繁茂膜海绵中可培养稀有放线菌的多样性

摘要：【目的】本文旨在尝试改进分离培养方法从大连海域繁茂膜海绵中筛选稀有放线菌,并对其多样性进行研究。【方法】根据繁茂膜海绵元素组成配制微量元素溶液,加入到放线菌分离培养基中,同时将部分培养基稀释成寡营养培养基,结合富集培养法,对繁茂膜海绵中放线菌进行分离培养。采用16S rDNA的限制性片断长度多态性(Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, RFLP)分析和序列分析,揭示其多样性。【结果】共获得可培养放线菌59株,通过形态、颜色观察,将其归为27个类群。RFLP分析表现为15种不同的图谱类型。16S rDNA序列分析表明：它们分别属于放线菌的10个属,其中布劳氏菌属（Prauseria）和糖单胞菌属（Saccharomonospora）是首次报道从海绵中分离培养。【结论】改进的分离培养基适合于繁茂膜海绵中稀有放线菌的分离培养,进一步揭示了该海绵中丰富的稀有放线菌,同样的方法有可能应用于其他海绵放线菌的分离培养。     

繁茂膜海绵细胞内微生物多样性的研究

采用海绵组织离散、细胞分离的方法,对繁茂膜海绵细胞进行纯化、胞内微生物DNA提取,构建了繁茂膜海绵细胞内微生物的16SrDNA克隆,对其遗传多样性进行了分析,发现海绵细胞内微生物16SrDNA序列主要归类于紫硫细菌门(Proteobacteria)中的α-亚门、γ-亚门和浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)等类群。与研磨直接提取海绵组织DNA所得海绵组织中总微生物多样性相比,海绵细胞内存在丰富的浮霉菌(23%),说明浮霉菌主要存在于海绵细胞胞内。     

青海盐碱环境中具抗肿瘤活性放线菌的筛选和多样性研究

从我国青海省采集盐碱土样或泥样,用添加1.0~3.0mol/L NaCl的GPY琼脂培养基和ISP2琼脂培养基分离到145株典型放线菌菌株。采用6种肿瘤细胞株对分离菌株的发酵产物进行体外筛选,得到26株抗肿瘤活性阳性菌株(17.9%),19株为拟诺卡氏属(Nocardiopsis)菌株,7株为链霉菌属(Streptomyces)菌株。在抗肿瘤活性、形态特征、生理生化特性和全细胞水解物氨基酸组分分析等实验结果的基础上,选取差异较大的8株抗肿瘤活性阳性菌株进行16S rRNA基因序列测定和系统发育多样性分析。结果表明,2株属于链霉菌属(Streptomyces)的1个已知物种和1个潜在新种;6株属于拟诺卡氏菌属(Nocardiopsis),可能代表该属的4个新种。研究表明青海盐碱环境中存在产生抗肿瘤活性物质的重要放线菌资源,也提示其中蕴藏着较丰富的微生物多样性。     

贵州兴义喀斯特洞穴可培养放线菌多样性及抗菌活性初筛

【目的】进一步了解兴义喀斯特洞穴可培养放线菌资源及产活性代谢产物的能力。【方法】选取多种分离培养基,利用稀释直接涂布平板法对贵州黔西南兴义市多个喀斯特洞穴的土壤和岩石进行可培养放线菌资源分离;利用三种发酵培养基对相关放线菌进行生物产物初筛。【结果】根据16S rRNA基因序列的比对分析,将分离得到的251株放线菌分别归类到44个属,其中链霉菌属(Streptomyces)占分离菌株的比例为24.30%,小单孢菌属(Micromonospora)占比11.95%,红球菌属(Rhodococcus)占比9.16%,微杆菌属(Microbacterium)占比7.17%,诺卡氏菌属(Nocardia)占比6.37%,该五类放线菌为该地区可培养放线菌的优势菌群。对70株细菌进行活性次级代谢产物筛选,其中35株放线菌对指示菌具有抑制活性,且主要类群为链霉菌属和小单孢菌属。【结论】贵州兴义喀斯特洞穴中存在丰富多样的放线菌类群,且蕴藏大量具有产生活性次级代谢产物能力的菌株,为医药产业提供潜力菌株资源,极具进一步发掘和研究的价值。     

内蒙古西部地区土壤放线菌的多样性分析

为明确内蒙古西部地区放线菌的多样性,为未来该地区放线菌资源的开发利用及生态系统的稳定性提供一定的理论基础。本研究从内蒙古西部地区采集土壤样品,提取土壤样品的总DNA,通过巢式PCR扩增放线菌16S rRNA基因片段,利用DGGE (denaturing gradinent gel electrophoresis)技术进行分析,切胶回收,再利用不带GC夹子的引物进行扩增,将PCR产物送往公司测序后对16S rRNA基因序列进行比对,分析内蒙古西部地区放线菌的多样性及其与土壤理化性质之间的相关性。对内蒙古西部地区放线菌多样性分析发现,内蒙古西部地区土壤放线菌的多样性较为丰富,丰富度指数处于10～28之间,其中,棕钙土的丰富度最高,栗褐土的最低;同一地区相同类型土壤中草地的放线菌数量比耕地丰富。放线菌的多样性与有效磷的含量呈显著正相关。经过16S rRNA基因序列比对共得到了7个属的放线菌,包括Saccharopolyspora (糖多孢菌属)、Thermomonospora (高温单孢菌属)、Streptomyces (链霉菌属)、Iamiaceae (酸微菌属)、Corynebacterium (棒杆菌属)、Timonella、Pseudonocardia (假诺卡氏菌属)。通过研究得出内蒙古西部地区的放线菌资源较为丰富,作为应用于抗细菌、抗真菌和抗肿瘤的新型药物中的重要微生物资源,具有进一步研究的价值,继而推动内蒙古西部地区放线菌资源的开发与利用。     

海南西海岸红树林伴生植物内生放线菌多样性及其延缓衰老活性初筛

为寻找新型抗衰老药物,该文以海南西海岸红树林伴生植物为研究对象,采用9种不同培养基从7种伴生植物21份样品中分离纯化放线菌,通过PCR扩增,16S rRNA基因序列分析已纯化放线菌的多样性,利用秀丽隐杆线虫(Caenorhabditis elegans)模型筛选菌株来进行延缓衰老活性研究。结果表明:(1)从7种伴生植物21份样品中共分离到26株海洋放线菌,隶属于9科15属,分别为拟诺卡菌属、短状杆菌属、短小杆菌属、Demequina、戈登氏菌属、类诺卡氏菌属、Lysinimicrobium、细杆菌属、假诺卡氏菌属、微球菌属、原小单孢菌属、拟无枝酸菌属、Yimella、北里孢菌属和链霉菌属,其中链霉菌属为优势菌属。(2)经秀丽隐杆线虫模型筛选,发现有2株海洋放线菌的发酵粗提物具有延缓秀丽隐杆线虫衰老的作用。综上结果说明海南西海岸红树林伴生植物中含有丰富多样的药用放线菌资源,为海洋放线菌抗衰老研究奠定了基础。     

河北九莲城淖尔可培养放线菌多样性及抗菌活性筛选

【目的】勘探干涸的九莲城淖尔土壤放线菌多样性并进行活性筛选,以期发现药用微生物资源,为新抗生素的发现奠定基础。【方法】采用15种分离培养基,以稀释涂布法分离放线菌;根据分离菌株的16S rRNA基因序列同源性分析放线菌多样性;发酵液经乙酸乙酯萃取,菌丝体经丙酮浸提,获得提取浓缩物样品;样品通过纸片扩散法进行抗菌活性初筛;抗菌阳性菌株采用PCR技术进行Ⅰ型聚酮合酶(PKS I)KS域、Ⅱ型聚酮合酶(PKS II)KS域和非核糖体多肽合成酶(NRPS)A结构域抗生素生物合成基因的检测。【结果】从11份盐湖土壤样品中分离纯化到251株放线菌,其分布于放线菌纲的10个目15个科31个属,其中优势菌属为链霉菌属和拟诺卡氏菌属;251株放线菌中包括57株耐(嗜)盐放线菌,其优势菌属为拟诺卡氏菌属(22株)和涅斯捷连科氏菌属(15株)。基于16S r RNA基因序列的系统发育分析显示,菌株J11Y309为糖霉菌科潜在新属,菌株J12GA03为分枝杆菌科潜在新种。96株放线菌活性检测结果显示,56株至少对1株检定菌具有抗菌活性,阳性率为58.3%;56株有活性的放线菌中,47株至少含有1种抗生素生物合成基因,其中17株同时具有3种抗生素生物合成基因。【结论】干涸的九莲城淖尔土壤中含有较为丰富的药用放线菌资源,具有从中发现放线菌新物种和新抗生素的潜力。     

罗布泊盐湖可培养放线菌多样性及PKS Ⅱ功能基因筛选

目的:挖掘新疆罗布泊盐湖可培养放线菌的资源和探索该环境放线菌产生Ⅱ型聚酮合成酶(PKS)基因的潜能。方法:从新疆罗布泊盐湖采集到10份样品,采用不同盐浓度的9种选择性培养基分离放线菌,并通过PCR技术扩增其16S r DNA序列、聚酮合成酶(PKS)基因分子筛选,测序后进行系统发育分析和BLAST比较研究。结果:试验结果共得42株放线菌,包括6个属,链霉菌属(Streptomyces)和拟诺卡氏菌属(Nocardiopsis)的类群最多,糖霉菌属(Glycomyces)、放线多孢菌属(Actinopolyspora)、微球菌(Micrococcus)和栖白蚁菌属(Isoptericola)的菌株相对较少。研究获得新的放线菌分类单元,其16S r DNA基因序列与已知菌株的序列相似性低于97%。42株放线菌中共有29株产生PKSⅡ基因,主要是链霉菌属和拟诺卡氏菌属。结论:研究结果表明罗布泊盐湖放线菌具有丰富的资源多样性和较强合成抗生素的潜在能力。     

广西沿海地区红树林根系土壤中放线菌的分离与鉴定

本研究通过分离纯培养,从广西北海及防城港红树林根系土壤中分离出放线菌并提取其总DNA,用放线菌通用引物对获得菌株的16S rDNA进行PCR扩增,对获得的扩增产物进行DNA序列测定及菌株鉴定.研究结果表明,从红树林根系土壤样品中分离出15株典型放线菌菌株.16S rDNA测序比对鉴定结果显示,15株典型放线菌菌株中有12株属于链霉菌属(Streptomyces),是常见菌属;3株属于拟诺卡氏菌属(Nocardiopsis),为稀有放线菌.本研究分离纯化获得15株典型放线菌,初步揭示了广西沿海地区红树林土壤中放线菌的多样性.     

腾格里沙漠东南缘藻结皮与藓结皮放线菌多样性及其潜在代谢功能

放线菌作为干旱、半干旱环境中生物土壤结皮(Biological Soil Crusts,BSCs)组成的重要生命存在形式之一,不仅是潜在临床有用天然产物化学多样性的重要来源,也是该生态系统物质循环与能量流动的重要参与者。以腾格里沙漠东南缘广泛分布的藻结皮和藓结皮为研究对象,通过宏基因组测序比较分析两种BSCs放线菌种群的分布特征、组成及其潜在代谢功能。结果表明,腾格里沙漠东南缘藻结皮与藓结皮土壤微生物组主要形成以地嗜皮菌属、红色杆菌属、类诺卡氏菌属、游动放线菌属、芽生球菌属、链霉菌属、贫养杆菌属、糖丝菌属、土壤红杆菌属、假诺卡氏菌属、小单孢子菌属、康奈斯氏杆菌属、大理石雕菌属、小月菌属以及弗兰克氏菌属等为主要类群的放线菌群落结构,在两种BSCs类型之间各属分布存在差异。藓结皮中放线菌参与的氨基糖与核苷酸糖代谢、原核生物中的碳固定途径、丁酸代谢、丙酸代谢、丙氨酸/天门冬氨酸和谷氨酸代谢、甲烷代谢、2-羰基羧酸代谢、肽聚糖生物合成、淀粉与蔗糖代谢以及缬氨酸/亮氨酸与异亮氨酸降解显著高于藻结皮。藓结皮中地嗜皮菌属和红色杆菌属对相对丰度前10的代谢功能分类的贡献度显著低于藻结皮,而类诺卡氏菌属、芽生球菌属、贫养杆菌属、游动放线菌属、链霉菌属、假诺卡氏菌属和糖丝菌属等对这些功能的相对贡献在藓结皮中具有重要作用。这些结果可为全面、深入理解腾格里沙漠东南缘藻结皮与藓结皮放线菌资源多样性及其潜在功能多样性提供科学数据,也为理解放线菌在不同类型BSCs中的生态功能提供参考。     

Identification of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans strains based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rDNA.

The 16S rDNA sequences from ten strains of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans were amplified by PCR. The products were compared by performing restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with restriction endonucleases Alu I, Hap II, Hha I, and Hae III. The RFLP patterns revealed that T. ferrooxidans could be distinguished from other iron- or sulphur-oxidizing bacteria such as T. thiooxidans NB1-3, T. caldus GO-1, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and the marine iron-oxidizing bacterium strain KU2-11. The RFLP patterns obtained with Alu I, Hap II, and Hae III were the same for nine strains of T. ferrooxidans except for strain ATCC 13661. The RFLP patterns for strains NASF-1 and ATCC 13661 with Hha I were distinct from those for other T. ferrooxidans strains. The 16S rDNA sequence of T. ferrooxidans NASF-1 possessed an additional restriction site for Hha I. These results show that iron-oxidizing bacteria isolated from natural environments were rapidly identified as T. ferrooxidans by the method combining RFLP analysis with physiological analysis.     

PCR-based identification and characterization of Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria from clinical and environmental sources

AIMS: To study the genotypic identification and characterization of the 119 Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) strains recovered from clinical and environmental sources in Japan and Thailand. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on the results of analysis by 16S rDNA RFLP generated after digestion with DdeI, the Bcc strains were differentiated into two patterns: pattern 1 (including Burkholderia vietnamiensis) and pattern 2 (including B. cepacia genomovar I, Burkholderia cenocepacia and Burkholderia stabilis). All strains belonged to pattern 2 except for one strain. In the RFLP analysis of the recA gene using HaeIII, strains were separated into eight patterns designated as A, D, E, G, H, I, J and K, of which pattern K was new. Burkholderia cepacia epidemic strain marker (BCESM) encoded by esmR [corrected] and the pyrrolnitrin biosynthetic locus encoded by prnC were present in 22 strains (18%) and 88 strains (74%) from all sources, respectively. All esmR-positive [corrected] strains belonged to B. cenocepacia, whereas most prnC-positive strains belonged to B. cepacia genomovar I. CONCLUSIONS: Strains derived from clinical sources were assigned to B. cepacia genomovar I, B. cenocepacia, B. stabilis and B. vietnamiensis. The majority of Bcc strains from environmental sources (77 of a total 95 strains) belonged to B. cepacia genomovar I, whereas the rest belonged to B. cenocepacia. On the basis of genomovar-specific PCR and prnC RFLP analysis, strains belonging to recA pattern K were identified as B. cepacia genomovar I. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work provides the genotypic identification of a collection of the Bcc strains from Japan and Thailand. RFLP analysis of the prnC gene promises to be a useful method for differentiating Burkholderia pyrrocinia from B. cepacia genomovar I strains.     

Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity of Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora Strains from Asia

A collection of 87 strains of the soft rot pathogen Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc) isolated from various host plants in Japan, Korea and Thailand was characterized by bacteriological, pathological and genetic properties. On the basis of pathogenicity on the potato, tomato, onion and cucumber, strains were divided into four groups. They were also characterized by PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), 16S‐23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions (ISRs) and a pel gene encoding pectate lyase. By analysis of 16S rDNA RFLP generated by Hinf I, Ecc strains were differentiated into two groups where it was discovered that most strains from Korea and Japan belonged to the same group. In the analysis of ISRs RFLP with MboI, two patterns were found. All Thai strains showed the same pattern. In the analysis of the pel gene RFLP with Sau3AI, all strains were separated into two independent patterns except for one strain. The strain (MAFF 301937) isolated from the mulberry showed a unique RFLP pattern of the pel gene. In cluster analysis based on 26 phenotypic characters, Ecc strains were composed of two groups, A and B. Group A contained typical Ecc strains which provided negative reactions in testing the production of reducing substances from sucrose and acids from α‐methyl glucoside. All Thai strains and most of the Korean strains belonged to group A, whereas group B contained atypical Ecc strains, which were isolated in Japan and Korea; the properties of this group were similar to those of E. carotovora ssp. atroseptica. The research reported here was undertaken to provide information on the strains of E. carotovora ssp. carotovora in Asia.     

Use of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to differentiate strains of psychrophilic and psychrotropic clostridia associated with blown pack' spoilage of vacuum-packed meats

Reference and meat strains of psychrophilic and psychrotrophic clostridia were differentiated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of genomic DNA (DNA-RFLP) and the polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rDNA gene (PCR-RFLP). Groupings obtained with PCR-RFLP were confirmed with 16S rDNA gene sequencing. DNA-RFLP resolved 19 of the 22 meat strains into 11 groups. Three meat strains were untypable using this method. All reference strains representing different genotypic species could be distinguished by the restriction patterns of 16S rDNA genes. With PCR-RFLP, the 22 meat strains produced eight distinct genotypes. 16S rDNA gene sequencing confirmed that each genotype was represented by a distinct sequence. PCR-RFLP restriction patterns of 15 meat strains matched those of one of two of the seven reference strains used. Seven meat strains whose RFLP restriction patterns of 16S rDNA genes differed from those of any reference strains probably represent four previously undescribed species. Although RFLP analysis of the amplified 16S rDNA gene allowed differentiation of psychrophilic and psychrotrophic clostridia at the genotypic species level and below, comparison of PCR-RFLP patterns and 16S rDNA sequences of unknown clostridial isolates with patterns and sequences of reference strains may not effect ready identification of these micro-organisms. The results of this study will be useful in diagnosis of the cause of premature spoilage of chilled vacuum-packed meats and in tracing spoilage-causing clostridia to their source(s) in the abattoir.     

Molecular characterization of Serratia marcescens strains by RFLP and sequencing of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer

AIMS: To establish the specific DNA patterns in 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) regions from different kinds of Serratia marcescens strains using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequences analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two pairs of primers based on the 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA IGS were applied to amplify the rrn operons of two kinds of S. marcescens strains. About 1500 bp for 16S rDNA and four fragments of different sizes for 16S-23S rDNA IGS were obtained. PCR-amplified fragments were analysed by RFLP and sequence analysis. Two distinct restriction patterns revealing three to five bands between two kinds of strains were detected with each specific enzyme. According to the sequence analysis, two kinds of strains showed approximately 97% sequence homology of 16S rDNA. However, there was much difference in the sequences of IGS between the two kinds of strains. Intercistronic tRNA of strains H3010 and A3 demonstrated an order of tRNA of 5'-16S-tRNA(Ala)-tRNA(Ile)-23S-3', but strain B17 harboured the tRNA of 5'-16S-tRNA(Glu)-tRNA(Ile)-23S-3'. CONCLUSIONS: The method was specific, sensitive and accurate, providing a new technique for differentiating different strains from the same species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This paper provided the first molecular characterization of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA IGS from S. marcescens strains.     

水霉拮抗放线菌的分离、筛选与鉴定

目的:以珍珠健康养殖水体底泥为材料分离放线菌,筛选对水产动物水霉病病原菌有抗菌活性的放线菌。方法:采用稀释涂布法,选用萘啶酮酸和放线菌酮双抗平板分离获得放线菌;以黄颡鱼和湘云鲫鱼卵水霉病原菌为靶标菌,采用琼脂块法测试所分离菌株抗水霉菌活性及其稳定性;对拮抗活性强的放线菌采用形态观察和16S r DNA序列分析进行分类鉴定。结果:从分离获得的27株放线菌中筛选出3株对水霉病原菌有拮抗活性的菌株QF1、DNC17和QHV2,其中QHV2抗菌活性与稳定性最好;形态学观察与16S r DNA序列分析结果表明QF1、DNC17和QHV2均属于链霉菌属(Streptomycete sp.),分别鉴定为Streptomyces diastatochromogenes、Streptomyces variabilis和Streptomyces collinus。结论:3株放线菌对水霉病原菌具有较好的拮抗活性,具有开发成抗水霉药物的潜在价值。     

16S rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of psychrotrophic vibrios from Japanese coastal water

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was carried out for 136 natural isolates belonging to the family Vibrionaceae. These were collected from inshore areas of Japan, mainly in winter. Twenty-eight 16S rDNA genotypes were obtained by digestion with four restriction endonucleases (HhaI, DdeI, RsaI, and Sau3AI). To estimate the genetic relationships, 53 informative fragments were scored by their presence or absence. A dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair group method with the arithmetic averages algorithm. Five RFLP groups (groups I to V) were obtained. Group I corresponded to Vibrio splendidus-like strains. It was confirmed that this group was not only found in Otsuchi Bay, but also in broad coastal areas of Japan. Group II strains were not identified as previously known Vibrio species. Group III strains were regarded as members of the Vibrio main group, which is a major phylogenetic group deduced from 16S rRNA gene analysis in the family Vibrionaceae. The RFLP profile indicated that Group IV strains were closely related to V. hollisae. Group V strains showed RFLP patterns which have not been observed previously. From the clustering analysis, it was concluded that group V strains were not Vibrio species. Most of the isolates studied were not identified as previously described species. It suggests that many psychrotrophic vibrios in cold marine environments remain as unknown species.     

Identification of enterohepatic Helicobacter species by restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rRNA gene

Background. Restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of a 1,200-bp polymerase chain reaction–amplified DNA fragment of gene coding for 16S rRNA was used to generate restriction profiles of 11 enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. isolated from various animals and humans.
Methods. The amplicon from each Helicobacter sp. was digested with four restriction endonucleases: Alu I, Hinf I, Hha I, and Dde I. Alu I digestion produced five patterns that were useful for initial differentiation.
Results. Most Helicobacter spp. isolated from rodents had the same RFLP profiles by Alu I digestion (except H. rodentium and H. cholecystus ), but they had different RFLP profiles by Hha I digestion. Only H. bilis and " H. rappini" mouse isolates could not be readily distinguished by the polymerase chain reaction-RFLP method. However, these two species can be distinguished using H. bilis specific primers. Some of the Helicobacter spp. have an intervening sequence in their 16S rRNA gene, which changes the RFLP patterns; in these cases, sequencing is the preferred method to make an appropriate diagnosis.
Conclusions. The RFLP method used in this study was straightforward and rapid and should prove useful as an adjunct for identification and classification of multiple enterohepatic Helicobacter spp.     

Comparison of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi S. L. isolated from the tick Ixodes scapularis in southeastern and northeastern United States

Thirty-five strains of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s. l.) were isolated from the blacklegged tick vector Ixodes scapularis in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Rhode Island. They were characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of rrf (5S)-rrl (23S) intergenic spacer amplicons. PCR-RFLP analysis indicated that the strains represented at least 3 genospecies (including a possible novel genospecies) and 4 different restriction patterns. Thirty strains belonged to the genospecies B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (B. burgdorferi s. s.), 4 southern strains were identified as B. bissettii, and strain SCCH-5 from South Carolina exhibited MseI and DraI restriction patterns different from those of previously reported genospecies. Complete sequences of rrf-rrl intergenic spacers from 14 southeastern and northeastern strains were determined and the phylogenetic relationships of these strains were compared. The 14 strains clustered into 3 separate lineages on the basis of sequence analysis. These results were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis.