Genome size and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of Vibrio cholerae strains belonging to different serovars and biotypes.

The genome size of Vibrio cholerae has been determined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis following digestion of chromosomal DNA with endonucleases. The genome size of all the classical strains examined was about 3000 kb and that of El Tor biotype was 2500 kb. The NotI and SfiI digestion patterns of the genomes of several V. cholerae strains belonging to different serovars and biotypes showed distinct restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RFLP analysis together with the genome size can be used to differentiate strains of different serovars and biotypes of V. cholerae.