The detection of the sialoglycoprotease gene and assay for sialoglycoprotease activity among isolates of Pasteurella haemolytica A1 strains, serotypes A13, A14, T15 and A16.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers to the sialoglycoprotease gene (gcp) of Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A, serotype 1 amplified a 1-kb fragment from each of P. haemolytica serotypes A7, A13, A14 and A16, but not T15; which was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization analysis. Using a sialoglycoprotease (Gcp) activity assay, Gcp activity was found in serotypes A13, A14 and A16. Inclusion of these three serotypes confirms that all recognized A biotypes are positive for both gcp gene and activity, with the exception of serotype A11 (which has a different genetic organization and exhibits no Gcp activity). Furthermore, all recognized T biotypes are negative for both the gene and Gcp activity.