Multiple-Locus Variable-Number of Tandem-Repeats Analysis as Subtyping Technique for Food-Borne Pathogens

Abstract Multiple-locus variable-number of tandem-repeats analysis (MLVA) has emerged as a valuable method for subtyping food-borne pathogens and has been adopted in many countries as a critical component of their laboratory-based surveillance. MLVA can be used effectively for tracing outbreaks or other forms of bacterial dissemination and differentiate strains. In this chapter, we summarize most of the available MLVA protocols for diverse food poisoning bacteria, principally Salmonella and Clostridium species, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus , and Listeria monocytogenes , and provide examples of their applications. We also evaluate MLVA advantages and limitations and, in some cases, compare MLVA results with those obtained from pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).