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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Jan 1995, 11-15, Vol 33, No. 1
M Vaneechoutte, L Dijkshoorn, I Tjernberg, A Elaichouni, P de Vos, G Claeys and G Verschraegen
A total of 53 field and reference strains, including the type strains of
the seven named species (nomenspecies) and belonging to the 18 described
genomic species (DNA groups) of the genus Acinetobacter, were studied by
amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). Restriction analysis
with the enzymes AluI, CfoI, MboI, RsaI, and MspI of the enzymatically
amplified 16S rRNA genes allowed us to identify all species except the
genomic species 4 (Acinetobacter haemolyticus) and 7 (A. johnsonii), 5 (A.
junii) and 17, and 10 and 11, which clustered pairwise in three respective
groups. Further analysis with the enzyme HaeIII, HinfI, NciI, ScrFI, or
TaqI did not allow us to differentiate the species within these three
clusters. However, use of a few additional simple phenotypic tests
(hemolysis, growth at 37 degrees C, production of acid from glucose, and
gelatin hydrolysis) can be used to differentiate between the species within
these clusters. ARDRA proved to be a rapid and reliable method for the
identification of most of the Acinetobacter genomic species, including the
closely related DNA groups 1 (A. calcoaceticus), 2 (A. baumannii), 3, and
13. The results of this study suggest that ARDRA can be used for the
identification of Acinetobacter species and as such may help to elucidate
the ecology and clinical significance of the different species of this
genus. Since ARDRA uses universal 16S rRNA gene primers, it is expected to
be applicable to the identification of most bacterial species. Furthermore,
ARDRA is less prone to contamination problems than PCR for detection, since
the use of cultured organisms results in a large initial quantity of target
DNA.
Copyright © 1995 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Identification of Acinetobacter genomic species by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis
Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
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