Exploration of Biases That Affect the Interpretation of Restriction Fragment Patterns Produced by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis

摘要: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been used extensively in epidemiological investigations of bacteria, especially during food-borne outbreaks or nosocomial infections. The relationship between similarities PFGE patterns and true genetic relatedness is poorly understood. In this study, computer-simulated populations Escherichia coli isolates were created by mutating the sequence E. K-12 strain MG1655. simulated then digested, again through simulation, with different restriction enzymes analyzed for their techniques. Errors associated band determination matching incorporated into analyses, as both these error types have shown to affect interpretations. These errors increased apparent isolates. use multiple improved fidelity results analyses similarities. findings, when they are combined from laboratory studies, emphasize need inclusion additional data order make more accurate