Stable marker on flagellin gene sequences related to arabinose non-assimilating pathogenic Burkholderia pseudomallei

Using PCR-based isolation and sequence analysis of the flagellin gene from two distinct biotypes of Burkholderia pseudomallei, a 15-bp deletion was fo und within the variable domain of the gene in isolates capable of assimilat ing arabinose (Ara+). This finding led to the development of a PCR-based me thod in order to differentiate and identify pathogenic B. pseudomallei for epidemiological study. A pair of specific primers was designed covering the 15-bp deletion region at the variable domain. PCR-amplification products o f 176 and 191 bp in size were detected from 41 Ara+ isolates and 39 Ara- is olates of B. pseudomallei, respectively, Moreover, flagellin gene fragments of other bacterial species tested in this study were not amplified using t hese primers. The results suggest that the flagellin gene sequences of both B. pseudomallei biotypes in this region are stable and distinct. This meth od can be applied and useful for the epidemiological study of B. pseudomall ei.