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Multilocus sequence phylogenetic analysis of Avibacterium
M Bisgaard1, N Nørskov-Lauritsen2, S J de Wit3
1Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 4 Stigbøjlen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Microbiology (Reading, England)
|January 14, 2012
Summary
The genus Avibacterium likely contains only two or three species, with identification challenging even using DNA sequencing. Further taxonomic revision is recommended for unresolved Avibacterium isolates.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Microbial Taxonomy
- Genetics
Background:
- The genus Avibacterium comprises several species, some of which are difficult to differentiate.
- Accurate species identification is crucial for understanding bacterial ecology and disease transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries within the genus Avibacterium.
- To assess the reliability of DNA sequencing for differentiating Avibacterium species.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of partially sequenced housekeeping genes (recN, rpoB, infB, pgi, sodA).
- Examination of 49 field isolates and six type/reference strains of Avibacterium.
Main Results:
- Confirmed the existence of Avibacterium paragallinarum.
- A species complex including Avibacterium volantium, Avibacterium avium, Avibacterium gallinarum, Avibacterium endocarditis, and Avibacterium sp. A could not be resolved.
- Identified low genetic diversity or evidence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among isolates, complicating species identification.
Conclusions:
- Species identification within the genus Avibacterium is problematic, even with DNA sequencing, except for Avibacterium paragallinarum.
- The genus Avibacterium likely contains only two or three species.
- Recommends designating unresolved isolates as Avibacterium sp. pending taxonomic revision.
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