Relationship of Scedosporium prolificans with Petriella confirmed by partial LSU rDNA sequences

Genetic relationships of twenty strains of Scedosporium, Petriella and Pseu dallescheria were studied by sequencing a 370 bp part of the gene which enc odes the large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rDNA). This study confirms and sp ecifies earlier results from the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA ). It was confirmed that the pathogenic Scedosporium prolificans is closely re lated to Petriella, as is Graphium tectonae. Petriella setifera, which incl udes clinically isolated Scedosporium strains, can be divided into several groups inside the same genus. The main part of Pseudallescheria is clearly distinguished from Petriella. Pseudallescheria is heterogeneous, however: Ps. africana is referred to Pet riella and Ps. fimeti is more closely related to Microascus.