Advantages of Using Mitochondrial 16S rDNA Sequences to Classify Clinical Isolates of<i>Acanthamoeba</i>

Abstract

The phylogenetic clustering of AK isolates was confirmed and thus is not specific to the nuclear gene. Rns and rns sequences are both suitable for genotyping of ACANTHAMOEBA: However, the mitochondrial sequences are shorter and more consistent in length, have a higher percentage of alignable bases for sequence comparisons, and have none of the complications caused by multiple alleles or introns, which are occasionally found in Rns. In addition, the more common occurrence of strains with identical rns sequences simplifies identification and clustering of isolates.