Identification of Balamuthia mandrillaris by PCR assay using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene as a target.

ABSTRACT: Balamuthia mandrillaris is an opportunistic pathogen that causes granulomatous amebic meningoencephalitis in animals, including humans. Based on sequence analysis of mitochondrial small-subunit-rRNA genes, we developed primers that amplify a Balamuthia-specific PCR product. These primers will be useful for retrospective analyses of fixed tissues and possible identification of Balamuthia in vivo.

SUBMITTER: Booton GC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC149639 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature