Numerical taxonomy of motile anaerobic curved rods isolated from vaginal discharge.
Numerical analysis of phenotypic data on 38 strains of anaerobic curved rods (CR) and 7 reference strains indicated that the curved rods could be split into two types, anaerobic long (LCR) and short curved rods (SCR). In addition, a subcluster was formed within the cluster of SCR by strains that are both morphologically and biochemically intermediate between the LCR and SCR group. None of the reference strains could be grouped into the clusters of CR. DNA-base composition was 52-54 mol% GC for LCR and 56-58 mol% GC for SCR. Serologically the two groups are distinct.