Biochemical identification and characterization of DNA groups within the Proteus vulgaris complex

We placed 43 isolates belonging to the Proteus vulgaris complex into propos ed DNA groups (genomovars) using five previously recommended tests (tests f or esculin hydrolysis, production of acid from salicin, L-rhamnose fermenta tion, and elaboration of DNase and lipase), On the basis of the results of these five tests, 49%, of the isolates fell into DNA groups 5 and 6, 37% fe ll into DNA group 2, and the remaining 14% fell into DNA groups 3 and 4. Se quencing of the 16S rRNA genes of II members of DNA groups 5 and 6 indicate d that 10 of these isolates (91%) could be unambiguously assigned to one of these two genomospecies. Overall expression of selected enzymatic and viru lence-associated characteristics did not differ significantly among DNA gro ups.