Analysis of partial 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences of Chlamydia pecorumand C. psittaci

Partial 16S nucleotide sequences of Chlamydia psittaciisolates S26/3 (abortion), P94/1 (pigeon) and Chlamydia pecorumisolates W73 (enteric) and E58 (encephalomyelitis) were determined. Analysis of these data indicates very high levels of interspecies sequence conservation, with C. psittacibeing more closely related to C. pecorumthan to C. pneumoniaeor C. trachomatis. Restriction enzyme analysis of nucleotide sequences indicated that BslI can be used to clearly distinguish C. psittaciand C. pecorumisolates. Psittacine and non‐psittacine (pigeon) avian isolates of C. psittaciwere distinguished using MaeI.