ARS | Publication request: Analysis of Campylobacter jejuni Whole Genome DNA Microarrays to Identify Gene Differences for Use in Strain Subtyping

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology General Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 30, 2008
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Citation: Englen, M.D., Pittenger, L.G., Frye, J.G., Reeves, J., Mcnerney, V., Cray, P.J., Harrison, M.A. 2008. Analysis of Campylobacter jejuni Whole Genome DNA Microarrays to Identify Gene Differences for Use in Strain Subtyping. American Society for Microbiology General Meeting. CD-ROM P-049.

Technical Abstract: Background: Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of gastroenteritis in humans and is carried in many common food animals. In order to reduce human infections a better understanding of Campylobacter epidemiology is needed. One way to improve this is the identification of genes that allow for the determination of the host source of Campylobacter and the geographical region from which it was isolated. A potential technique for this purpose that has recently been developed for Campylobacter is comparative genome indexing (CGI) using whole genome DNA microarrays. The main objective of this study was to use CGI to identify the most significant or informative variable genetic markers from C. jejuni isolated in the U.S. from humans, chickens, and beef cattle. Methods: One hundred and thirty-one geographically diverse C. jejuni strains were selected from a collection of human, cattle and chicken isolates. Genomic DNA from each isolate was labeled and hybridized to microarrays composed of C. jejuni strains NCTC11168 and RM1221 genes. The SAS program was used to analyze the presence or absence of genes and determine which variable genes were most informative. Results: Statistical analysis of the whole genome data from each isolate identified a total of 134 significant genes for use in differentiating these isolates by host source and U.S. geographic region. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that development of CGI as a molecular subtyping tool for C. jejuni offers a highly effective and informative means of further understanding the epidemiology and population genetics of this ubiquitous pathogen.