POLYPHASIC APPROACH TO THE CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF GARDNERELLA-VAGINALIS AND UNIDENTIFIED GARDNERELLA VAGINALIS-LIKE CORYNEFORMS PRESENT IN BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

A taxonomic study of Gardnerella vaginalis and G. vaginalis-like coryn eforms was performed in order to clarify the phylogenetic affiliation of these organisms and to improve future identification. We examined 5 0 strains by performing whole-cell protein and fatty acid analyses, a 16S rRNA sequence analysis, and an extensive phenotypic characterizati on analysis. The results of both chemotaxonomic techniques which we us ed divided the organisms into two main clusters, and the 16S rRNA sequ ence analysis revealed that the clusters represent different genera, w hich were easily distinguished by the results of classical phenotypic tests. The cluster I strains were identified as G. vaginalis, which wa s shown to be a close relative of the genus Bifidobacterium. An improv ed description of G. vaginalis is presented. The cluster II strains be long to or are closely related to Actinomyces turicensis.