Molecular grouping of Listeria monocytogenes based on the sequence of the inlB gene

The major part of the gene inlB was sequenced in 24 strains of Listeria mon ocytogenes belonging to serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3b and 4b, A phylogeneti c analysis based on the inlB nucleotide sequences showed that strains of se rovars 1/2a and 1/2c were closely related, as well as those of serovars 1/2 b and 3b, Strains sharing serovar 4b could be divided into two distinct gro ups. There were differences in amino-acid sequence between all serovars exc ept between serovars 1/2b and 3b, Differences in amino-acid sequence were a lso seen within each of the serovars 1/2a and 4b, The data presented indica te that the inlB gene may be useful for typing purposes as an alternative o r complement to serotyping.