The deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) from phenotypically unusual Leptospira strains were comparedto each other and to reference strains of existing genetic groups.In the “pathogenic” genetic complex,three groups emerged as genetically distinct. Representative examples of these groups were bataviae strain Van Tienen, javanica strain Veldrat Bataviae, and ranarum strain Iowa City Frog.The serologically different muenchen strain Muenchen 90C, icterohaemorrhagiae strain RGA, and kabura strain Kabura were found to be closely related to bataviae strain Van Tienen. The “saprophytic” genetic complex also contained three inter-related groups. The representative examples were patoc strain Patoc I, codice strain CDC, and Turtle strain A-183. Strain 3055 of serotype illini appeared to have unique nucleotide sequences and was placed in a third genetic complex of its own. Partial relatedness between DNA could be emphasized by increasing the salt concentrations in the incubation media. This could not be attributed to the methods of annealing but appeared to be dependent upon the genetic relatednessbetween the heterologous DNA.
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