High-resolution melt-curve analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-HRM) for the characterisation of pathogenic leptospires: intra-serovar divergence, inter-serovar convergence, and evidence of attenuation in Leptospira reference collections
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
High-resolution melt-curve analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-HRM) is a novel technology that has emerged as a possible method to characterise leptospires to serovar level. RAPD-HRM has recently been used to measure intra-serovar convergence between strains of the same serovar as well as inter-serovar divergence between strains of different serovars. The results indicate that intra-serovar heterogeneity and inter-serovar homogeneity may limit the application of RAPD-HRM in routine diagnostics. They also indicate that genetic attenuation of aged, high-passage-number isolates could undermine the use of RAPD-HRM or any other molecular technology. Such genetic attenuation may account for a general decrease seen in titres of rabbit hyperimmune antibodies over time. Before RAPD-HRM can be further advanced as a routine diagnostic tool, strains more representative of the wild-type serovars of a given region need to be identified. Further, RAPD-HRM analysis of reference strains indicates that the routine renewal of reference collections, with new isolates, may be needed to maintain the genetic integrity of the collections.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Pathogens and Global Health |
Volume | 104 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 427-37 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 2047-7724 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2010 |
- Animals, DNA Fingerprinting, DNA, Bacterial, Humans, Leptospira, Leptospirosis, Mice, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique, Rats, Transition Temperature
Research areas
ID: 130477709