The aim of the present project is to evaluate the performances of multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) for the genotyping of clinical isolates belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in cystic fibrosis (CF).
In a first step, polymorphic minisatellite loci will be identified in the sequenced genomes of B. cenocepacia, which is one of the two predominant species in CF. The selected VNTR markers will be tested on some fifteen reference strains and MLVA will be then applied to the characterization of three panels of 30 clinical isolates from the collection of the Observatoire cepacia : proficiency panel (unrelated isolates) ; epidemiologically related panel ; stability panel (successive isolates from chronically colonised patients).
The applicability of the MLVA scheme to other species, especially B. multivorans, has to be further investigated. Beside the interest for the epidemiological surveillance of colonisations, the constitution of data bases would allow a large scale characterization of clinical and environnemental isolates, in view to improve our knowledge of the routes of acquisition of Bcc organisms and of the genotype-pathogenicity relationships.
