Short-Sequence-Repeat Analysis ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisandMycobacterium aviumsubsp.aviumIsolates Collected from Animals Throughout the United States Reveals Both Stability of Loci and Extensive Diversity

We analyzed the multilocus short sequence repeats (SSRs) of 211 and 56 isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and M. avium subsp. avium, respectively. The M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates could be differentiated into 61 genotypes. The M. avium subsp. avium isolates showed limited diversity. These SSRs are stable and suitable for studying the molecular epidemiology of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis.