection, was used in the cluster analysis. In 39 families, 104 individuals contributed 208 bacterial isolates from the antrum and corpus. A large proportion, 29 of 36 (81%) of the offspring in a sibship, harbored the same strain as at least one sibling. Mother-offspring strain concordance was detected in 10 of 18 (56%) of the families. Of 17 investigated father-offspring relations in eight families, none were strain concordant. Spouses were infected with the same strains in 5 of 23 (22%) of the couples. Different strains in the antrum and corpus were found in 8 of 104 (8%) of the subjects. Our family-based fingerprinting study demonstrates a high proportion of shared strains among siblings. Transmission between spouses seems to be appreciable. The data support mother-child and sib-sib transmission as the primary transmission pathways of H. pylori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mårten Kivi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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109
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Onteniente L, Brisse S, Tassios PT, Vergnaud G. Evaluation of the polymorphisms associated with tandem repeats for Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain typing. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 41:4991-7. [PMID: 14605129 PMCID: PMC262500 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.11.4991-4997.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on the development of a scheme for the typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA). We first evaluated the polymorphisms of 201 tandem repeat loci selected from more than 3,000 such sequences present in strain PAO1 with a test collection of 12 genotypically distinct clinical strains. Seven VNTR loci which can be easily scored with the technology used here were identified and used to genotype a collection of 89 clinical isolates that had previously been classified into 46 ribotypes, including 2 widespread ribotypes. Seventy-one different MLVA genotypes could be distinguished. With only two exceptions, strains with identical ribotypes were grouped together upon cluster analysis of the MLVA data. The 27 isolates with the most frequent ribotype were divided into 14 MLVA types, and the 18 isolates with the second most frequent ribotype were divided into 15 MLVA types. Analysis of a subset of 17 strains belonging to the major ribotype by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with the enzyme SpeI distinguished seven types, identical to the number of MLVA types in this subset. Our data show that MLVA typing of P. aeruginosa based on the first set of loci has a high discriminatory power. Because MLVA is highly reproducible and easily portable among laboratories, it represents a very promising tool for the molecular surveillance of P. aeruginosa. A free, online strain identification service based on the genotyping data produced herein has been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Onteniente
- Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France
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110
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Abstract
The characterization of pathogenic isolates plays a pivotal role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, generating the information necessary for identifying, tracking, and intervening against disease outbreaks. In 1998 multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was proposed as a nucleotide sequence-based approach that could be applied to many bacterial pathogens. It combined developments in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics with established population genetics techniques to provide a portable, reproducible, and scalable typing system that reflected the population and evolutionary biology of bacterial pathogens. MLST schemes have been developed for a variety of procaryotic and eucaryotic pathogens and the data generated have contributed to both epidemiological surveillance and fundamental studies of pathogen biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Urwin
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research and Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3SY, Oxford, UK
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111
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112
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Dinesh SD, Grundmann H, Pitt TL, Römling U. European-wide distribution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone C. Clin Microbiol Infect 2003; 9:1228-33. [PMID: 14686989 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2003.00793.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A collection of 77 epidemiologically unrelated Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates was screened for the occurrence of clone C isolates by the appearance of characteristic SpeI fragment patterns obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Three strains with a clone C characteristic SpeI fragment pattern were found which also harbored the clone C-specific plasmid either in the free form or chromosomally integrated. Genomic islands were detected in the new clone C strains, as in already characterized clone C strains. Clone C not only infected cystic fibrosis patients throughout Europe, but was also found in the UK as an isolate in urinary tract infections and in peritoneal dialysis fluid, in addition to an otitis media isolate. Therefore, P. aeruginosa clone C is widely distributed in Europe, with a broad pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Dinesh
- Research Group Clonal Variability, Division of Cell and Immune Biology, GBF-German Research Center for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
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113
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Botes J, Williamson G, Sinickas V, Gürtler V. Genomic typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates by comparison of Riboprinting and PFGE: correlation of experimental results with those predicted from the complete genome sequence of isolate PAO1. J Microbiol Methods 2003; 55:231-40. [PMID: 14500014 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-7012(03)00156-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The whole genomic typing of 21 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 15 intensive care unit (ICU) patients was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE using SpeI) and Riboprinting (using EcoRI and PvuII), and then the results were compared with predictions made from the whole genome sequence of P. aeruginosa PAO1. The analysis of electronic images from PFGE and Riboprinting by GelComparII demonstrated similar discrimination between PFGE and Riboprinting with PvuII enzyme; however, Riboprinting by EcoRI had reduced banding patterns and was shown to be of lower discrimination than PvuII. When analyzing isolates from patients, both PFGE and Riboprinting using PvuII enzyme gave equivalent results, with the exception of two isolates that were closely related by PvuII Riboprinting and unrelated by PFGE. These discrepancies in typing results can be explained and adjusted for by comparisons with the rrn properties and the SpeI restriction fragments predicted from the whole genome of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Properties of the rrn operon that need to be taken into account include: (i) restriction enzyme sites that produce one or two fragments for each rrn operon; (ii) genomic variability in ISR sequence length; (iii) different enzymes need to be used to determine differences in rrn operon copy number from Riboprints; and (iv) choice of a restriction enzyme that produces riboprinter bands derived from rrn operon regions that are highly variable within the genome and between isolates. This knowledge has ramifications for PFGE and Riboprinter design and analysis so that for each new species to be typed comparisons can be made using the whole genome sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie Botes
- Department of Microbiology, Melbourne Health Shared Pathology Services, C/O Post Office, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville 3050, Australia
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114
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Ko KS, Lee HK, Park MY, Kook YH. Mosaic structure of pathogenicity islands in Legionella pneumophila. J Mol Evol 2003; 57:63-72. [PMID: 12962307 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-002-2452-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A gene complex, dot/icm, located in two independent chromosomal loci of L. pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, is related to virulence. To investigate the evolutionary pattern of these pathogenicity islands of L. pneumophila, portions of four genes in the dot/icm complex, namely, dotA, dotB, icmB, and icmT, were amplified, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed, in addition to rpoB, which encodes an RNA polymerase beta-subunit. The nucleotide sequences and phylogenetic analyses of these five genes of 96 L. pneumophila strains revealed that several subgroups of L. pneumophila proliferated clonally. However, incongruent gene tree topologies and the results of statistical testing (Templeton Willcoxon signed-ranked and incongruence length differences tests) indicated that the evolutionary histories of these genes within the pathogenicity islands are not uniform, and that they constitute a mosaic structure. In addition, the nonuniform grouping of some reference strains suggests that intraspecific recombination might be still occurring in nature or in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwan Soo Ko
- Department of Microbiology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea
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115
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de la Torre E, Zapata D, Tello M, Mejía W, Frías N, García Peña FJ, Mateu EM, Torre E. Several Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype 4,5,12:i:- phage types isolated from swine samples originate from serotype typhimurium DT U302. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:2395-400. [PMID: 12791855 PMCID: PMC156524 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.6.2395-2400.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, plasmid profiling, and phage typing were used to characterize and determine possible genetic relationships between 48 Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolates of pig origin collected in Catalonia, Spain, from 1998 to 2000. The strains were grouped into 23 multidrug-resistant fljB-lacking S. enterica serovar 4,5,12:i:- isolates, 24 S. enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates, and 1 S. enterica serovar 4,5,12:-:- isolate. After combining the XbaI and BlnI macrorestriction profiles (XB profile), we observed 29 distinct subtypes which were grouped into seven main patterns. All 23 of the 4,5,12:i:- serovar strains and 10 serovar Typhimurium isolates were found to have pattern AR, and similarities of >78% were detected among the subtypes. Three of the serovar Typhimurium DT U302 strains (strains T3, T4, and T8) were included in the same 4,5,12:i:- serovar cluster and shared a plasmid profile (profile I) and a pattern of multidrug resistance (resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamide, tetracycline, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) commonly found in monophasic isolates. This led us to the conclusion that strains of the S. enterica 4,5,12:i:- serovar might have originated from an S. enterica serovar Typhimurium DT U302 strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- E de la Torre
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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116
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Kong F, Martin D, James G, Gilbert GL. Towards a genotyping system for Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus): use of mobile genetic elements in Australasian invasive isolates. J Med Microbiol 2003; 52:337-344. [PMID: 12676873 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.05067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study forms part of the development of an integrated genotyping system for Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) that can be used to study the population genetics of the organism and the pathogenesis and epidemiology of GBS disease. In recent previous studies, two sets of markers, the capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) gene cluster and surface protein antigen genes, have been used to assign molecular serotypes (MS) and protein-gene profiles (PGP) to more than 200 isolates. In the present study, five mobile genetic elements (MGE) have been used as a third set of markers, to characterize further 194 invasive isolates, recovered from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Of these, 97 % contained one or more of the five MGE, the distribution of which was related to MS and PGP, as illustrated by MS III, which is divisible into four serosubtypes with different combinations of the MGE (or none). Fifty-six different genotypes and eight genetic clusters were identified, each with different combinations of the three sets of molecular markers. Five predominant genotypes (Ia-1, Ib-1, III-1, III-2 and V-1) contained 62 % of the isolates and five of the eight genetic clusters contained 92 % of the isolates. The 17 CSF isolates were relatively widely distributed between 10 genotypes and across seven of the eight clusters. Further study is needed to determine whether these genotypes or clusters share common markers of increased virulence. In future, comparison of invasive with colonizing strains of GBS may elucidate the significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanrong Kong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Darcy Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145 Australia 2Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Diana Martin
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Darcy Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145 Australia 2Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gregory James
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Darcy Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145 Australia 2Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gwendolyn L Gilbert
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Darcy Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145 Australia 2Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
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117
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Abstract
Mapping, and ultimately preventing, the dissemination of infectious agents is an important topic in public health. Newly developed molecular-microbiological methods have contributed significantly to recent advances in the efficient tracking of the nosocomial and environmental spread of microbial pathogens. Not only has the application of novel technologies led to improved understanding of microbial epidemiology, but the concepts of population structure and dynamics of many of the medically significant microorganisms have advanced significantly also. Currently, genetic identification of microbes is also within the reach of clinical microbiology laboratory professionals including those without specialized technology research interests. This review summarizes the possibilities for high-throughput molecular-microbiological typing in adequately equipped medical microbiology laboratories from both clinical and fundamental research perspectives. First, the development and application of methods for large-scale comparative typing of serially isolated microbial strains are discussed. The outcome of studies employing these methods allows for long-term epidemiologic surveillance of infectious diseases. Second, recent methods enable an almost nucleotide-by-nucleotide genetic comparison of smaller numbers of strains, thereby facilitating the identification of the genetic basis of, for instance, medically relevant microbiological traits. Whereas the first approach provides insights into the dynamic spread of infectious agents, the second provides insights into intragenomic dynamics and genetic functionality. The current state of technology is summarized, and future perspectives are sketched.
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Affiliation(s)
- A van Belkum
- Erasmus MC, Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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118
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Cooper KLF, Goering RV. Development of a universal probe for electronic microarray and its application in characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus polC gene. J Mol Diagn 2003; 5:28-33. [PMID: 12552077 PMCID: PMC1907372 DOI: 10.1016/s1525-1578(10)60448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electronic microarray technology is an exceptionally accurate and effective technique for detecting and defining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA sequences. Target oligonucleotides are electronically addressed to a gel matrix containing streptavidin to which biotinylated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons are bound. Typically, a fluorescent-labeled reporter oligonucleotide specific for each locus of interest is hybridized and reported. We detail the development of a universal reporter system to replace the standard method that is used to detect many different sequences accurately. The universal reporter eliminates the need to synthesize specific labeled reporters for each SNP sequence thereby dramatically reducing the cost and time required for assay development. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated by successfully analyzing eight SNPs distributed within a highly variable 1-kb region of the polC gene from six isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L F Cooper
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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119
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Abstract
The genus Brucella contains alpha-Proteobacteria adapted to intracellular life within cells of a variety of mammals. Controversy has arisen concerning Brucella internal taxonomy, and it has been proposed that the DNA-DNA hybridization-based genomospecies concept be applied to the genus. According to this view, only one species, Brucella melitensis, should be recognized, and the classical species should be considered as biovars (B. melitensis biovar melitensis; B. melitensis biovar abortus; etc.). However, a critical reappraisal of the species concept, a review of the population structure of bacteria and the analysis of Brucella genetic diversity by methods other than DNA-DNA hybridization show that there are no scientific grounds to apply the genomospecies concept to this genus. On the other hand, an enlarged biological species concept allows the definition of Brucella species that are consistent with molecular analyses and support the taxonomical standing of most classical species. Both the host range as a long-recognized biological criterion and the presence of species-specific markers in outer membrane protein genes and in other genes show that B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. ovis, B. canis and B. neotomae are not mere pathovars (or nomenspecies) but biologically meaningful species. The status of B. suis is, however, less clear. These approaches should be useful to define species for the marine mammal Brucella isolates, as illustrated by the grouping of the isolates from pinnipeds or from cetaceans by omp2 gene analysis. It is shown that a correct Brucella species definition is important to understand the evolution of the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Moreno
- Tropical Disease Research Program, Veterinary School, National University, Apartado 304-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica
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120
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Simpson JM, Santo Domingo JW, Reasoner DJ. Microbial source tracking: state of the science. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2002; 36:5279-5288. [PMID: 12521151 DOI: 10.1021/es026000b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Although water quality of the Nation's lakes, rivers and streams has been monitored for many decades and especially since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, many still do not meet the Act's goal of "fishable and swimmable". While waterways can be impaired in numerous ways, the protection from pathogenic microbe contamination is most important for waters used for human recreation, drinking water and aquaculture. Typically, monitoring methods used for detecting potential pathogenic microorganisms in environmental waters are based upon cultivation and enumeration of fecal indicator bacteria (i.e. fecal coliforms, E. coli, and fecal enterococci). Currently, there is increasing interest in the potential for molecular fingerprinting methods to be used not only for detection but also for identification of fecal contamination sources. Molecular methods have been applied to study the microbial ecology of environmental systems for years and are now being applied to help improve our waters by identifying problem sources and determining the effect of implemented remedial solutions. Management and remediation of water pollution would be more cost-effective if the correct sources could be identified. This review provides an outline of the main methods that either have been used or have been suggested for use in microbial source tracking and some of the limitations associated with those methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce M Simpson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Water Supply Water Resources Division, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, USA
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121
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Coenye T, Spilker T, Martin A, LiPuma JJ. Comparative assessment of genotyping methods for epidemiologic study of Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:3300-7. [PMID: 12202570 PMCID: PMC130787 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.9.3300-3307.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We analyzed a collection of 97 well-characterized Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III isolates to evaluate multiple genomic typing systems, including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), BOX-PCR fingerprinting and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing. The typeability, reproducibility, and discriminatory power of these techniques were evaluated, and the results were compared to each other and to data obtained in previous studies by using multilocus restriction typing (MLRT). All methods showed excellent typeability. PFGE with SpeI was more reproducible than RAPD and BOX-PCR fingerprinting. The discriminatory power of the methods was variable, with PFGE and RAPD typing having a higher index of discrimination than BOX-PCR fingerprinting. In general, the results obtained by PFGE, BOX-PCR fingerprinting, and MLRT were in good agreement. Our data indicate that different genomic-based methods can be used to type B. cepacia genomovar III isolates depending on the situation and the epidemiologic question being addressed. PFGE and RAPD fingerprinting are best suited to addressing small-scale studies (i.e., local epidemiology), whereas BOX-PCR fingerprinting is more appropriate for large-scale studies (i.e., global epidemiology). In this regard, BOX-PCR fingerprinting can be considered a rapid and easy alternative to MLRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Coenye
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0646, USA
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122
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Evaluation of Genetic Relatedness of Bacteroides fragilis Strains Isolated from Different Sources by AP-PCR and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Assays. Anaerobe 2002. [DOI: 10.1006/anae.2002.0430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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123
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Struelens M. Molecular typing: a key tool for the surveillance and control of nosocomial infection. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2002; 15:383-5. [PMID: 12130934 DOI: 10.1097/00001432-200208000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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124
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Limansky AS, Viale AM. Can composition and structural features of oligonucleotides contribute to their wide-scale applicability as random PCR primers in mapping bacterial genome diversity? J Microbiol Methods 2002; 50:291-7. [PMID: 12031579 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-7012(02)00040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Among current genotypic methodologies, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD or AP-PCR) represents a widely employed assay for the evaluation of bacterial genomic diversity. A common bottleneck of this technique, however, is represented by the screening of useful informative primers to discriminate among isolates of a particular bacterial species. In an attempt to simplify this process, we evaluated here the utility of degenerate oligonucleotides to act as informative AP-PCR primers. For this purpose, a number of features (G+C contents, degeneracy rate, modifications at the 5' end) of related degenerate primers was tested for their effects in the generation of informative arrays from a set of bacterial genomes. Our results indicate that a combination of a wide base composition and a common palindromic structure at the 5' end of the sequences that compose the degenerate primers tested here beneficially resulted for the generation of informative arrays aimed to evaluate the bacterial genome heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana S Limansky
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000, Rosario, Argentina
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125
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Garaizar J, Porwollik S, Echeita A, Rementeria A, Herrera S, Wong RMY, Frye J, Usera MA, McClelland M. DNA microarray-based typing of an atypical monophasic Salmonella enterica serovar. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:2074-8. [PMID: 12037067 PMCID: PMC130817 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.6.2074-2078.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A multidrug-resistant fljB-lacking Salmonella enterica serovar [4,5,12:i:-] emerged in Spain in 1997. We analyzed the genome from four strains of this serovar using a microarray containing almost all the predicted protein coding regions of serovar Typhimurium strain LT2, including the pSLT plasmid. Only a few differences from serovar Typhimurium LT2 were observed, suggesting the serovar to be Typhimurium as well. Six regions of interest were identified from the microarray data. Cluster I was a deletion of 13 genes, corresponding to part of the regulon responsible for the anaerobic assimilation of allantoin. Clusters II and IV were associated with the absence of the Fels-1 and Fels-2 prophage. Cluster III was a small group of Gifsy-1 prophage-related genes that appeared to be deleted or replaced. Cluster V was a deletion of 16 genes, including iroB and the operon fljAB, which is reflected in the serovar designation. Region VI was the gene STM2240, which appears to have an additional homologue in these strains. The regions spanning the deletions involving the allantoin operon and the fljAB operon were PCR amplified and sequenced. PCR across these regions may be an effective marker for this particular emergent serovar. While the microarray data for all isolates of the new serovar were essentially identical for all LT2 chromosomal genes, the isolates differed in their similarity to pSLT, consistent with the heterogeneity in plasmid content among isolates of the new serovar. Recent isolates have acquired a more-complete subset of homologues to this virulence plasmid. In general, microarrays can provide useful complementary data to other typing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Garaizar
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, San Diego, California 92121, USA
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126
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Dalma-Weiszhausz DD, Chicurel ME, Gingeras TR. Microarrays and genetic epidemiology: a multipurpose tool for a multifaceted field. Genet Epidemiol 2002; 23:4-20. [PMID: 12112245 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The advent of molecular technologies that allow the collection and analysis of large amounts of genetic data is rapidly transforming the field of genetic epidemiology. Whether monitoring infectious outbreaks or identifying genotypic variations that underlie disease susceptibility, genetic epidemiology relies heavily on the analysis of multiple, independently derived results. By allowing the simultaneous monitoring of thousands of genetic or expression data points, microarrays are emerging as particularly powerful tools. Several recent reviews have described array manufacturing and the types of scientific questions that can exploit this technology, but few have addressed how the intended use of an array can dictate its design. This review will focus on this latter issue, with particular emphasis on the genetic epidemiology of infectious disease. The design of arrays for genotyping, expression profiling, and fingerprinting are presented, and examples of recent epidemiological studies are used to illustrate the applications' strong points and limitations. In addition to discussing arrays' ability to provide global views of gene identity or function, the review will describe design options for creating arrays that detect multiple genetic variations. It will also examine the reliability of array-generated fingerprints, assay accessibility, and possibilities for sharing and comparing data across studies. Although many challenges lie ahead, microarrays' multiple abilities appear uniquely poised to accelerate the advance of genetic epidemiology's multiple fronts.
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127
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Joyce EA, Chan K, Salama NR, Falkow S. Redefining bacterial populations: a post-genomic reformation. Nat Rev Genet 2002; 3:462-73. [PMID: 12042773 DOI: 10.1038/nrg820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction and recombination are essential for the survival of most eukaryotic populations. Until recently, the impact of these processes on the structure of bacterial populations has been largely overlooked. The advent of large-scale whole-genome sequencing and the concomitant development of molecular tools, such as microarray technology, facilitate the sensitive detection of recombination events in bacteria. These techniques are revealing that bacterial populations are comprised of isolates that show a surprisingly wide spectrum of genetic diversity at the DNA level. Our new awareness of this genetic diversity is increasing our understanding of population structures and of how these affect host pathogen relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Joyce
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 299 Campus Drive, Fairchild D 037, Stanford, California 94305-5402, USA.
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