Identification and characterization of variable-number tandem-repeat markers for the molecular epidemiological analysis of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC.

Variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis has been developed for the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia using the genome of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony (M.m.m. SC) PG1. Genome analysis identified 60 VNTRs within the M.m.m. SC genome; however, screening of these VNTRs with a panel of strains identified only three VNTRs that gave allelic variation. Testing of three VNTRs against 39 strains of diverse geographical origin gave 12 different VNTR profiles groups. VNTR analysis may represent a new rapid tool for subtyping M.m.m. SC isolates.