Rapid Identification of Diphtheria Bacteria in Russia
Author Information
Author(s): Svetlana Kombarova, Chung Kim, Viatcheslav Melnikov, Michael Reeves, Olja Borisova, Izabella Mazurova, Tanja Popovic
Primary Institution: Gabrichevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology
Hypothesis
Can random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reliably identify the epidemic clonal group of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Russia?
Conclusion
RAPD is a rapid and reliable method for identifying the epidemic clonal group of C. diphtheriae associated with the diphtheria epidemic in Russia.
Supporting Evidence
- RAPD was shown to be as discriminative as standard ribotyping.
- All but one isolate of ribotypes G1 or G4 were correctly identified as belonging to the G1/4 RAPD group.
- Seven individual electrophoretic types (ETs) were identified among the isolates.
Takeaway
Scientists found a quick way to tell if bacteria causing diphtheria in Russia are part of a specific group, which helps in tracking and preventing the disease.
Methodology
The study compared RAPD and ribotyping methods on 199 C. diphtheriae isolates collected from 1995 to 1997.
Limitations
RAPD and ribotyping methods are time-consuming, taking several days to produce results.
Participant Demographics
Isolates were collected from different regions of Russia, including clinically diagnosed diphtheria patients and carriers.
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