Molecular typing of avian Pasteurella multocida isolates from Iran by PCR-RFLP of OmpH gene

Molecular typing of twenty-five Pasteurella multocida isolates has been assessed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of a species-specific PCR assay. All of the P.multocida isolates were recovered from fowl cholera outbreaks in Northern provinces of Iran. Amplification was based on the gene ompH, encoding a major outer membrane protein (protein H). PCR with ompH primers amplified a 1.2 kb fragment. RFLP analysis of this fragment was carried out using EcoRI, HindIII and CfoI endonucleases. EcoRI, HindIII and cfoI detected 1, 2 and 3 restriction sites among the isolates, respectively. Combination of different restriction patterns of these enzymes divided 25 isolates of P.multocida into 7 RFLP types. No relationship was found between RFLP type and a specific somatic serotype. However, 56% (14) of the isolates with RFLP type I belonged to somatic serotype 1. All of the isolates were identified as capsular group A. The PCR-RFLP of the ompH gene was found to be potentially a useful method for typing of P.multocida and therefore, for studying the epidemiology of P. multocida infections.