Identification of the high-virulence clone of group B streptococci by using a probe containing a putative aldolase gene.

ABSTRACT

A high-virulence clone (HVC) was proposed as causing much of the morbidity and mortality when a collection of group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates was examined by multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis. HVC isolates could be further distinguished by their inability to grow at 40 degrees C, and a temperature-sensitive aldolase was identified as responsible for this characteristic. In the present study, the HVC was sought in a collection of 57 GBS isolates by hybridization with a probe containing a putative aldolase gene on genomic DNA restriction enzyme digests. Isolates were initially classified as HVC or non-HVC by their inability to grow at 40 degrees C. Three serotype III invasive isolates had the HVC control restriction/hybridization pattern. They were also unable to grow at 40 degrees C. The remaining 11 invasive and all carrier isolates showed a pattern identical to that of the non-HVC control. These results provide additional support for the existence of a highly virulent clonal group among serotype III isolates and suggest that hybridization with a probe containing the aldolase gene on DNA restriction enzyme digests can be an alternative method for identifying highly virulent isolates.