PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIP OF FUSOBACTERIUM-NECROPHORUM A-BIOTYPE, AB-BIOTYPE, AND B-BIOTYPE BASED UPON 16S RIBOSOMAL-RNA GENE SEQUENCE-ANALYSIS

The 16S rRNA genes from virulent (AB) and benign (B) biotype strains of Fasobacterium necrophorum, the causative agent of ovine foot abscess, were cloned and sequenced. Notwithstanding the distinct phenotypic differences between the AB and B biotypes, a phytogenetic analysis in which the 168 rRNA gene sequences were used revealed the close relationship of these taxa. Comparison df the virulent and benign biotypes of F. necrophorum may therefore be a legitimate way to identify key virulence factors useful in vaccine development.