Identification of a DNA methyltransferase gene carried on a pathogenicity island-like element (VPAI) in Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its prevalence among clinical and environmental isolates.

ABSTRACT: In this study we identified a putative virulence-associated DNA methyltransferase (MTase) gene carried on a novel 22.79-kb pathogenicity island-like element (VPAI) in V. parahaemolyticus. The V. parahaemolyticus MTase gene was shown by PCR to be prevalent (>98%) in pandemic thermostable direct hemolysin gene-positive isolates, which suggests that VPAI may confer unique virulence traits to pandemic strains of V. parahaemolyticus.

SUBMITTER: Wang HZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1489626 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature