Loci of variable numbers of tandem repeats dispersed in the genome of Mycobacterium avium were specified using Bioinformatics analysis. Their allele profiles are used as the genotype with the positioning information in the phylogenetic tree of M. avium. The technique provides a simple, rapid, and precise tool for investigating the epidemiology of M. avium derived from birds, domestic animals, wild animals, humans, and other sources.
(Research Team for Paratuberculosis, TEL +81-29-838-7805)