Vibrio floridensis sp. nov., a novel species closely related to the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus isolated from a cyanobacterial bloom

Abstract

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated Vibrio floridensis IRLE0018 (=NRRL B-65642=NCTC 14661), was isolated from a cyanobacterial bloom along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), a large and highly biodiverse estuary in eastern Florida (USA). The results of phylogenetic, biochemical, and phenotypic analyses indicate that this isolate is distinct from species of the genus Vibrio with validly published names and is the closest relative to the emergent human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus . Here, we present the complete genome sequence of V. floridensis strain IRLE0018 (4 535 135 bp). On the basis of the established average nucleotide identity (ANI) values for the determination of different species (ANI <95 %), strain IRLE0018, with an ANI of approximately 92 % compared with its closest relative, V. vulnificus , represents a novel species within the genus Vibrio . To our knowledge, this represents the first time this species has been described. The results of genomic analyses of V. floridensis IRLE0018 indicate the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and several known virulence factors, however, its pathogenicity profile (e.g. survival in serum, phagocytosis avoidance) reveals limited virulence potential of this species in contrast to V. vulnificus .

Shewanella phaeophyticola sp. nov. and Vibrio algarum sp. nov., isolated from marine brown algae

“…The genus Vibrio, with Vibrio cholerae as the type species, a member of the family Vibrionaceae, order Vibrionales, phylum Pseudomonadota, is one of the most diverse groups. As of March 2024, the genus encompasses a total of 179 species, both validly and invalidly published (https://lpsn.dsmz.de/genus/vibrio), originating from various environments, including marine and estuarine waters, as well as various organisms [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Members of the genus Vibrio are generally Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-and catalase-positive, facultative aerobic, and have straight or slightly curved cells, which may be motile or non-motile rods, with the capability to reduce nitrate to nitrite [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

Oyster Reefs Are Reservoirs for Potential Pathogens in a Highly Disturbed Subtropical Estuary

“…These disturbances likely induced changes to the estuary's microbiome, including the emergence and growth of pathogenic taxa. Studies on IRL microbial communities are limited, but they have detected pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microbes (PPM) that vary spatially and temporally [19][20][21][22]. This underscores the need for further investigations of PPM in estuaries, focusing on potential hot spots formed by pollution point sources (e.g., stormwater outfalls) and microbial aggregators like suspension-feeding organisms.…”