Sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer 1 regions of Trichosporon species

We determined the sequence of the intergenic spacer (IGS) 1 region, which is located between the 26S and 5S rRNA genes, in 25 species of the genus Trichosporon. IGS 1 sequences varied in length from 195 to 719 bp. Comparative sequence analysis suggested that the divergence of IGS 1 sequences has been greater than that of the internal transcribed spacer regions. We also identified five genotypes of T. asahii, which is a major causative agent of deep-seated trichosporonosis, based on the IGS 1 sequences of 43 strains. Most of the isolates that originated in Japan were of genotype 1, whereas the American isolates were of genotype 3 or 5. Our results suggest that analysis of IGS regions provides a powerful method to distinguish between phylogenetically closely related species and that a geographic substructure may exist among T. asahii clinical isolates.