LONG PCR-RIBOTYPING OF NONTYPABLE HAEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE

PCR-ribotyping, a new typing method based on long PCR, has been develo ped for nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). Ribosomal operons o f NTHi were amplified by long PCR and were found to be highly polymorp hic for internal HaeIII sites. The technique was applied to 49 isolate s previously subjected to conventional ribotyping, and the two methods showed a high level of concordance for serial isolates from individua l subjects. PCR-ribotyping provides a powerful new typing tool for str ain characterization in epidemiological investigations of NTHi.