Neisseria arctica sp. nov., isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska

Abstract

During the summers of 2013 and 2014, isolates of a novel Gram-stain-negative coccus in the genus Neisseriawere obtained from the contents of nonviable greater white-fronted goose (Anseralbifrons) eggs on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. We used a polyphasic approach to determine whether these isolates represent a novel species. 16S rRNA gene sequences, 23S rRNA gene sequences, and chaperonin 60 gene sequences suggested that these Alaskan isolates are members of a distinct species that is most closely related to Neisseria canis, Neisseria animaloris and Neisseria shayeganii. Analysis of the rplF gene additionally showed that the isolates are unique and most closely related to Neisseria weaveri. Average nucleotide identity of the whole genome sequence of the type strain was between 71.5 and 74.6 % compared to close relatives, further supporting designation as a novel species. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis showed a predominance of C 14 : 0 , C 16 : 0 and C 16 : 1 !7c fatty acids. Finally, biochemical characteristics distinguished the isolates from other species of the genus Neisseria. On the basis of these combined data, the isolates are proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Neisseria, with the name Neisseria arctica sp. nov. The type strain is KH1503 T (=ATCC TSD-57 T =DSM 103136 T ).During the summer of 2013, 21 specimens of Gram-stainnegative cocci were isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska [1]. Partial and nearly complete 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences (435-1448 nt) from these isolates were nearly identical, suggesting that they may represent a novel species. The closest relatives based on BLASTN searches (https://blast. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) were Neisseria animaloris, Neisseria shayeganii and Neisseria canis. Alignment scores for the isolates ranged from 96 to 97 % identity to these known species. Continued field and laboratory work recovered the same live organism or DNA sequence from greater white-fronted goose eggs collected during the 2014 nesting season; isolates used in this study were obtained from the original sampling location as well as two other sites in Arctic Alaska.The bacterial family Neisseriaceae consists of Gram-stainnegative, non-spore forming bacteria that occur across a wide range of habitats [2]. Most are considered commensals, but Neisseriaceae includes the important human pathogens Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis [3,4]. Other species of the genus Neisseria are sometimes isolated from both human and animal patients, often from the oral cavity or wounds resulting from animal bites [5][6][7][8]. There are several reports of Neisseria isolated from waterfowl tissues [9][10][11][12], and one report from a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) egg [13].To determine whether our isolates represent a novel species, we used a polyphasic approach that included the sequencing of four genes (16S ribosomal RNA, 23S ribosomal RNA, rplF and chaperonin 60), biochemical characterization, average nucleotide identity...

Neisseria leonissp. nov. isolated from rabbits, reclassification ofUruburuella suis, Uruburuella testudinis, Kingella potus, Bergeriella denitrificansandMorococcus cerebrosusintoNeisseriagenus and reclassification ofNeisseria shayeganiiintoEikenellagenus

“…The genus Neisseria comprises 29 validly published species along with the important human pathogens Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis according to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) [1]. Most Neisseria species have been isolated from a wide range of animals like Arctican greater white-fronted goose, Californian sea lion, and Tibetan plateau pika [2][3][4], while a few are common in oral and nasopharyngeal microbiotes in humans and can even be opportunistic pathogens [5]. Neisseria species isolated from herbivorous mammals includes Neisseria animalis from the pharyngeal mucosa of the guinea pig [6], Neisseria dentiae from the dental plaque of a dairy cow [7] and most recently Neisseria musculi from the oral cavity of the wild house mouse [8].…”

Neisseria chenwenguii sp. nov. isolated from the rectal contents of a plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae)

“…There are currently 30 species and 3 subspecies in the genus Neisseria ( http://www.Bacterio.net/Neisseria.html ), among which Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are well-known human pathogens, causing bacterial meningitis and gonorrhoea, respectively (Virji 2009 ). Other species in the genus Neisseria may be associated with human and animal infections, having been isolated from animals, such as ducks (Murphy et al 2005 ), mice (Weyand et al 2016 ), sea lions (Volokhov et al 2018 ) and clinical specimens or nonviable eggs (Hansen et al 2017 ; Wolfgang et al 2011 , 2013 ; Wroblewski et al 2017 ).…”