No abstract

Partial 16s ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequences of five Aevococcus-like organisms originally isolated from patients with urinary tract infections were determined using reverse transcriptase in order to clarify their taxonomic position. Analysis of the sequence data revealed that the clinical isolates represent a hitherto unknown line of descent within the genus Aerococcus. A new species, Aerococcus urinae, is proposed for these isolates. The type strain is NCFB 2893.

A phylogenetic analysis was performed on two previously uncharacterized Gram-positive, catalase-negative bacteria from clinical sources. 16S rRNA sequencing studies revealed the isolates represent a new line of descent within the lactic acid group of bacteria. On the basis of the phylogenetic findings and phenotypic distinctiveness of the organisms, it is proposed that they be classified in a new genus Dolosigranulum, as Dolosigranulum pigrum sp. nov. The type strain of Dolosigranulum pigrum is NCFB 2975.

The partial 16s rRNA sequence of an unknown bacterium that was originally isolated from middle ear fluids of children with persistent otitis media was determined by reverse transcription. A comparison of this sequence with sequences from other gram-positive species having low guanine-plus-cytosine contents revealed that this bacterium represents a new line of descent, for which the name Alloiococcus otitis gen. nov., sp. nov,, is proposed. The type strain is strain NCFB 2890.Faden and Dryja (7) recently reported the isolation of an unknown organism from typanocentesis fluid collected from middle ears of young children who were suffering from chronic otitis media. The cells of this bacterium were large gram-positive cocci (often present as diplococci or tetrads) which phenotypically most closely resembled aerococci and streptococci (7). However, the organism differed from aerococci and streptococci in being catalase positive. Despite possessing catalase, the bacterium could not be identified by using the Staph-Ident system (Analytab Products), and its taxonomic position remained unresolved (7).16s rRNA sequence analysis has assumed a central role in ascertaining the phylogenetic relationships of bacteria (17). MATERIALS AND METHODSCultures and biochemical tests. Strains 3621, 4491, 7213, and 7760T (T = type strain) were received from D. H. Batts and R. R. Hinshaw, Upjohn Laboratories, Kalamazoo, Mich. Cultures were grown on blood agar plates and ToddHewitt broth (Oxoid Ltd., Basingstoke, United Kingdom) supplemented with 5% horse serum at 37°C. Biochemical tests were performed by using the API 20 STREP system (API-Biomerieux, Basingstoke, United Kingdom) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Test preparations were incubated at 37"C, and tests were read after 4 and 24 h and 7 days.

Phylogenetic studies were performed on some Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci from human clinical sources of uncertain taxonomic position. 16S rRNA sequence analysis demonstrated that the isolates represent a hitherto unknown line of descent within the low G+C Gram-positive bacteria for which the name Globicatella sanguis gen.nov., sp.nov. is proposed.