Study of the 16S–23S ribosomal DNA internal spacer of Coxiella burnetii

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Abstract
The complete 16S–23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of 22 isolates of the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced using an a utomated laser fluorescent DNA sequencer. The ITS measured 497 base pairs (bp) and encoded isoleucine-tRNA and alanine-tRNA. The comparison of the sequence alignments of the 22 C. burnetii strains revealed very high levels of sequence similitary (< 99%) although they had different geographic origins and phenotypic characteristics. Sequencing of the 16S–23S rDNA ITS of C. burnetii could be utilized for identification of the bacterium but is not applicable to studies of epidemiology, virulence and taxonomy.