Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

piercesdisease.cdfa.ca.gov

What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce's Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

glassy-winged sharpshooter

Phylogenetic relationships of Xylella fastidiosa strains based on 16S-23S rDNA sequences


  • Author(s): Martinati, J.; Miranda, Vicente; Pacheco, Fl?via; Tsai, S.;
  • Abstract: In spite of the lack of resolution of Xylella fastidiosa phylogenetic relationships, parsimony c wide range of hosts has been evaluated ill this research, analysis of the 16S-23S rDNA sequence from a range of hosts has been evaluated in this research. In order to establish an easier method for sequencing the spacer region completely, a new primer pair was designed. The sequences obtained revealed a higher level of variation than that found ill 16S gene C sequences, with similarity values ranging from 0.80 to 1.00. The cladogram constructed allowed the clustering of two major clades. From these results it has been possible to recognize the monophyletic grouping of some strains belonging to the same host, possibly representing only one infection process. However, for other hosts there is paraphyletic and polyphyletic grouping, This methodology followed from promising results regarding strain-host clustering. With the parsimony approach, hypothetical genealogical relationship among Xylella strains may be inferred.
  • Publication Date: Apr 2005
  • Journal: Current Microbiology