The small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence of Strongyloides stercoralis

The published small subunit rRNA (ssrRNA) gene sequences for Strongyloides ratti and Strongyloides stercoralis are remarkably divergent, particularly in the 5' 400 bases of the similar to 1700 base pair (bp) sequences. This l evel of divergence between species nominally in the same genus was unpreced ented. We have redetermined the ssrRNA sequence of S. stercoralis and find that the published sequence is a chimaera of parasite and fungal segments. The true sequence for S. stercoralis ssrRNA is very similar to that of S. r atti. (C) 2000 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.