Genetic relationship in the 'Bacillus cereus group' by rep-PCR fingerprinting and sequencing of a Bacillus anthracis-specific rep-PCR fragment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the genetic relationship in the Bacillus cereus group by rep-PCR fingerprinting.


RESULTS
A collection of 112 strains of the six species of the B. cereus group was analysed by rep-PCR fingerprinting using the BOX-A1R primer. A relative genetic distinctness was found among the species. Cluster analysis of the rep-PCR patterns showed clusters of B. thuringiensis strains quite separate from those of B. cereus strains. The B. anthracis strains represented an independent lineage in a B. cereus cluster. The B. mycoides, B. pseudomycoides and B. weihenstephanensis strains were clustered into three groups at some distance from the other species. Comparison of sequences of AC-390, a typical B. anthracis rep-PCR fragment, from 27 strains of B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis and B. weihenstephanensis, representative of different clusters identified by rep-PCR fingerprinting, confirmed that B. anthracis diverges from its related species.


CONCLUSIONS
The genetic relationship deduced from the rep-PCR patterns indicates a relatively clear separation of the six species, suggesting that they can indeed be considered as separate units.


CONCLUSIONS
rep-PCR fingerprinting can make a contribution in the clarification of the genetic relationships between the species of the B. cereus group.
Cherif
A
A
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Università degli Studi, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milano, Italy.
Brusetti
L
L
Borin
S
S
Rizzi
A
A
Boudabous
A
A
Khyami-Horani
H
H
Daffonchio
D
D
D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000235:genetics; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
D004269:DNA, Bacterial