Sie befinden Sich nicht im Netzwerk der Universität Paderborn. Der Zugriff auf elektronische Ressourcen ist gegebenenfalls nur via VPN oder Shibboleth (DFN-AAI) möglich. mehr Informationen...
The avian and human pathogen
Chlamydophila (
C.)
psittaci represents a genetically heterogeneous species. To facilitate epidemiological surveys, more rapid yet highly specific molecular tests are needed. Currently used typing methods, i.e. serotyping and PCR-RFLP, have only limited sensitivity and are incapable of covering the wide spectrum of naturally occurring types of
C. psittaci strains. In the present study, a new DNA microarray assay based on the ArrayTube
® (AT) technology was used to genotype
C. psittaci in 98 isolates and 23 clinical tissue samples. The present array carries 35 oligonucleotide probes derived from variable domains 2 and 4 of the
ompA gene. The assay proved highly sensitive, allowing correct genotyping of DNA from 2 inclusion-forming units.
The results of DNA microarray genotyping of cultured strains proved highly concordant with the data from PCR-RFLP typing and serotyping. Sequencing of the
ompA gene served as the reference test to verify the accuracy of AT genotyping results. In 15 instances (15.3%), strains were successfully typed by the AT assay, while serotyping and/or PCR-RFLP genotyping failed to produce unambiguous results. Eleven of these samples were
ompA sequenced to confirm the AT findings. In addition to the currently accepted nine
ompA genotypes, the microarray test was shown to recognise new provisional genotypes, such as Mat116 and YP84. In conclusion, the new AT assay proved to be suitable for rapid, sensitive and reproducible genotyping of
C. psittaci strains and can be recommended for routine diagnosis.