Use of Phylogenetically Based Hybridization Probes for Studies of Ruminal Microbial Ecology

摘要

To address the long-standing need for more precise descriptions of natural microbial ecosystem, 16S ribosomal RNAs were used to track certain species and phylogenetically coherent groups of microorganisms in their natural setting without culturing. Species- and group-specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide hybridization probes were developed to enumerate various strains of Bacteroides succinogenes and Lachnospira multiparus in the bovine rumen before, during and following perturbation of that ecosystem by the addition of the ionophore antibiotic monensin. Based on probe hybridization, relative number of L. multiparus were depressed about two-fold during monensin addition and demonstrated a transient five- to ten-fold increase immediately following removal of the antibiotic from the diet. The most pronounced population changes were observed among different strains of B. succinogenes, as evaluated by three hybridization probes. (Copyright (c) 1988, American Society for Microbiology.)