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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2004, p. 2718-2723, Vol. 42, No. 6
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.6.2718-2723.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

DNA Sequence Analysis of the PorB Protein of Nonserotypeable Serogroup C ET-15 Meningococci Suggests a Potential Mutational Hot Spot on Their Serotype Antigens

Dennis K. S. Law,* Averil M. Henderson, and Raymond S. W. Tsang

CNS Infection and Vaccine Preventable Bacterial Diseases Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Received 18 November 2003/ Returned for modification 9 January 2004/ Accepted 2 March 2004

The nucleotide sequences of the PorB proteins from 28 nonserotypeable serogroup C ET-15 meningococci recovered from invasive meningococcal disease cases were determined. PCR amplification of the porB genes responsible for encoding the serotype antigen was used for DNA sequence determination and identification of the nature of the serotype antigen. DNA sequencing revealed that three strains were of serotype 2a, and of the remaining 25 strains, 20 were found to have an identical single point mutation in the region of the VR3 gene, which encodes surface-exposed loop VI, where the serotype 2a epitope resides. This nonsynonymous mutation was confirmed by synthetic peptide immunochemical analysis to confer new serospecificity to these serotype 2a mutants. This finding of a potential novel mutational hot spot on the PorB proteins of meningococci may have implications for pathogenesis and vaccine development.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: CNS Infection and Vaccine Preventable Bacterial Diseases Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3R2, Canada. Phone: (204) 789-6017. Fax: (204) 789-2018. E-mail: dennis_law{at}hc-sc.gc.ca.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2004, p. 2718-2723, Vol. 42, No. 6
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.6.2718-2723.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Cameron, M. L., Tsang, R. S. W. (2007). Analysis of Phenotypic Variants of the Serogroup C ET-15 Clone of Neisseria meningitidis by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 2351-2352 [Full Text]  


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