Differentiation betweenMycobacterium farcinogenesandMycobacterium senegalenseStrains Based on 16S-23S Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequences

Abstract

16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequence analyses were performed onMycobacterium farcinogenesandM. senegalensestrains and 26 strains of other rapidly growing mycobacteria to investigate the phylogenetic structure of bovine farcy mycobacteria within theM. fortuitumcomplex.M. farcinogenesandM. senegalensewere indistinguishable in their 5"-end 16S rDNA but showed both considerable interspecies spacer sequence divergence and a high level of intraspecies sequence stability. A rapid detection assay using PCR and hybridization with species-specific probes was developed. The assay was specific among 46 species other thanM. farcinogenesandM. senegalenseand correctly identified allM. farcinogenesandM. senegalensestrains. PCR- and 16S-23S rDNA sequence-based detection will be a valuable approach for diagnosis of the causal agents of African bovine farcy in cattle.