Identification of Aeromonas clinical isolates by restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes

Identification of Aeromonas species, emergent pathogens for humans, has long been controversial due to their phenotypic and genomic heterogeneities. Computer analysis of the published 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that restriction fragment length polymorphism of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene is a good and rapid way of assessing the identities of all known species of Aeromonas. The method was evaluated with the reference strains of all species (or DNA homology groups) and 76 clinical isolates of diverse origin. Most results from the two approaches were in agreement, but some discrepancies were discerned. Advantages over previous phenotypic and genetic methods are discussed.