How does a Mycobacterium change its spots? Applying molecular tools to track diverse strains of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

Authors

John Bannantine, USDA ARS National Animal Disease CenterFollow
L.-L. Li, Penn State University, University Park
Srinand Sreevatsan, University of MinnesotaFollow
Vivek Kapur, Pennsylvania State UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Letters in Applied Microbiology 57, 165--173

doi:10.1111/lam.12109

Comments

U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Abstract

Defining genetic diversity in the wake of the release of several Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) genome sequences has become a major emphasis in the molecular biology and epidemiology of Johne’s disease research. These data can now be used to define the extent of strain diversity on the farm. However, to perform these important tasks, researchers must have a way to distinguish the many MAP isolates/strains that are present in the environment or host to enable tracking over time. Recent studies have described genetic diversity of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), of which MAP is a member, through pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, single sequence repeats, variable-number tandem repeats, genome rearrangements, single nucleotide polymorphisms and genomewide comparisons to identify insertions and deletions. Combinations of these methods can now provide discrimination sufficient for dependable strain tracking. These molecular epidemiology techniques are being applied to understand transmission of Johne’s disease within dairy cattle herds as well as identify which strains predominate in wildlife.