Genotypic differentiation of Gardnerella vaginalis by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA)

In total 34 strains of Gardnerella vaginalis were analyzed with various molecular techniques in order to find the possibility of dividing this single species into different genotypes. Classical ribotyping, PCR-ribotyping and restriction analysis of 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer sequences were all unsuccessful in genotype differentiation of these bacteria. Only amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was suitable in recognizing different G. vaginalis genotypes. At least 3–4 genotypes were identified with different restriction enzymes, some of which showed a prevalent distribution in certain of the centers from which they were collected. Although in this study no correlation was found between bacterial vaginosis and any of the genotypes identified, the ARDRA method could prove to be a useful tool for studying the etiopathology and epidemiology of G. vaginalis.