Identity of 1:2:1 and 2:4:2 subgingival spirochetes by DNA hybridization

A group of 1:2:1 and 2:4:2 subgingival spirochetes, well characterized by transmission electron microscopy, biochemical tests, cellular fatty acid and carbohydrate analyses, and ribotyping, was recently suggested to represent new treponemal species. The present study used DNA hybridization to examine this possibility. When DNA of a representative strain (no. 16) of the 8 1:2:1 spirochetes examined was labeled by iodination, it showed, after S1 nuclease treatment, from 58 to 104% (average 76%) homology with DNA from the 1:2:1 spirochetes, 94% homology with DNA from the type strain of Treponema socranskii and of T. socranskii subsp. socranskii, i.e., ATCC 35536T, and 62% homology with DNA from T. socranskii subsp. buccale, strain ATCC 35534T. Similarly treated DNA from a representative strain (no. 3) of 8 2:4:2 spirochetes exhibited from 90 to 105% (average 97%) homology with DNA from the 2:4:2 spirochetes, and 85% and 87% homology, respectively, with DNA from Treponema denticola strains ATCC 33520 and FDC T1. There was a negligible degree of homology between the 1:2:1 and 2:4:2 spirochetes. Thus, all the 2:4:2 spirochetes belonged to T. denticola. 1:2:2 strains with DNA homology levels >70% (5 strains) belonged to T. socranskii or T. socranskii subsp. socranskii, while those with homology levels from 58 to 63% (3 strains) most likely belonged to other subspecies of T. socranskii.