Aim: To study structure of sak0192 gene in S. agalactiae strains isolated from animals and to assess potential for using it as a molecular epidemiologic marker.
Materials and methods: One hundred and fourteen strains of S. agalactiae isolated from cow milk were used. Presence of sak0192 gene as well as pathogenicity genes bac, bca, scpB was determined by PCR. Alleles of sak0192 gene were identified by SSCP method, and their nucleotide sequences--by sequencing.
Results: In sak0192 gene of S. agalactiae strains direct repeats and spacers were revealed as well as heterogeneity in its nucleotide sequence. Eight different alleles of sak0192 gene were identified in 114 strains, five of which were characteristic only for strains isolated from animals. Complex analysis of sak0192 gene allele and presence of bac, bca, and scpB revealed 16 different genetic variants, only 3 of which were characteristic for strains isolated from animals and from humans.
Conclusion: Polymorphism of sak0192 gene could be used for diagnostics and differentiation of S. agalactiae strains and, together with combination of pathogenicity genes bac, bca, and scpB, for identification of epidemically significant clones--agents of infectious disease in humans and animals.