Total DNA was isolated from swine feces and a swine waste storage pit and used as templates for PCR amplification of archaeal 16 rDNA using specific primers. Only the sample from the center of the waste pit produced a PCR product. DNA sequence analyses of random clones demonstrated a variety of methanogenic archaea. Six groups of sequences were identified, including those similar to Methanobrev...

Twelve vaginal samples were collected from separate patients, processed anaerobically, and added to methanogenic enrichment medium. Methanogenic activity was detected in two samples, both of which were from patients with bacterial vaginosis. None of the samples from healthy patients yielded positive methanogen cultures. One sample from a patient with bacterial vaginosis did not show any detecta...

Different hypervariable (V) regions of the archaeal 16S rRNA gene (rrs) were compared systematically to establish a preferred V region(s) for use in Archaea-specific PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The PCR products of the V3 region produced the most informative DGGE profiles and permitted identification of common methanogens from rumen samples from sheep. This study also sho...