Revised Group Classification of the Genus Spiroplasma (Class Mollicutes), with Proposed New Groups XII to XXIII

Tully, Joseph G.; Rose, David L.; Clark, Edward A.; Carle, Patricia; Bové, Joseph M.; Henegar, Roberta B.; Whitcomb, Robert F.; Colflesh, David E.; Williamson, David L.

doi:10.1099/00207713-37-4-357

Cited by 58 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…An extensive serologic comparison of the strains isolated from I. pacificus showed that these organisms are closely related to each other but distinct from other previously described spiroplasmas. Strain Y32T (T = type strain) was selected as a representative of the group and was eventually designated a group VI strain in the interim classification system mentioned above (21,36,48). Some general properties of group VI spiroplasmas have been described previously in other reports (28,32,36,49).…”

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confidence: 99%

Spiroplasma ixodetis sp. nov., a New Species from Ixodes pacificus Ticks Collected in Oregon

Tully

Rose

Yunker

et al. 1995

International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology

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Eight strains of mollicutes were isolated from pooled suspensions prepared from western black-legged ticks (Ixodes puciJicus) collected in Oregon. Morphologic examination by electron and dark-field microscopic techniques showed that each strain consisted of a mixture of motile, tightly coiled helical cells, small coccoid cells with diameters ranging from 300 to 500 nm, and pleomorphic, straight or branched filamentous forms. All cellular forms were surrounded by a single cytoplasmic membrane, and there was no evidence of a cell wall. The organisms were filterable and fastidious in their growth requirements. The optimum temperature for growth was 30°C, but multiplication occurred at temperatures ranging from 23 to 32°C. The strains catabolized glucose but did not hydrolyze arginine or urea. The genome size of strain Y32T (T = type strain) was 2,220 kbp, and the DNA base composition (guanine-plus-cytosine content) of this organism was 25 k 1 mol%. The eight isolates were serologically related to each other but were not related to 37 other type or representative strains belonging to the genus Spiroplasmu. Strain Y32 (= ATCC 33835) is the type strain of Spiroplasma ixodetis sp. nov.Spiroplasmas (class Mollicutes) are helical, motile, wall-less prokaryotes that are associated with a variety of insects, other arthropods, and some plant hosts (11,38,51). Although members of the genus Spiroplasma are usually commensal organisms in their arthropod hosts, several are pathogenic for insects and plants (11, 12,24,29,30).The occurrence of spiroplasmas in hematophagous arthropods was first demonstrated in 1976 when two serologically distinct helical mollicutes (represented by strains SMCA and 277F) were identified in rabbit ticks (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris) (4,41). Strain SMCA and two related strains were eventually characterized as Spiroplasma mirum (39). Strain 277F is serologically and genomically related to Spiroplasma citri and was assigned to subgroup 1-4 in an interim classification scheme for spiroplasmas (21,36,44). Subsequently, spiroplasmas have been identified in blood-sucking members of the Diptera, including horseflies (Tabanus spp.), deerflies (Chrysops spp.), and mosquitoes (Adedes spp., Culex spp., etc.). The current status of these organisms has been summarized in several recent reviews or reports (1, 10, 15, 18, 19,38,45).We described additional isolations of tick-associated spiroplasmas in 1981 (37), including primary isolation of seven helical mollicutes from triturates of the western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus. While these organisms were isolated directly in SP-4 spiroplasma culture medium (43), a later report showed that most of the same isolates could be cultivated from stored triturates in several continuously maintained cultured tick cell lines (53). An extensive serologic comparison of the strains isolated from I. pacificus showed that these organisms are closely related to each other but distinct from other previously described spiroplasmas. Strain Y32T (T = type strain) was selected ...

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Spiroplasma ixodetis sp. nov., a New Species from Ixodes pacificus Ticks Collected in Oregon

Tully

Rose

Yunker

et al. 1995

International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology

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“…The requirement of strain CC-lT for sterol, its inability to utilize urea, and its helical shape and motility place this strain in the family Spiroplusmataceae (29). Finally, serological comparison of strain CC-lT with representatives of other Spiroplasma species and groups (19,33) confirms its status as a distinct species.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Metabolism inhibition and spiroplasma deformation tests have demonstrated (19,33) that strain CC-lT is serologically unrelated to representatives of established Spiroplusmu groups or species.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Representative strains of the 24 recognized groups (19,33) and eight subgroups, including type strains of recognized species (33,36), were cultivated for comparative studies.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Strain CC-lT, derived from one of five isolates, was chosen as a representative of the cluster, which was designated group XVI (33) and, more recently, subgroup XVI-1 (1,4). This group, however, eventually turned out to be complex and to contain organisms not only from beetles but from mosquitoes and flowers also.…”

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Spiroplasma cantharicola sp. nov., from Cantharid Beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

Whitcomb

Chastel²,

Abalain-Colloc³

et al. 1993

International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology

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Spiroplasma strain CC-lT, isolated from the gut of the soldier beetle Cantharis carulinus, was serologically distinct from other spiroplasma species, groups, and subgroups. Cells of strain CC-lT were shown by light microscopy to be helical, motile filaments. Electron microscopy showed that the cells were bounded by a single cytoplasmic membrane, with no evidence of a cell wall. The organism was insensitive to penicillin. Strain CC-lT grew well in SM-1, MlD, and SP-4 liquid media under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The strain also grew in 1% serum fraction medium. Optimal growth occurred at 32"C, with a doubling time of 2.6 h, but the strain multiplied at temperatures of 10 to 37°C. Strain CC-lT produced acid from glucose but hydrolyzed neither arginine nor urea. The guanine-plus-cytosine (G+C) content of the DNA was 26 f 1 mol%. Other uncloned isolates from C. carolinus exhibited similar or identical serological patterns. On the basis of the data presented here, strain CC-lT (= ATCC 43207), previously proposed as the representative strain of subgroup XVI-1, is designated the type strain of a new species, Spiroplasma cantharicolu.In 1982, adults of the soldier beetle, Cantharis carolinus (Coleoptera: Cantharidae), were found to harbor spiroplasmas in the gut but not in the hemolymph. Strain CC-lT, derived from one of five isolates, was chosen as a representative of the cluster, which was designated group XVI (33) and, more recently, subgroup XVI-1 (1, 4). This group, however, eventually turned out to be complex and to contain organisms not only from beetles but from mosquitoes and flowers also. Abalain-Colloc and colleagues (1,4) characterized group XVI spiroplasmas by serology, DNA-DNA homology, and polyacxylamide gel electrophoresis, and proposed recognition of three subgroups. In this classification, the cluster of spiroplasma strains and isolates from C. carolinus was designated subgroup XVI-1. Chaste1 and his colleagues, in 1985, discovered (11) a large assemblage of serologically diverse spiroplasma strains in mosquitoes in France that partially cross-reacted with strain CC-lT. These spiroplasmas were later designated subgroup XVI-3 (1,4). In 1983, an apparently unrelated strain (CB-1) had been isolated from the gut of a Cantharis bilineatzm adult. Although minor reciprocal cross-reactivities between the two strains were observed when the strains were compared by metabolism inhibition, deformation, and growth inhibition serology, the two strains were at first regarded (unpublished data) as representatives of separate spiroplasma groups. However, studies of Shaikh et al. (28) on spiroplasma carriage by mosquitoes in Alabama revealed a strain, AEF-2, that showed substantial cross-reactivity between strains CC-lT and CB-1, indicating that strains CC-lT and CB-1 belonged to a single spiroplasma group. Strain CB-1 was subsequently assigned to subgroup XVI-2 (1,4). In this paper, we describe taxonomic studies on strain CC-lT (subgroup XVI-1 of * Corresponding author.

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Spiroplasma

Gasparich¹,

Kuo²,

Foissac³

2020

Bergey's Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria

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Spi.ro.plas'ma. Gr. fem. n. speira (L. transliteration spira ) a coil, spiral; Gr. neut. n. plasma something formed or molded, a form; N.L. neut. n. Spiroplasma spiral form. Tenericutes / Mollicutes / Entomoplasmatales / Spiroplasmataceae / Spiroplasma Cells are pleomorphic, varying in size and shape from helical and branched nonhelical filaments to spherical or ovoid. The helical forms, usually 100–200 nm in diameter and 3–5 μm in length, generally occur during the exponential phase of growth and in some species persist during stationary phase. The cells of some species are short (1–2 μm). In certain cases, helical cells may be very tightly coiled, or the coils may show continuous variation in amplitude. Spherical cells ∼300 nm in diameter and nonhelical filaments are frequently seen in the stationary phase, where they may not be viable, and in all growth phases in suboptimal growth media, where they may or may not be viable. In some species during certain phases, spherical forms may be the replicating form. Helical filaments are motile, with flexional and twitching movements, and often show an apparent rotatory motility. Fibrils are associated with the membrane, but flagella, periplasmic fibrils, or other organelles of locomotion are absent . Fimbriae‐like and pili‐like structures observed on the cell surface of insect‐ and plant‐pathogenic spiroplasmas are believed to be involved in host‐cell attachment and conjugation (Ammar et al., 2004; Özbek et al., 2003), but not in locomotion. Cells divide by binary fission, with doubling times of 0.7–37 h. Facultatively anaerobic. The temperature growth range varies among species, from 5 to 41°C. Colonies on solid media are frequently diffuse , with irregular shapes and borders, a condition that reflects the motility of the cells during active growth. Colony type is strongly dependent on the agar concentration. Colony sizes vary from 0.1 to 4.0 mm in diameter. Colonies formed by nonmotile variants or mutants, or by cultures growing on inadequate media are typically umbonate with diameters of 200 μm or less. Some species, such as Spiroplasma platyhelix , have barely visible helicity along most of their length and display little rotatory or flexing motility. Colonies of motile, fast‐growing spiroplasmas are diffuse, often with satellite colonies developing from foci adjacent to the initial site of colony development. Light turbidity may be produced in liquid cultures. Chemo‐organotrophic. Acid is produced from glucose. Hydrolysis of arginine is variable. Urea, arbutin, and esculin are not hydrolyzed. Sterol requirements are variable. An optimum osmolality, usually in the range of 300–800 mOsm, has been demonstrated for some spiroplasmas. Media containing mycoplasma broth base, serum, and other supplements are required for primary growth, but after adaptation, growth often occurs in less complex media. Defined or semi‐defined media are available for some species. Resistant to 10,000 U/ml penicillin. Insensitive to rifampicin, sensitive to erythromycin and tetracycline. Isolated from the surfaces of flowers and other plant parts, from the guts and hemolymph of various insects and crustaceans, and from tick triturates. Also isolated from vascular plant fluids ( phloem sap ) and insects that feed on the fluids . Specific host associations are common. The type species, Spiroplasma citri , is pathogenic for citrus (e.g., orange and grapefruit), producing “stubborn” disease. Experimental or natural infections also occur in horseradish, periwinkle, radish, broad bean, carrot, and other plant species. Spiroplasma kunkelii is a maize pathogen. Some species are pathogenic for insects. Certain species are pathogenic, under experimental conditions, for a variety of suckling rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, and rabbits) and/or chicken embryos. Genome sizes vary from 780 to 2,220 kb (PFGE). DNA G + C content ( mol %): 24–31 ( T m , Bd). Type species : Spiroplasma citri Saglio et al. 1973 AL .

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Revised Group Classification of the Genus Spiroplasma (Class Mollicutes), with Proposed New Groups XII to XXIII

Cited by 58 publications

References 18 publications

Spiroplasma ixodetis sp. nov., a New Species from Ixodes pacificus Ticks Collected in Oregon

Spiroplasma ixodetis sp. nov., a New Species from Ixodes pacificus Ticks Collected in Oregon

Spiroplasma cantharicola sp. nov., from Cantharid Beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

Spiroplasma

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