Molecular typing for Neisseria meningitidis based on porA typing

Background and Aim : Neisseria meningitidis as the cause of meningitis have different serogroups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular properties of N. meningitidis strains among Iranian cases. In the present study, ۴۵۰ samples were collected from children under ۵ years of age. Detection of Neisseria genus was done by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Multiplex PCR was used to identify the serogroups of N. meningitides. The sequencing of variable regions of porA gene was performed for detection of the subserogroups.In the present study, ۱۳۷ (۳۰.۴۴%) of Neisseria was isolated that ۴ (۰.۸۸%) isolates have belonged to N. meningitidis and ۱۳۳ (۲۹.۵۵%) to other species. Multiplex PCR results showed that one isolate was belonged to serogroup A and ۳ to serogroup B. The analysis of amplified VR۱ and VR۲ variable regions of porA showed ۱۰۰% similarity for the serogroup A strain with BZ۸۳N strain and for the serogroup B strains with N. meningitidis strain ۵۲۸.In accordance with other findings in Asia, serogroups A and B were the most serogroups of N. meningitides. Sequencing of variable regions of porA could identify the subserogroups of isolates.Thus, sequencing of porA could be a valuable method for identification of N. meningitides strains in epidemiological studies.

Keywords:

Neisseria meningitides , PorA , Sequencing , PCR , typing