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Title: Genomotyping and flaA Sequencing to Investigate Differences in Virulence of Campylobacter Isolates from Iceland

Author
item AKINS, DEANN - UGA
item Hiett, Kelli
item STINTZI, ALAIN - U OF OTTAWA
item Seal, Bruce
item HARRISON, MARK - UGA

Submitted to: Canadian Campylobacter Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/2006
Publication Date: 11/2/2006
Citation: Akins, D., Hiett, K.L., Stintzi, A., Seal, B.S., Harrison, M.A. 2006. Genomotyping and flaA Sequencing to Investigate Differences in Virulence of Campylobacter Isolates from Iceland. Canadian Campylobacter Conference.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are the leading cause of human enteritis in the United States, accounting for an estimated 2.4 million cases per year. Different Campylobacter spp. isolates vary in their virulence properties and sequence analysis of the single locus of the flaA short variable region (SVR) of Campylobacter spp. is a useful typing scheme to differentiate Campylobacter spp. isolates. Conversely, microarray-based genotyping provides a view of the entire genome such that potential genetic differences related to virulence factors among different C. jejuni isolates can be identified. This new technology, also known as genomotyping, involves the hybridization of an isolate’s genomic DNA to a microarray comprised of oligonucleotide probes specific for C. jejuni genome (NCTC 11168 and RM1221). Sixty-one C. jejuni isolates with defined spatial and temporal backgrounds, originally recovered in Iceland were identified and selected for flaA and genomotype analysis. The information obtained allowed us to identify putative virulence differences in the isolates recovered from different hosts, as well as determine if flaA SVR DNA sequence analysis was indicative of virulence. Genes previously determined in our lab to be differentially present were serine protease, DMSO reductase chain A, and tripeptide transporters.