Detection of the lst gene in different serogroups and LOS immunotypes of Neisseria meningitidis

The sialylation of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of Nesseria meningitidis i s mediated by the LOS sialyltransferase enzyme encoded by the Ist gene. PCR using four sets of primers that targeted to different regions of the Ist g ene was used to survey the distribution of ist in different serogroups and LOS immunotypes of N. meningitidis as well as other Neisseria species. Whil e the Ist gene was found in N. meningitidis strains regardless of their cap sular serogroup and LOS structures, the gene is also found in N. gonorrhoea e, N. lactamica, N. polysaccharea, and N. subflava biovar subflava. The pre sence of the Ist gene in these organisms and the sialylation of their LOS a ntigens were discussed. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiological Soc ieties. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.