Open AccessA possible pitfall in the identification of Burkholderia mallei using molecular identification systems based on the sequence of the flagellin fliC gene
Author(s) -
Sprague Lisa D,
Zysk Gregor,
Hagen Ralf M,
Meyer Hermann,
Ellis Jill,
Anuntagool Narisara,
Gauthier Yves,
Neubauer Heinrich
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2002.tb00629.x
Subject(s) - flagellin , biology , burkholderia pseudomallei , microbiology and biotechnology , melioidosis , genetics , gene , burkholderia , polymerase chain reaction , sequence analysis , bacteria
Amotile Burkholderia mallei and motile Burkholderia pseudomallei display a high similarity with regard to phenotype and clinical syndromes, glanders and melioidosis. The aim of this study was to establish a fast and reliable molecular method for identification and differentiation. Despite amotility, the gene of the filament forming flagellin ( fliC ) could be completely sequenced in two B. mallei strains. Only one mutation was identified discriminating between B. mallei and B. pseudomallei . A polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was designed making use of the absence of an Ava II recognition site in B. mallei . All seven B. mallei , 12 out of 15 B. pseudomallei and 36 closely related apathogenic Burkholderia thailandensis strains were identified correctly. However, in three B. pseudomallei strains a point mutation at gene position 798 (G to C) disrupted the Ava II site. Therefore, molecular systems based on the fliC sequence can be used for a reliable proof of strains of the three species but not for the differentiation of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei isolates.