RAPD PCR detects co-colonisation of multiple group B streptococcus genotypes: A practical molecular technique for screening multiple colonies.
J Microbiol Methods 2021;
190:106322. [PMID:
34506810 PMCID:
PMC9395992 DOI:
10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106322]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. The biggest contributing factor of neonatal infections is due to vertical transmission from maternal colonisation of GBS in the genitourinary tract. Multiple serotype colonisation is often not investigated in epidemiological studies, but it is an important consideration for serotype-based vaccine development and implementation to ensure less abundant serotypes are not under-represented. In this study, we show that RAPD PCR is a quick tool useful in screening the presence of genetically different strains using multiple colony picks from a single patient swab. We observed a maximum of five different GBS strains colonising a single patient at a specific time.
Co-colonisation of GBS strains is present in pregnant women and infants.
GBS serotype acquisition and loss is a common occurrence during colonisation.
RAPD PCR can be used as a screening tool to identify genetically distinct strains.
Assay may be useful to complement serotyping before sending GBS isolates for further characterisations.
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