Wielerella bovis gen. nov., sp. nov. a member of the family Neisseriaceae associated with bovine endocarditis

Abstract

Seven bacterial strains isolated from bovine endocarditis in six animals from different geographic regions were investigated in a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed all seven isolates on a distinct, monophyletic cluster in the family Neisseriaceae with closest similarity to type strains of Alysiella filiformis (97.06 %) and Kingella kingae (96.34 %). Whole genome sequence analysis of isolates confirmed their species status, with an average nucleotide identity >96 % between isolates and <80 % to other type species of genera of Neisseriaceae while digital DNA–DNA hybridization values were >80 % and<18 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 42.5–43.0 mol%. Whole genome sequence based phylogeny showed the isolates being monophyletic and separated from established genera, thereby forming a new genus within the family Neisseriaceae . Similarly, analysis of MALDI-TOF MS reference spectra clustered the isolates close together and clearly separated from other genera, making this the method of choice for identification. Biochemical markers based on classical as well as commercial identification schemes allowed separation from closely related Neisseriaceae genera, even though the new taxon is biochemically not very active. Major fatty acids are C12 : 0, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. The major quinone is ubiquinone Q-8. In the polar lipid profile, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phospholipid were predominant. We propose the novel genus Wielerella with the type species Wielerella bovis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is CCUG 44465T (=DSM 113289T=JF 2483T) isolated post mortem from a cow with endocarditis in Switzerland.

Phylogenomic analysis of the understudied Neisseriaceae species reveals a poly- and paraphyletic Kingella genus

“…Classification of the species in the Neisseriaceae has been difficult using traditional metrics of relatedness, both phenotypically and phylogenetically. As a result, the family has been restructured several times since its inception to include or exclude genera ( 17 , 26 , 39 , 46 , 47 ). Species in this family resist robust phylogenetic classification due to pervasive HGT and recombination, including in the 16S rRNA sequence ( 20 – 22 , 43 ).…”

“…Reanalysis with an expanded data set suggests the close relationship between Wielerella bovis and the CASK species. Only recently described, W. bovis was isolated post mortem from cattle suffering from endocarditis in two European countries ( 47 ). Little is known regarding the pathogenesis and carriage of this species among cattle or other animals, and the species has yet to be recovered from the oral-associated microbiome of cattle.…”

Phylogenomic analysis of the understudiedNeisseriaceaespecies reveals a poly- and paraphyleticKingellagenus

“…Classification of the species in the Neisseriaceae has been difficult using traditional metrics of relatedness, both phenotypically and phylogenetically. As a result, the family has been restructured several times since its inception to include or exclude genera (15,24,36,(45)(46)(47). Species in this family resist robust phylogenetic classification due to pervasive horizontal gene transfer and recombination, including in the 16S rRNA sequence (18)(19)(20)42).…”

Neisseria leonii sp. nov., isolated from the nose, lung, and liver of rabbits

“…A recent genome sequence-based study refined the delineation of the family Neisseriaceae to 12 validly named genera at the time of the emended description of the family [2]. Additionally, two new genera, Paralysiella and Wielerella, have been recently described within this family [3,4]. Most Neisseriaceae members harbour unique genomic features known as DNA uptake sequences (DUS), which are specific to phylogenetic groups within this family [5].…”