Rapid differentiation of the species of the genus Bacteroides sensu stricto by capillary gas chromatography of cellular carbohydrates

Abstract

Whole-cell hydrolysates of Bacteroides fragilis, the type species of the genus Bacteroides Castellani and Chalmers 1919, and the genetical closely related species B. vulgatus, B. ovatus, B. eggerthii, B. distasonis, B. uniformis, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. stercoris, B. merdae, and B. caccae were used to determine characteristic carbohydrate patterns by capillary gas chromatography. On the basis of the chemical derivatization of the carbohydrates seven characteristic peaks for peracetylated aldononitriles and nine characteristic peaks for peracetylated o-methyloximes were selected from the carbohydrate fingerprints of the reference strains to prepare a dichotomous identification key. The classification of an unknown strain supposed to belong to the formerly called 'Bacteroides fragilis group' is possible with this key. Some of the advantages of the technique were that the identification of Bacteroides fragilis-like strains requires only 4-5 h after primary isolation and that the bacteria can be exposed to oxygen because viability of the organisms is not necessary. Sophisticated anaerobic techniques can therefore be avoided for identification.

The Medically Important Bacteroides spp. in Health and Disease

“…(Engelhard and Mutters, 1991). Identification of the strains can be performed within 4-6 hours after primary isolation, and the time-consuming conventional anaerobic identification procedures can be avoided.…”

Carbohydrate patterns, cellular lipoquinones, fatty acids and phospholipids of the genus Pasteurella sensu stricto

“…In this study we have investigated the taxonomic value of cellular lipids and carbohydrates. In particular, the cellular carbohydrate profiles determined by gas chromatography are useful in characterizing species, as has been shown by Walla et al [34], Rizzo et al [32], Brondz et al [6] and in our laboratory for other bacterial groups [2,11].…”

“…Originally species have been classified as Pasteurella on the basis of phenotypic similarities. Recently, however, DNA: DNA and rRNA hybridization studies including all recognized species and several newly described provisional taxa of the family Pasteurellaceae have been Offprint requests to: E. Engelhard performed [10,11,25] and the taxonomic structure of the family could be elucidated. DNA hybridization studies also have led to a reclassification of the genus itself [29][30][31].…”

BWC Verification Measures: Technologies for the Identification of Biological Warfare Agents

“…An alternative approach involves the characterization of the cell components of the microorganism using techniques such as capillary gas chromatography (Engelhard and Mutters, 1991), fatty acid analysis (Vaisanen, Mwaisumo, and Salkinoja-Salonen, 1990), or multiparameter flow cytometry (Allman et al, 1992). Although these techniques are versatile and relatively powerful, they require expensive and complex equipment.…”