Phylogeny of Serpulina based on sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and comparison with a scheme involving biochemical classification.

Twenty-one putative Serpulina strains, representing six proposed biochemical groups, were selected for phylogenetic studies based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The biochemical groups were distinguished by the degree of beta-haemolysis, indole production, hippurate hydrolysis and alpha-galactosidase-, and beta-glucosidase activity. The 16S rRNA sequences of the U2 to U5 region, including three evolutionarily variable regions, from representatives of each biochemical group were determined by automated solid phase DNA sequencing after in vitro amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sequences generated were 532 nucleotides in length. Sequence alignments showed that all the strains were closely related, with six informative positions in the region sequenced. A dendrogram was constructed from these data and compared with the tentative biochemical classification. The results support the proposed biochemical classification and indicate that at least five genetic variants of the genus Serpulina can be identified.