Establishment and application of PCR assay for identification of <I>Neisseria meningitidis </I>serogroup 29E, X, and Z

ObjectiveTo establish PCR assay to identify INeisseria meningitides/I serogroup 29E, X and Z. MethodsPCR primers targeting the variation regions of IctrA/I gene were designed and synthesized to amplify IN.meningitidis/I sewrogroup 29E, X and Z. The established PCR assay was used to detect 41 samples of suspected IN.meningitidis/I isolates. ResultsThe IctrA/I gene from IN.meningitidis/I serogroup 29E, X and Z could be amplified with the three pairs of primers respectively. The amplicons were 667 bp (29E), 525 bp (X), and 667 bp (Z). No cross-reactions were observed among three serogroups or with other serogroups. Of 41 samples isolated, 7 were positive for serogroup 29E and 2 for serogroup X. ConclusionThe PCR assay in this study could indentify N. meningitidis serogroup 29E, X, and Z accurately and specifically.