PCR METHODS FOR RAPID IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTINOBACILLUS-SEMINIS STRAINS

Twenty-four isolates of Actinobacillus seminis were typed by PCR ribot yping, repetitive extragenic palindromic element (REP)-based PCR, and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-based PCR. Five types were distinguished by REP-PCR, and nine types were distinguishe d by ERIC-PCR. PCR ribotyping produced the simplest pattern and could be useful for identification of A. seminis and for its differentiation from related species. REP-and ERIC-PCR could be used for strain diffe rentiation in epidemiological studies of A. seminis.