Development of a new nomenclature for Salmonella typhimurium multilocus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA)

Euro Surveill. 2009 Apr 16;14(15):19174.

Abstract

Multilocus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) has recently become a widely used highly discriminatory molecular method for typing of the foodborne pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium. This method is based on amplification and fragment size analysis of five repeat loci. To be able to easily compare MLVA results between laboratories there is a need for a simple and definitive nomenclature for MLVA profiles. Based on MLVA results for all human S. Typhimurium isolates in Denmark from the last five years and sequence analysis of a selection of these isolates, we propose a MLVA nomenclature that indicates the actual number of repeat units in each locus. This nomenclature is independent of the equipment used for fragment analysis and, in principle, independent of the primers used. A set of reference strains is developed that can be used for easy normalisation of fragment sizes in each laboratory.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques / classification
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques / methods
  • DNA, Bacterial / classification
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling / classification
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Minisatellite Repeats* / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid* / genetics
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / genetics
  • Salmonella typhimurium / classification*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics*
  • Terminology as Topic*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Genetic Markers