[The genetic classification of the Pasteurella pneumotropica complex]

Pasteurella pneumotropica with its biotypes Jawetz and Heyl are the most common bacterial pathogens associated with diseases in rodents. 23 P. pneumotropica biotype Jawetz, biotype Heyl and P. pneumotropica-like rodentia isolates have been investigated phenotypically by characterization of their micromorphology and biochemical fermentation reactions. The taxonomic position within the family Pasteurellaceae has been examined by DNA:DNA hybridisation (optical method). It could be shown that P. pneumotropica biotype Jawetz represents a genus-like cluster containing several species including the V-factor dependent Haemophilus Taxon B and the avian P. pneumotropica-like organism and therefore resembles a new species of the new genus. It is concluded that the biotype Heyl of P. pneumotropica taxonomically remains as a species within the family Pasteurellaceae, however without further relationship to other known genera or genus-like groups.