Differentiation of Cytomegalovirus Strains by Restriction Analysis of DNA Sequences Amplified from Clinical Specimens

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Abstract
DNA sequences of 2.0 to 2.7 kb were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from four genes (major immediate-early, DNA polymerise, and glycoproteins B and H) of20 distinct strains of cytomegalovirus (CMV). Analysis ofthe unpurified reaction products using selected restriction enzymes showed sufficient diversity of profiles among strains to differentiate all 20. Sequences suitable for restriction analysis were also amplified directly from clinical urine specimens and showed restriction profiles comparable to those ofsequences amplified fromcorresponding CMV culture isolates. Ability to identify specific strains of CMV in amplification products facilitates molecular epidemiologic studies.