Molecular epidemiology of bovine, ovine and caprine Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis field isolates archived at Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute by Short Sequence Repeats (SSR) analysis

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the ethiological agent of paratuberculosis in ruminants leading to exensive economical loss. Recently, application of Short Sequence Repeat (SSR) anylsis in genotyping of MAP, has come to attention. In the present work results from application of a two-locus (SSR8 & SSR9) SSR typing system on three Iranian field and one laboratory strain have been addressed. Three Iranian field and one laboratory strain were incorporated in the study. Identification of these as MAP was achieved through F57-PCR and IS900-PCR. The Amonsin version of SSR typyng system was conducted on the bacteria under study using SSR8 and SSR9 loci. Either of the SSR8 and SSR9 produced two alleles. A larger allel of 781 bp and a smaller allele of 778 bp at SSR8 and two alleles of 581 and 578 bp long at SSR9. A single SSR8/SSR9 pattern was shared by the bovine and ovine MAP isolates plus the laboratory strain while the caprine isolate represented a different type. If Iran holds a heterogenous MAP population , we assume detection of at least two SSR types in this work is a likely reflection of such diversity but how extensive such diversity might be further studies are required.