Abstract: Objectives To determine the best method of the genetic typing of Sporothrix schenckii. Methods The same samples (32 isolates of S.schenckii) were used to do mtDNA typing on RFLP pattern and DNA RAPD analysis and rDNA RFLP-Southern blotting analysisand then compared the three methods. Results 32 strains of S.schenckii were composed of 5 mtDNA types, respectively were type 1,4,6,7,20 (correspond to the work of Ishizaki et al).The DNA patterns could be divided into 7 types(typeI-VII) by RAPD analysis. 15 individual patterns (DNA type A-O) of all strains were recognized by the southern blotting,and had an obvious correlation with different geographic distribution and clinical manifestations. Conclution rDNA RFLP-Southern blotting assay for DNA typing of S.schenckii provides a highly sensitive.It is also found that there is an obvious correlation between DNA patterns and different geographic distribution and clinical manifestations by this assay.

Key words: Sporothrix schenckii, gene typing, RAPD, mtDNA-RFLP, rDNA RFLP-Southern blotting