Differentiation of Coxiella burnetii by Sequence Analysis of the Gene (com1) Encoding a 27‐kDa Outer Membrane Protein

Abstract

The gene (coml) encoding a 27-kDa outer membrane protein in 21 strains of Coxiella burnetii from a variety of clinical and geographical sources was sequenced for strain differentiation. The coml gene was highly conserved among all the strains tested but there were several differences in nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences. Based on the coml gene-specific nucleotides and deduced amino acids, the 21 strains were divided into four groups. Group 1 contained 14 strains originating from ticks, cattle and human cases of acute Q fever. Groups 2 and 3 included 2 and 3 strains, respectively, originating from human cases of chronic Q fever. Group 4 contained 2 strains originating from a human case of acute Q fever and a goat with abortion. The results indicated that the strains originating from ticks, cattle and human cases of acute Q fever differed at the molecular level from those of human chronic Q fever. This study suggests that a sequence analysis of the coml gene can be used for strain differentiation of C. burnetii.

Vanin‐1 controls granuloma formation and macrophage polarization in Coxiella burnetii infection

“…They amplify a 74-pb fragment of the C. burnetii com1 gene (GenBank accession No. AF318146), which is highly conserved among C. burnetii strains [37]. The specificity of the PCR product was confirmed by sequencing.…”

Sequence Comparison of the VP2 Variable Region of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Isolates from Vietnam.

“…Cloning and DNA sequencing: The procedures used for cloning and sequencing RT-PCR product were similar to those described previously [32]. For each IBDV strain, the identical sequence data from two positive clones containing an expected DNA insert were recorded and analysed.…”

Comparison of Japanese Isolates of Coxiella burnetii by PCR‐RFLP and Sequence Analysis

“…Fax: ϩ81-58-293-2946. E-mail: hfukushi@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp acute reference strain, Nine Mile, in the previous reports (15,25), suggesting that there is no chronic type of C. burnetii in Japan. Until now, no Japanese isolate was reported to be involved in chronic Q fever.…”

“…Up to 1999, a limited number of Japanese isolates were studied after they were adapted for cell culture for large-scale cultivation (15,(23)(24)(25). The use of celladapted isolates raises the possibility that the isolates were selected to have a certain in vitro character of acute strains (high infectivity to cultured cells).…”

“…Another fragment that was not digested by AccII was considered to be a chronic pattern (chronicϩplasmid group: Priscilla, ME and MAN strains; chronic∆plasmid group: GQ212, SQ217 and KoQ229 strains). Com1 gene PCR-RFLP was performed as reported by Zhang et al (25). Briefly, the com1 gene 1,061-bp fragment was amplified by PCR using primer pair OMP1/2.…”