Characterization of Mycoplasmas by RAPD Fingerprinting

The diagnosis and typing of microorganisms of human and veterinary significance are vitally important in the rapid and effective treatment of infectious diseases. Traditionally, the growth of bacteria in specific media and/or the immunological detection of surface antigens is used to identify and compare the infectious agents. Although these procedures are considered routine techniques, many microorganisms, including mycoplasmas, are difficult to grow or share common antigens responsible for serological crossreactivity. Diagnostic microbiology laboratories are continuously updating methods in an effort to provide highly accurate, inexpensive, and rapid results for clinicians and research scientists. Genomic methods, such as DNA fingerprinting, DNA and RNA probes, hybridization, and PCR, meet most of these criteria.