Identification of Balamuthia mandrillaris by PCR assay using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene as a target

J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Jan;41(1):453-5. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.1.453-455.2003.

Abstract

Balamuthia mandrillaris is an opportunistic pathogen that causes granulomatous amebic meningoencephalitis in animals, including humans. Based on sequence analysis of mitochondrial small-subunit-rRNA genes, we developed primers that amplify a Balamuthia-specific PCR product. These primers will be useful for retrospective analyses of fixed tissues and possible identification of Balamuthia in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / analysis*
  • DNA, Protozoan / analysis*
  • Lobosea / genetics
  • Lobosea / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / analysis*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S