Virulent Erwinia amylovora strains, isolated at different times in different areas of Italy and Spain, were assayed by PFGE analysis of genomic DNA after an Xba I digestion. Strains from Central Europe and the Balkans were also included, and were compared to strains from France and England. The strains from Hungary and the majority of those from the Balkans shared a pattern (Pt2), typical for the Eastern Mediterranean area. Divergent patterns were observed for a strain from Bulgaria and two strains from Israel. Another pattern (Pt1) was shown by strains from Central Europe, Eastern France and England. Strains from Italy showed multiple patterns and were divided into three groups: Pt1 (Southwestern Italy), Pt2 (Southern Italy) and Pt3 (Northeastern Italy). Grouping of strains from Northeastern Italy (Po Valley) to strains from Northern France (Pt3) was confirmed by PFGE analysis after SpeI digestion. Divergent patterns were observed for strains from Central and Northeastern Spain, isolated in the areas of Segovia and Navarra/Guipuzcoa with the Pt3 and Pt4 patterns, respectively. The latter pattern type was found for some strains from England and Western France. The results of PFGE analysis of E. amylovora strains from Europe showed a relative high homogeneity for large regions of their isolation and could possibly give clues about the origin and spread of the pathogen in different fruit-growing areas of Italy and Spain. However, the risk of speculative assumptions exists, and further detailed work with an increasing number of strains is necessary.