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. 1969 May;98(2):421–428. doi: 10.1128/jb.98.2.421-428.1969

Deoxyribonucleic Acid Base Composition and Homology Studies of Leptospira

Daniel K Haapala a,1, Marvin Rogul a, L B Evans a, A D Alexander a
PMCID: PMC284832  PMID: 5784202

Abstract

Four distinct genetic groups of leptospiras were demonstrated among selected pathogenic and “biflexa” serological types. Pathogenic leptospiras could be divided into two groups on the basis of per cent guanine + cytosine (GC) in their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). One group had 36 ± 1%, the other 39 ± 1%. The biflexa strains had DNA of 39 ± 1% GC, but were further separated into two groups on the basis of DNA-annealing tests. Strains within groups had a high degree of specific duplex formation (75% binding or more with reference to the homologous DNA). There was little or no genetic relatedness between strains of the four groups (less than 10% DNA homology). The thermal elution midpoint of heterologous DNA duplexes was always lower than the homologous reaction. The serological relationships among strains were not meaningful in terms of relatedness determined by specific duplex formation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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