Taxonomic status of car bacillus based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA sequences.

In an attempt to identify the taxonomic relationship between CAR bacillus and other bacteria, the SSU rRNA gene sequences of two CAR bacillus strains, CBM and CBR isolated from mice and rats respectively were used in the present studies. The SSU rRNA gene sequences, approximately 1.5 kb in size amplified from genomic DNAs from both strains, were determined and 96.8% homologies were found to exist between them. Those sequences were aligned to most eubacteria with a computer search showing high homology with those of Flavobacter/Flexibacter species especially closed to Fx. sancti and Fv. ferrugineum. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that CAR bacillus belongs to a species close to Fx. sancti and Fv. ferrugineum subdivision.