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Title: IDENTIFICATION OF CLINICALLY IMPORTANT ASCOMYCETOUS YEASTS FROM NUCLEOTIDE DIVERGENCE IN THE 5' END OF THE LARGE SUBUNIT (26S) RIBOSOMAL DNA GENE

Author
item Kurtzman, Cletus
item Robnett, Christie

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The chemical sequence of the genetic material termed ribosomal DNA was determined for 204 yeast species, some of which are of clinical importance. The sequence for each species is unique, thus allowing rapid, accurate species identification. This work impacts several areas of agriculture as well as clinical microbiology. The database that was developed will allow rapid identification of species important to veterinary medicine. Additionally, some of the yeasts known to be human and animal pathogens, such as Pichia (Candida) guilliermondii and Debaryomyces hansenii, have also been used in the biocontrol of fruit rots. By using the database, closely related non-pathogenic yeasts can be selected for their biocontrol potential, thus leading to increased consumer safety.

Technical Abstract: Clinically important species of Candida and related taxa were compared from extent of nucleotide divergence in the 5' end of the large subunit (26S) ribosomal DNA gene. This rDNA region is sufficiently variable to allow reliable separation of all known clinically significant species. Of the 204 species examined, 22 were shown to be synonyms of earlier described taxa. Phylogenetic relationships among the species are presented.