Whole cell protein profiling of actinobacillus-like strains classified as Taxon 2 and Taxon 3 according to Bisgaard

Thirty-nine strains representing all biovars established within the taxa 2 and 3 complex of Bisgaard and two strains belonging to the avian [P.] haemolytica/[A.] salpingitidis complex were characterized by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins. The protein patterns, which contained 40 to 45 discrete protein bands, were highly reproducible. Numerical analysis of the background protein patterns obtained resulted in six major and twelve minor groups (phena). Comparison of the phena defined by protein profiling with species/groups previously established by DNA: DNA hybridization, chemotyping and “biotyping” showed that the best correlation existed between DNA: DNA hybridization and “biotyping”. A correlation between results obtained from DNA: DNA hybridization and protein profiling was not obtained. With a few exceptions, a connection was demostrated between protein profiles and hosts from which the strains belonging to the respective phena originated.