Differential identification of Mycoplasma pulmonis and M. arthritidis using PCR-based RFLP

Abstract

Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma arthritidis were differentially identified using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). A genus-specific sequence of mycoplasma was amplified by PCR and the PCR products were digested with the restriction enzyme Smal. Each PCR product from the four isolates of M. pulmonis was digested with Smal into two fragments; however, there was no digestion in the PCR product from M. arthritidis. This method might be useful to differentiate infection of M. pulmonis from that of M. arthritidis.