Actinomadura soli sp. nov., isolated from the top soil layer on basaltic material in Turkey.

An actinobacterium, designated 14C53T, was isolated from a soil sample on basaltic material from Samsun, Turkey. The growth ranges for NaCl concentration and pH of strain 14C53T were quite limited and the growth temperature range of the strain was 20-37 °C, with an optimum at 28 °C. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 14C53T was most closely related to Actinomadura geliboluensis A8036T (98.5 % similarity value), but in the phylogenetic tree, it formed a clade with Actinomadura alkaliterrae D310AT. The genome tree revealed a close relationship between the strain and Actinomadura pelletieri DSM 43383T. However, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain 14C53T with Actinomadura geliboluensis A8036T and Actinomadura pelletieri DSM 43383T were 28.6-30.2 % and 84.3-85.5 %, respectively, and comparative analyses based on the genome sequences demonstrated that it represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura. The genome size of strain 14C53T was approximately 9.0 Mb and the genomic DNA G+C content of the strain was 71.3 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain 14C53T were C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Strain 14C53T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H6). Based on evidence collected from the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, a novel species Actinomadura soli sp. nov. is proposed, with 14C53T (=DSM 104447T=KCTC 39878T) as the type strain.

Streptomyces scabichelini sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain HC44T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Hacibektas, Turkey, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain had morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomic properties identical to those of members of the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that HC44T clustered with members of the genus Streptomyces and the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were obtained with Streptomyces vastus NBRC 13094T (97.6 %) and Streptomyces kalpinensis TRM 46509T (96.9 %). Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on five housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) showed that the MLSA evolutionary distance value was 0.043 between strain HC44T and S. vastus NBRC 13094T. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The DNA G+C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 11.2 Mbp, was 69.8 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence, strain HC44T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces scabichelini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HC44T (=DSM 106874T=KCTC 39872T).

Nonomuraea basaltis sp. nov., a siderophore-producing actinobacteria isolated from surface soil of basaltic parent material.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, spore-forming actinobacterial strain, designated 160415T, was isolated from a surface soil sample, which was formed on basaltic parent material, collected from Samsun, Turkey. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 160415T clustered closely with species of the genus Nonomuraea, and showed the highest sequence similarity to Nonomuraea zeae NEAU-ND5T, Nonomuraea candida HMC10T and Nonomuraea turkmeniaca DSM 43926T with 99.1%, 98.9% and 98.7%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic properties including major menaquinones, diaminopimelic acid, sugar and phospholipid profiles also confirmed the affiliation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. The DNA G+C content of strain 160415T was 69.6 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the strain and closely related type strains were less than the recommended cut-off values. On the basis of phylogenetic relationships, genotypic and phenotypic characterizations, strain 160415T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea basaltis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 160415T (= KCTC 39875T = DSM 104309T).

Genome-based classification of Micromonospora craterilacus sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from Nemrut Lake.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated NA12T, was isolated from coastal sediment sample of Nemrut Lake, a crater lake in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The taxonomic position of the strain was established using a polyphasic approach. Cultural and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain were consistent with its classification within the family Micromonosporaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain NA12T showed that the strain closely related to M. radicis AZ1-13T, M. zingiberis PLAI 1-1T, M. craniella LHW63014T and M. endophytica 202201T with pairwise sequence identity values ranging from 99.4 to 99.3%. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NA12T and the closely related type strains were ranged from 41.0 to 18.3% while the average nucleotide identity values were between 87.3 and 86.5%, which are well below the designed cut-off points of 70 and 95%, respectively. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 71.5%. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain NA12T contained 3-hydroxydiaminopimelic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. Cell-wall sugars were composed of arabinose, fucose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycophospholipid, amino-phospholipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4). Major fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and C17:1ω8c. Based upon the consensus of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses as well as whole genome comparisons, strain NA12T (DSM 100982T = KCTC 39647T) is proposed to represent the type strain of a novel species, Micromonospora craterilacus sp. nov.

Jiangella anatolica sp. nov. isolated from coastal lake soil.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated GTF31T, was isolated from a coastal soil sample of Gölcük Lake, a crater lake in southwest Anatolia, Turkey. The taxonomic position of the strain was established using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and showed that the strain is closely related to Jiangella gansuensis DSM 44835T (99.4%), Jiangella alba DSM 45237T (99.3%) and Jiangella muralis DSM 45357T (99.2%). Optimal growth was observed at 28 °C and pH 7-8. Whole cell hydrolysates were found to contain LL-DAP, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H4). The polar lipid profile was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycophospholipids and unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The G + C content of the type strain was determined to be 72.5% and the size of the draft genome is 7.0 Mb. The calculated digital DDH values between strain GTF31T and the type strains of J. gansuensis, J. alba, J. muralis and Jiangella alkaliphila ranged from 24.4 to 34.4% and ANI values ranged between 81.0 and 87.9%. Based upon the consensus of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses as well as whole genome comparisons, strain GTF31T (= DSM 100984T = CECT 9378T) is proposed to represent the type strain of a novel species, Jiangella anatolica sp. nov.

Nonomuraea insulae sp. nov., isolated from forest soil.

Strain H2R21T, a novel actinobacterium, isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Heybeliada, Istanbul, Turkey, and a polyphasic approach was used for characterisation of the strain. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characterisation of strain H2R21T indicated that it belongs to the genus Nonomuraea. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the strain is closely related to Nonomuraea purpurea 1SM4-01T (99.1%) and Nonomuraea solani CGMCC 4.7037T (98.4%). DNA-DNA relatedness values were found to be lower than 70% between the isolate and its phylogenetic neighbours N. purpurea 1SM4-01T, N. solani CGMCC 4.7037T and Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM 67092T. The whole cell hydrolysates of strain H2R21T were found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and glucose, madurose, mannose and ribose as the cell sugars. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, dihydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycophosphatidylinositol, two glycophospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C16:0, iso-C16:0 2OH and C17:0 10-methyl. On the basis of DNA-DNA relatedness data and some phenotypic characteristics, it is evident that strain H2R21T can be distinguished from the closely related species in the genus Nonomuraea. Thus, it is concluded that strain H2R21T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea insulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H2R21T (= DSM 102915T = CGMCC 4.7338T = KCTC 39769T).

Amycolatopsis cappadoca sp. nov., isolated from soil.

An Amycolatopsis strain, designated AG28T, isolated from a soil sample collected from Acigöl, Kapadokya, Turkey, was examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain is closely related to the type strains of Amycolatopsis deserti GY024T (97.1%), Amycolatopsis taiwanensis 0345 M-7T (96.9%) and Amycolatopsis pigmentata TT00-43T (96.9%). Strain AG28T was found to have chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties consistent with its classification in the genus Amycolatopsis. The strain was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The whole cell sugars identified were rhamnose, ribose, arabinose and galactose. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H4). Major fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C16:0 2OH. Consequently, on the basis of the data from this polyphasic study, it is proposed that strain AG28T represents a novel Amycolatopsis species for which the name Amycolatopsis cappadoca sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AG28T (= KCTC 39884T = DSM 104280T).

Streptomyces sediminis sp. nov. isolated from crater lake sediment.

A novel actinobacterial strain, MKSP12T, was isolated from coastal sediment of a crater lake in central Anatolia, Turkey. The taxonomic position of the strain was clarified using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MKSP12T is closely related to Streptomyces specialis GW 41-1564T with 97.1% sequence similarity. The strain produces aerial hyphae that differentiate into spiral chains of smooth surfaced spores and grows over a temperature range of 20-37 °C, at pH 7-11 and in the presence of 3% (w/v) sodium chloride. The cell wall amino acid is LL-diaminopimelic acid and the whole cell sugars are glucose and ribose. The polar lipids profile consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified glycophospholipid and eight unidentified glycolipids; iso-C16:0, iso-C16:1 G, anteiso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:1 ω9c were identified as the predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10%). Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses, the strain is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces sediminis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain MKSP12T (= DSM 100692T = KCTC 39613T).

Kribbella sindirgiensis sp. nov. isolated from soil.

A Kribbella strain FSN23T was isolated from soil sample which was collected from Caygoren Dam lakeside located in Sindirgi, Turkey. The isolate was investigated using a polyphasic approach consisting of numeric, chemotaxonomic and molecular analysis. The isolate indicated chemotaxonomic, morphological and phylogenetic properties associated with members of the genus Kribbella. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence of the strain demonstrated that the strain forms a subclade with K. aluminosa HKI 0478T and K. jejuensis HD9T. The organism formed an extensively branched substrate and aerial hyphae which generated spiral chains of spores with smooth surfaces. The cell wall contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, and the whole cell sugars were glucose and ribose along with trace amounts of mannose. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified lipids and five unidentified polar lipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. Polyphasic taxonomy properties confirm that strain FSN23T represents a novel Kribbella taxon distinguished from closely related type strains. Hence, strain FSN23T (=KCTC 29220T = DSM 27082T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species with the name Kribbella sindirgiensis sp. nov.

Actinomadura alkaliterrae sp. nov., isolated from an alkaline soil.

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic status of an Actinomadura strain isolated from the margin of a saline, alkaline lake in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Strain D310ATT was shown to have chemotaxonomic, cultural and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Actinomadura such as hooked or irregular spiral spore chains, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the major cell wall diaminopimelic acid, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as major polar lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain D310ATT is closely, albeit loosely, associated with Actinomadura darangshiensis DLS-70T with 97.2% sequence similarity, but was readily separated from the latter using diverse phenotypic properties. Consequently, the isolate is considered to represent a new species of Actinomadura for which the name Actinomadura alkaliterrae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain D310ATT (=DSM 101185T = KCTC 39657T).

Kribbella soli sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated FMN22T, was isolated from soil and characterised using a polyphasic approach. Strain FMN22T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Kribbella karoonensis Q41T (99.3%), Kribbella shirazensis UTMC 693T (99.0%), Kribbella aluminosa HKI 0478T (98.9%) and Kribbella hippodromi S1.4T (98.6%). Phylogenetic analysis using the 16S rRNA and concatenated gene (gyrB, rpoB, relA, recA and atpD) sequences showed that strain FMN22T is closely related to the type strains of K. karoonensis DSM 17344T, K. shirazensis UTMC 693T, K. aluminosa HKI 0478T, K. hippodromi S1.4T, Kribbella jejuensis HD9T and Kribbella solani DSA1T. Based on concatenated gene genetic distances analysis, strain FMN22T is distinct from all Kribbella type strains. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments with closely related type strains, were found to be 59.2 ± 2.4, 54.8 ± 2.1, 16.4 ± 2.3 and 38.6 ± 2.5%, relatedness to K. karoonensis DSM 17344T, K. shirazensis DSM 45490T, K. aluminosa DSM 18824T and K. jejuensis DSM 17305T, respectively. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, and whole cell sugars were glucose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major phospholipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. Major fatty acids are anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. These chemotaxonomic traits are in good agreement with those known for representatives of the genus Kribbella. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and phenotypic properties demonstrated that strain FMN22T can be clearly distinguished from all close phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, strain FMN22T (=DSM 27132T = KCTC 29219T) is considered to be the type strain of a novel species of the genus Kribbella, for which the name Kribbella soli is proposed.

Nocardia zapadnayensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel Gram-stain positive, rod-shaped, non-motile and mycolic acid containing strain, FMN18(T), isolated from soil, was characterised using a polyphasic approach. The organism showed a combination of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic properties that were consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardia and it formed a phyletic line in the Nocardia 16S rRNA gene tree. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (type IV) and whole cell sugars were galactose, glucose, arabinose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4ω-cyclo). The major phospholipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. Major fatty acids are C16:0, 10-methyl C18:0 (TBSA), C18:1 cis9 and C16:1 trans9. These chemotaxonomic traits are in good agreement with those known for representatives of the genus Nocardia. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain FMN18(T) showed it to be closely related to Nocardia grenadensis GW5-5797(T) (99.2 %), Nocardia speluncae N2-11(T) (99.1 %), Nocardia jinanensis 04-5195(T) (99.0 %) and Nocardia rhamnosiphila 202GMO(T) (98.3 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequence of strain FMN18(T) showed it to be closely related to N. rhamnosiphila 202GMO(T) (99.0 %), N. grenadensis DSM 45869(T) (96.6 %), N. jinanensis DSM 45048(T) (93.1 %), N. carnea IFM 0237(T) (89.7 %) and N. speluncae DSM 45078(T) (89.1 %). A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and phenotypic properties demonstrated that strain FMN18(T) was clearly distinguished from all closely related Nocardia species. It is proposed that the organism be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia zapadnayensis (type strain FMN18(T) = DSM 45872(T) = KCTC 29234(T)) is proposed.

Streptomyces burgazadensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated Z1R7(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Burgazada, in the Marmara Sea (Turkey), and the strain identity was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism had chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Streptomyces and it formed a distinct phyletic line in the 16S rRNA gene tree, together with the type strains Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564(T) (95.76 %), Streptomyces mayteni YIM 60475(T) (95.64 %), Streptomyces hainanensis YIM 47672(T) (95.53 %), Streptomyces hoynatensis S1412(T) (95.29 %), Streptomyces avicenniae MCCC 1A01535(T) (94.74 %), Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188(T) (94.59 %) and Streptomyces zhaozhouensis NEAU-LZS-5(T) (94.68 %). Chomotaxonomic data revealed that strain Z1R7(T) possesed MK-9 (H8) as the predominant menaquinone, ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and galactose, glucose and ribose as whole cell sugars. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phoshphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol were the predominant polar lipids; iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 were the major fatty acids, and the genomic DNA G+C content was 69.4 mol%. On the basis of these genotypic and phenotypic data, it is proposed that isolate Z1R7(T) ( = KCTC 29434(T) = DSM 42126(T)) should be classified in the genus Streptomyces as Streptomyces burgazadensis sp. nov.

Nonomuraea muscovyensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel actinomycete, strain FMN03(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Yuga Zapadnaya South-West Forest Park, Moscow, Russia. The isolate had chemical and morphological properties typical of members of the genus Nonomuraea and formed a distinct 16S rRNA gene subclade with the type strains Nonomuraea roseoviolacea subsp. carminata NBRC 15903(T) and Nonomuraea roseoviolacea subsp. roseoviolacea NBRC 14098(T). The organism formed extensively branched substrate and aerial hyphae, which generated spiral chains of spores with smooth surfaces. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole cell sugars were glucose, galactose and trace amounts of madurose, mannose and xylose. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified phospholipids, four unidentified glycolipids and one unidentified lipid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 2-OH, C17 : 0 10-methyl, C17 : 1 cis9 and iso-C16 : 0. Analyses of its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, together with DNA-DNA relatedness data, confirmed that strain FMN03(T) is a representative of a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, which is distinct from closely related reference strains. Strain FMN03(T) ( = DSM 45913(T) = KCTC 29233(T)) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Nonomuraea muscovyensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Streptomyces samsunensis sp. nov., a member of the Streptomyces violaceusniger clade isolated from the rhizosphere of Robinia pseudoacacia.

The taxonomic position of a Streptomyces isolate, strain M1463(T), recovered from the rhizosphere of Robinia pseudoacacia was established in a polyphasic study. The organism had chemical and morphological markers that were consistent with its classification in the Streptomyces violaceusniger clade. This assignment was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequence data, which also showed that the strain formed a distinct subclade together with Streptomyces malaysiensis DSM 41697(T). However, the two strains were readily distinguished on the basis of DNA relatedness and phenotypic data. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain M1463(T) should be recognized as a representative of a novel species in the Streptomyces violaceusniger clade, for which the name Streptomyces samsunensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. samsunensis is M1463(T) ( = DSM 42010(T) = NRRL B-24803(T)).

Antimicrobial activity screening of some sulfonamide derivatives on some Nocardia species and isolates.

Nocardia are aerobic, catalase-positive, Gram-positive microorganisms and typically acid-alcohol fast at some stage of the growth cycle. The genus Nocardia, a member of Mycolata group, is clinically important because it is an opportunistic pathogen. The sulfonamide derivative medicines are prefered to cure infection caused by Nocardia, such as nocardiaosis and mycetoma. Antimicrobial activities of seven sulfonamide derivatives have been investigated against some Nocardia species and isolates using the disk diffusion method on Sensitest agar medium (Oxoid). Thirty-six organisms, which consisted of 10 soil isolates selected from different clusters of Aymen study (2003), six clinical isolates provided by Ege University, Medical School, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Department, four reference strains, 15 type strains and a control strain of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 were tested. The strongest inhibition was observed in the cases of IV [N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitro-phenyl)-4-methyl-benzensulfonamid], V [N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-4-methyl-benzensulfonamid] and III [N-(2-Hydroxy-phenyl)-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide] against Nocardia. Introducing a hydroxyl group into the ortho position on the ring increased the antimicrobial activity. Substitution of the electron withdrawing groups such as a nitro group increased the antimicrobial activity remarkably.

Differentiation of nocardia species by PCR-randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting.

Representatives of fifteen validly described and three non-validly described species of Nocardia were assigned to nineteen groups based on an optimised PCR-randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting technique. Species specific banding patterns were recognised for the representatives of N. brasiliensis, N. crassostreae, N. farcinica, N. otitidiscaviarum and N. seriola. Unique banding patterns were also seen for the type strains of N. brevicatena, N. carnea, N. salmonicida, N. uniformis and N. vaccinii, and for the single representatives of "N. fusca", "N. pseudosporangifera", and "N. violaceofusca". More than one banding pattern was detected for the N. asteroides, N. flavorosea, N. nova, N. pseudobrasiliensis and N. transvalensis strains though in the case of the representative strains of N. nova and N. transvalensis the patterns were similar for each of these species. The results are in line with current trends in nocardial systematics thereby indicating that PCR-randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting provides valuable data for the classification and identification of pathogenic nocardiae to the species level.