Eleven strains of a hitherto undescribed Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium from human sources and medical care products were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. The phenotypic properties of the bacterium were consistent with its assignment to the genus Lactobacillus but it was readily distinguished from all currently described species of this genus by its biochemical characteristics and by SDS-PAGE analysis of its cellular proteins. Comparative 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that the unknown bacterium was a member of rRNA group I Lactobacillus which includes Lactobacillus delbrueckii, the type species of the genus, and close relatives. Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus johnsonii were the nearest phylogenetic relatives of the unknown bacterium, but 165 rRNA sequence divergence values of ~4 % clearly showed that it represents a distinct species. Based on both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium should be classified in the genus Lactobacillus, as Lactobacillus hers sp. nov. The type strain of Lactobacillus hers is CCUG 28746T.

A strain of a hitherto undescribed coryneform bacterium from human clinical material was characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 165 rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated the strain represents a novel and deep lineage within the genus Corynebacterium sensu stricto. Chemical analyses revealed the unidentified strain was unusual in that it lacked mycolic acids. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic distinctiveness of the unknown isolate, it is proposed that the bacterium be classified as a new Corynebacterium species, for which the name Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCUG 3571 7T.r--

Six strains of a hitherto undescribed gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16s rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains were genealogically homogeneous and constitute a new line closely related to, but distinct from, the genus Globicutella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Globicutellu sunguis, the type species of the genus Gloobicutella, by the results of biochemical tests and an electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, we propose that the unknown bacterium be classified as Fucklamiu hominis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Fucklamiu hominis is CCUG 36813.The gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-negative cocci form a phenotypically very heterogeneous assortment of organisms. These bacteria invariably possess DNAs with low G+C contents. Many but not all of the gram-positive catalasenegative cocci that cause disease in or associated with humans can be readily assigned to the genus Streptococcus or other well-established taxa (e.g., the genus Enterococcus). The taxonomy of the gram-positive catalase-negative cocci has improved a great deal in recent years because of the use of molecular methods. In particular, 16s rRNA sequence comparisons have proved to be invaluable for clarifying the inter-and intrageneric relationships of these bacteria (4, 6, 14) and have provided an immensely powerful means for recognizing new species and genera of gram-positive cocci (1-3, 5-7). In the present study we characterized six strains of a hitherto unknown gram-positive catalase-negative coccus from human sources by using 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Based on the phylogenetic results and the phenotypic distinctiveness of the unknown bacterium, a new species, Facklamia hominis, is described.Five human isolates (CCUG 28572, CCUG 28830, CCUG 32738, CCUG 28829, and CCUG 28827) were referred to the Culture Collection of the University of Goteborg in Goteborg, Sweden, for identification. Strain CCUG 28572 originated from urine from a 7-year-old female, strains CCUG 28830, CCUG 28829, and CCUG 28827 originated from vaginas, and strain CCUG 32738 originated from blood. The sixth strain (CCUG 36813T) was recovered from an abscess on the buttocks of a patient in Toulouse Hospital in Toulouse, France. All strains were cultured on Columbia agar (Difco, Detroit, Mich.) supplemented with 5% sheep blood at 37°C. The strains were biochemically characterized by using APT Rapid ID32 strep and API ZYM systems according to the instructions of the manufacturer (API bioMkrieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole-cell proteins was performed as described previously (12). For densitometric analysis, normalization, and interpretation of protein patterns the Gelcompar GCW 3.0 software package (Applied Maths, Kortrijk, Belgium) was used. The cell wall murein type and DNA base compositi...

Six strains of a hitherto-undescribed gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains are genealogically homogeneous and constitute a new subline within the genus Gemella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Gemella haemolysans, the type species of the genus Gemella, and from Gemella morbillorum by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from clinical specimens be classified as Gemella bergeriae sp. nov. The type strain of G. bergeriae is CCUG 37817 (= strain 617-93).

Two strains of a hitherto undescribed Gram-positive catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus isolated from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16s rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated the unknown strains were genealogically identical, and constitute a new line close to, but distinct from, the genera Facklamia and Globicatella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Facklamia species and Globicatella sanguinus by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as /gnawigranum ruoffiae gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of rgnavigranum ruoffiae is CCUG 37658T.