Author/Editor		Mueller-Premru, Manica; Špik, Vesna
Title		Epidemiological molecular methods in microbiology
Translated title		Molekularno epidemiološke metode v mikrobiologiji
Type		članek
Source		In: Luzar B, Poljak M, Glavač D, et al, editors. Molekularna diagnostika v medicini. Zbornik 15. spominsko srečanje akademika Janeza Milčinskega, 36. memorialni sestanek profesorja Janeza Plečnika, 1. srečanje Slovenskega društva za humano genetiko z mednarodno udeležbo; 2005 30 nov - 2 dec; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Medicinska fakulteta,
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 257-62
Language		eng
Abstract		Epidemiological molecular typing is performed to identify accurately the origin of microorganisms causing outbreaks in a hospital and in a community, and to track their transmission between individuals. It is based on the fact that bacterial genomes of the same species vary significantly in size and structure. The isolates from the same source are genetically indistinguishable (clones) or closely related, while the isolates from different sources are genetically unrelated. The differences in genetic material are most accurately assessed by DNA-and PCR-based genome fingerprinting methods. One of the earliest methods used is the restriction fragment length polymorphism of chromosomal DNA, eventually combined with hybridization or modified to macrorestriction analysis by PFGE. In recent years, PCR-based methods took the advantage of amplification with the primers that recognize the identified sequences and repetitive sequences (rep-PCR) and with the arbitrary primers in random amplification of polymorphic DNA-RAPD. Recently, sequencing of portions of one or several genes was developed. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms at discriminatory power, reproducibility, ease of application, speed, etc. It is important to choose the most appropriate method or combination of methods for different microorganisms and different epidemiological situations.
Descriptors		MICROBIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION POLYMORPHISM, RESTRICTION FRAGMENT LENGTH ELECTROPHORESIS, GEL, PULSED-FIELD DNA FINGERPRINTING