Three new species of the genus Peptostreptococcus isolated from humans: Peptostreptococcus vaginalis sp. nov., Peptostreptococcus lacrimalis sp. nov., and Peptostreptococcus lactolyticus sp. nov.

We describe three new species of the genus Peptostreptococcus which were isolated from human specimens and were tentatively identified as Peptostreptococcus prevotii. These three organisms were not homologous with previously described type strains of the genus Peptostreptococcus. A total of 12 strains that were identified biochemically as P. prevotii were divided into five independent DNA similarity groups; 10 of these strains were divided into three similarity groups which exhibited significant phenotypic differences from previously described species. Therefore, we propose the following new species: Peptostreptococcus vaginalis for group 1 strains, Peptostreptococcus lacrimalis for group 2 strains, and Peptostreptococcus lactolyticus for group 3 strains. The type strain of P. vaginalis is strain GIFU 12669 (= JCM 8138), the type strain of P. lacrimalis is strain GIFU 7667 (= JCM 8139), and the type strain of P. lactolyticus is strain GIFU 8586 (= JCM 8140).     

Proposal of Sphingomonas suberifaciens (van Bruggen, Jochimsen and Brown 1990) comb. nov., sphingomonas natatoria (Sly 1985) comb. nov., Sphingomonas ursincola (Yurkov et al. 1997) comb. nov., and emendation of the genus Sphingomonas.

Based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and the presence of sphingoglycolipid in cellular lipids of the type strains, transfer of "Rhizomonas" suberifaciens, Blastomonas natatoria and Erythromonas ursincola to the genus Sphingomonas as Sphingomonas suberifaciens (van Bruggen et al 1990) comb. nov., Sphingomonas natatoria (Sly 1985) comb. nov., and Sphingomonas ursincola (Yurkov et al 1997) comb. nov. are herein proposed together with the emendation of genus Sphingomonas. The type strain of S. suberifaciens is van Bruggen Cal=ATCC 49382=NCPPB 3629=IFO 15211=JCM 8521, that of S. natatoria is ATCC 35951 =DSM 3183=NCIMB 12085=JCM10396, and that of S. ursincola is DSM 9006= KR-99.     

Peptostreptococcus hydrogenalis sp. nov. from human fecal and vaginal flora

We describe Peptostreptococcus hydrogenalis sp. nov., which is found in human feces and vaginal discharge. This new species was established on the basis of the results of DNA-DNA hybridization among anaerobic cocci. The results of different biochemical reactions also are given. The type strain of this species is strain GIFU 7662 (= JCM 7635).     

Paracoccus aminophilus sp. nov. and Paracoccus aminovorans sp. nov., which utilize N,N-dimethylformamide

Two methylamine- and N,N-dimethylformamide-utilizing Paracoccus spp. are described. These bacteria are gram-negative, nonsporeforming, nonmotile, coccoid or short rod-shaped organisms. Their DNA base composition is 62 to 68 mol% G + C. Their cellular fatty acids include large amounts of C18:1 acid. Their major hydroxy acids are 3-OH C10:0 and 3-OH C14:0 acids. The major ubiquinone is Q-10. These bacteria are distinguished from Paracoccus denitrificans and Paracoccus alcaliphilus by physiological characteristics and by DNA-DNA-homology. Paracoccus aminophilus sp. nov. and Paracoccus aminovorans sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of P. aminophilus is DM-15 (= JCM 7686), and the type strain of P. aminovorans is DM-82 (= JCM 7685). Paracoccus halodenitrificans is distinguished from other Paracoccus species on the basis of cellular fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acid composition, and DNA-DNA homology. It may not be a valid member of the genus Paracoccus.     

Bifidobacterium reuteri sp. nov., Bifidobacterium callitrichos sp. nov., Bifidobacterium saguini sp. nov., Bifidobacterium stellenboschense sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium biavatii sp. nov. isolated from faeces of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas)

Five strains of bifidobacteria were isolated from faeces of a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and a red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas). The five isolates clustered inside the phylogenetic group of the genus Bifidobacterium but did not show high sequence similarities between the isolates and to known species in the genus by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Sequence analyses of dnaJ1 and hsp60 also indicated their independent phylogenetic positions to each other in the Bifidobacterium cluster. DNA G+C contents of the species ranged from 57.3 to 66.3 mol%, which is within the values recorded for Bifidobacterium species. All isolates showed fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase activity. Based on the data provided, the five isolates represent five novel species, for which the names Bifidobacterium reuteri sp. nov. (type strain: AFB22-1(T) = JCM 17295(T) = DSM 23975(T)), Bifidobacterium callitrichos sp. nov. (type strain: AFB22-5(T) = JCM 17296(T) = DSM 23973(T)), Bifidobacterium saguini sp. nov. (type strain: AFB23-1(T) = JCM 17297(T) = DSM 23967(T)), Bifidobacterium stellenboschense sp. nov. (type strain: AFB23-3(T) = JCM 17298(T) = DSM 23968(T)) and Bifidobacterium biavatii sp. nov. (type strain: AFB23-4(T) = JCM 17299(T) = DSM 23969(T)) are proposed.     

Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. methylbutyratica subsp. nov., and assignment of Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. saponavida to Syntrophomonas saponavida sp. nov. comb. nov

A spore-forming bacterium strain 4J5(T) was isolated from rice field mud. When co-cultured with Methanobacterium formicicum DSM 1535(T), strain 4J5(T) could syntrophically degrade saturated fatty acids with 4-8 carbon atoms, including 2-methylbutyrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene similarity showed that strain 4J5(T) was most closely related to Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. wolfei DSM 2245(T) (98.9% sequence similarity); however, it differed from the latter in the substrates utilized and its genetic characteristics. Therefore, a new subspecies Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. methylbutyratica is proposed. The type strain is 4J5(T) (=CGMCC 1.5051(T)=JCM 14075(T)). Furthermore, based on 16S rRNA sequence divergence and substrate utilization, we propose the assignment of Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. saponavida DSM 4212(T) to Syntrophomonas saponavida sp. nov. comb. nov.     

Legionella impletisoli sp. nov. and Legionella yabuuchiae sp. nov., isolated from soils contaminated with industrial wastes in Japan

In this study, we tried to isolate legionellae from nine Legionella DNA-positive soil samples collected from four different sites contaminated with industrial wastes in Japan. Using culture methods with or without Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, a total of 22 isolates of legionellae were obtained from five of the nine samples. Identification of species and/or serogroups (SGs), performed by DNA-DNA hybridization and agglutination tests, revealed that the 22 isolates consisted of ten isolates of Legionella pneumophila including five SGs, five Legionella feeleii, and one each of Legionella dumoffii, Legionella longbeachae, and Legionella jamestownensis. The species of the remaining four isolates (strains OA1-1, -2, -3, and -4) could not be determined, suggesting that these isolates may belong to new species. The 16S rDNA sequences (1476-1488bp) of the isolates had similarities of less than 95.0% compared to other Legionella species. A phylogenetic tree created by analysis of the 16S rRNA (1270bp) genes demonstrated that the isolates formed distinct clusters within the genus Legionella. Quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization tests on the OA1 strains indicated that OA1-1 should be categorized as a new taxon, whereas OA1-2, -3, and -4 were also genetically independent in another taxon. Based on the evaluated phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that one of these isolates from the soils, OA1-1, be classified as a novel species, Legionella impletisoli sp. nov.; the type strain is strain OA1-1(T) (=JCM 13919(T)=DSMZ 18493(T)). The remaining three isolates belong to another novel Legionella species, Legionella yabuuchiae sp. nov.; the type strain is strain OA1-2(T) (=JCM 14148(T)=DSMZ 18492(T)). This is the first report on the isolation of legionellae from soils contaminated with industrial wastes.     

Two new species of the genus Micromonospora: Micromonospora chokoriensis sp. nov. and Micromonospora coxensis sp. nov., isolated from sandy soil

Two actinomycete strains, 2-19(6)(T) and 2-30-b(28)(T), which produced single, non-motile noduler to warty spore surfaces, were isolated from sandy soil in Chokoria, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic position of these strains. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of these strains coincided with those of the genus Micromonospora. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences indicated that these strains should be classified in the genus Micromonospora. The 16S rDNA sequence of strain 2-19(6)(T )showed closest similarity to the type strains of M. mirobrigensis (98.9%) and M. carbonacea (98.8%), and the strain 2-30-b(28)(T) to the type strains of M. purpureochromogenes (99.4%), M. halophytica (99.3%) and M. aurantiaca (99.2%). Furthermore, a combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some differential physiological and biochemical properties indicated that these strains were distinguished from the phylogenetically closest relatives. These strains therefore represent two novel species, for which the name Micromonospora chokoriensis sp. nov. and Micromonospora coxensis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are 2-19(6)(T) (=JCM 13247(T) =MTCC 8535(T)) and 2-30-b(28)(T) (=JCM 13248(T)=MTCC 8093(T)).     

Sphingomonas ginsenosidivorax sp. nov., with the ability to transform ginsenosides

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated KHI67^T was isolated from sediment of the Gapcheon River in South Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain KHI67^T was observed to grow optimally at 25–30 °C and at pH 7.0 on nutrient and R2A agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain KHI67^T was shown to belong to the family Sphingomonadaceae and was related to Sphingomonas faeni MA-olki^T (97.6 % sequence similarity), Sphingomonas aerolata NW12^T (97.5 %) and Sphingomonas aurantiaca MA101b^T (97.3 %). The G + C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 65.6 %. The major ubiquinone was found to be Q-10, the major polyamine was identified as homospermidine and the major fatty acids identified were summed feature 8 (comprising C_18:1 ω7c/ω6c; 37.0 %), C_16:0 (13.0 %), summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c; 12.8 %) and C_14:0 2OH (9.3 %). DNA and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain KHI67^T to the genus Sphingomonas. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain KHI67^T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 15 %. Strain KHI67^T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from the recognised species of the genus Sphingomonas. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingomonas ginsenosidivorax sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain KHI67^T (=KACC 14951^T = JCM 17076^T = LMG 25801^T).     

Haliangium ochraceum gen. nov., sp. nov. and Haliangium tepidum sp. nov.: novel moderately halophilic myxobacteria isolated from coastal saline environments

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on two myxobacterial strains, SMP-2 and SMP-10, isolated from coastal regions. The two strains are morphologically similar, in that both produce yellow fruiting bodies, comprising several sessile sporangioles in dense packs. They are differentiated from known terrestrial myxobacteria on the basis of salt requirements (2-3% NaCl) and the presence of anteiso-branched fatty acids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies revealed that SMP-2 and SMP-10 are genetically related, and constitute a new cluster within the myxobacteria group, together with the Polyangium vitellinum Pl vt1 strain as the closest neighbor. The sequence similarity between the two strains is 95.6%. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that these two strains be assigned to a new genus, Haliangium gen. nov., with SMP-2 designated as Haliangium ochraceum sp. nov. (= JCM 11303(T) = DSM 14365(T)), and SMP-10 as Haliangium tepidum sp. nov. (= JCM 11304(T)= DSM 14436(T)).