Identification of brucella species and biotypes using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Sascha Al Dahouk; Herbert Tomaso; Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff; Wolf D Splettstoesser; Holger C Scholz; Heinrich Neubauer

doi:10.1080/10408410500304041

Identification of brucella species and biotypes using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Crit Rev Microbiol. 2005;31(4):191-6. doi: 10.1080/10408410500304041.

Authors

Sascha Al Dahouk¹, Herbert Tomaso, Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff, Wolf D Splettstoesser, Holger C Scholz, Heinrich Neubauer

Affiliation

¹ Department of Bacteriology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, D-80937 Munich, Germany. SaschaAIDahouk@bundeswehr.org

PMID: 16417200
DOI: 10.1080/10408410500304041

Abstract

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis causing reproductive failures in livestock and a severe multi-organ disease in humans. The genus Brucella is divided into seven species and various biotypes differing in pathogenicity and host specificity. Although Brucella spp. represent a highly homogenous group of bacteria, RFLPs of selected genes display sufficient polymorphism to distinguish Brucella species and biovars. PCR-RFLP analysis shows excellent typeability, reproducibility, stability, and epidemiological concordance. Consequently, PCR-RFLP assays of specific gene loci can serve as tools for diagnostic, epidemiological, taxonomic, and evolutionary studies. Various PCR-RFLPs used for the identification of Brucella species and biotypes are reviewed.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics*
Brucella / classification
Brucella / genetics
Brucella / isolation & purification*
Brucellosis / diagnosis*
Genome, Bacterial
Humans
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Species Specificity

Substances

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins