Genetic analysis of a meningococcal population based on polymorphism of the pilA-pilB locus: a molecular approach for meningococcal epidemiology

J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Mar;35(3):745-50. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.3.745-750.1997.

Abstract

The genetic relationships between 88 meningococcal strains were analyzed by using the polymorphism of the pilA gene and the multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. While a good agreement was observed, correlation with antigenic formula (serogroup, serotype, and serosubtype) was incomplete. The inadequacy of serological classification alone in outbreak surveillance may be overcome by DNA-based approaches.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Fimbriae Proteins*
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Neisseria meningitidis / classification
  • Neisseria meningitidis / genetics*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / isolation & purification
  • Oxidoreductases*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Serotyping

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fimbriae Proteins
  • Oxidoreductases
  • pilB protein, Bacteria