Q: DNA sequence typing of bacteria

[Dr Koen A.L. De Smet]

I have done some PCR followed by sequencing of the 5' end of the 16S 
rDNA gene of several spirochetes. The 280-300 bp obtained is identical 
or closely related (99%) to published sequences. Is this sufficient to 
say it is the same species, or should this be confirmed by sequecning 
more of the gene or by other, traditional assays?

All opinions welcome! 


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        Dr Koen A.L. De Smet
        Research Fellow
        Department of Medical Microbiology
        Imperial College Medical School at St Mary's
        Norfolk Place
        London W2 1PG
        Great Britain
                                     
        Tel: (+44)-(0)171-594 3946  
        Fax: (+44)-(0)171-262-6299   
        Email: k.desmet at sm.ic.ac.uk
	       http://www.sm.ic.ac.uk/medmicro/home.htm
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"If we knew what it was we were doing,
 it would not be called research, would it?".   --   A.Einstein
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