Viral and microbial genotyping by a combination of multiplex competitive hybridization and specific extension followed by hybridization to generic tag arrays.

Detection and identification of microbial pathogens are important for disease diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis measurements. By introducing an innovative technique, we show a robust, reliable and accurate microarray-based method for identification of microbial pathogens. The technique utilizes a unique combination of multiplex competitive hybridization, which enhances hybridization accuracy of oligonucleotides to the specific target, and apyrase-mediated allele-specific extension, which improves specific extension. As a model system, different clinically relevant human papillomaviruses were selected for this study. The method generated accurate results and proves to be promising for specific and correct microbial and viral typing.