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Review
. 2013 Aug 29;18(35):20565.
doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.35.20565.

Development and application of MLVA methods as a tool for inter-laboratory surveillance

C A Nadon  1 , E Trees, L K Ng, E Møller Nielsen, A Reimer, N Maxwell, K A Kubota, P Gerner-Smidt; MLVA Harmonization Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Review

Development and application of MLVA methods as a tool for inter-laboratory surveillance

C A Nadon et al. Euro Surveill. .

Abstract

Multiple-locus variable-number of tandem-repeats analysis (MLVA) has emerged as a valuable method for subtyping bacterial pathogens and has been adopted in many countries as a critical component of their laboratory-based surveillance. Lack of harmonisation and standardisation of the method, however, has made comparison of results generated in different laboratories difficult, if not impossible, and has therefore hampered its use in international surveillance. This paper proposes an international consensus on the development, validation, nomenclature and quality control for MLVA used for molecular surveillance and outbreak detection based on a review of the current state of knowledge.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

None declared.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Typical organisation of a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) locus
The arrows point to the annealing sites for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers in the conserved region flanking the repeats.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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