Coexistence of multiple multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis subtypes of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 027 strains within fecal specimens

J Clin Microbiol. 2010 Mar;48(3):985-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02012-09. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

Abstract

We investigated whether multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) typing could identify different subtypes of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 within the same feces specimen. Five of 39 specimens yielded at least one isolate with an MLVA profile different (more than five summed tandem repeat differences) from that of other isolates in the same specimen, thereby potentially obscuring epidemiological links between C. difficile infection cases.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Typing Techniques*
  • Clostridioides difficile / classification*
  • Clostridioides difficile / genetics*
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
  • DNA Fingerprinting*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Minisatellite Repeats
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Ribotyping

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial