A single emm gene-specific oligonucleotide probe does not recognise all members of the Streptococcus pyogenes M type 1 |
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Authors: | Tim J. Penney Diana R. Martin Liam C. Williams Sheree A. de Malmanche Peter L. Bergquist |
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Affiliation: | ESR Communicable Disease Centre, PO Box 50-348, Porirua, New Zealand; The Centre for Gene Technology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | Abstract Serological typing of the streptococcal M protein has recently been challenged by a number of unique molecular methodologies based on oligonucleotide recognition of allelic variations within the M protein ( emm ) gene. In these methods, stringent hybridization of an oligonucleotide probe to a polymerase chain reaction amplified emm gene is used as confirmation of specific M type identity. A sample of 17 isolates from 7 previously defined distinct genotypes were tested using a single M1 oligonucleotide probe. Isolates from only three of the genotypes hybridized with the probe. The results demonstrate that a single emm -specific oligonucleotide probe can not identify all members of M type 1, as defined by conventional serotyping using polyclonal antisera. |
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Keywords: | Streptococcus pyogenes M protein Oligonucleotide probe Allelic polymorphism Molecular epidemiology |
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