Abstract
Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene represents a highly accurate and versatile method for bacterial classification and identification, even when the species in question is notoriously difficult to identify by phenotypic means. In this study, we evaluated the utility of 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a means of identifying clinically important Bacteroides species. We sequenced 231 clinical isolates that had been identified by a short biochemical scheme. Based on the sequence analysis, 192 clinical isolates were assigned to an established species, with the other 39 clinical strains revealing five unique sequences that may represent five novel species. This is in contrast to identification obtained from a short biochemical scheme, by which only 73.5% (172 of 231) of isolates were correctly identified to species level. Based on the solid identification obtained from 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the short biochemical scheme was modified and improved to provide clinical laboratories with an inexpensive and simple alternative for the identification of isolates of clinically significant Bacteroides species.