0
Based on eight loci, and when performed on isolates from different farms in different countries, as well as type and reference strains, the MLVA technique developed was highly discriminatory (Hunter and Gaston discriminatory index, 0.938 [95% confidence interval, 0.9175 to 0.9584]) while retaining a high phylogenetic value. Using the technique, the species was shown to be diverse (44 MLVA types from 172 isolates and strains), although isolates were stable in herds over time. The population structure appeared to be clonal. The finding of B. hyodysenteriae MLVA type 3 in piggeries in three European countries, as well as other, related, strains in different countries, suggests that spreading of the pathogen via carrier pigs is likely. MLVA overcame drawbacks associated with previous typing techniques for B. hyodysenteriae and was a powerful method for epidemiologic and population structure studies on this important pathogenic spirochete.
Á. Hidalgo, A. Carvajal, T. La, G. Naharro, P. Rubio, N.D. Phillips and D.J. Hampson. Tandem-Repeat Analysis of the Swine Dysentery Pathogen, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2010. Vol. 48 (8):2859-2865.
