Proposed new bacterial taxa and proposed changes of bacterial names published during 1994 and considered to be of interest to medical or veterinary bacteriology.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
J Ursing
Publications and source records attributed to J Ursing.
Proposed new bacterial taxa and proposed changes of bacterial names published during 1994 and considered to be of interest to medical and veterinary bacteriology.
At the recent meeting of the International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology (ICSB) in 1994 it was decided to establish an ad hoc committee within the ICSB with the task of formulating an approach to communication of new names to users in medical and veterinary bacteriology. This is the first list which includes 61 names.
Bacteria↗
Yersinia frederiksenii, a genotypically heterogeneous species with few differential characteristics.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
[Listeriosis. An international epidemic phagovar of Listeria monocytogenes isolated also in Sweden].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Denmark↗
Genotypic and phenotypic relatedness of 80 strains of Branhamella catarrhalis of worldwide origin.
80 clinical Branhamella catarrhalis strains of worldwide origin were examined for genotypic relatedness and phenotypic characteristics. Using a quantitative bacterial dot method for DNA-DNA hybridization the strains were found to form a homogeneous group with delta Tm-values ranging from 0.0-2.3 degrees C, In Minibact-N, an identification kit for oxidase positive, Gram-negative diplococci using eight phenotypic characteristics, all isolates were correctly identified and also demonstrated complete homogeneity except for beta-lactamase production. Type strains representing the genera Branhamella, Moraxella and Neisseria were also examined for comparison. B. catarrhalis strain NCTC 4103-known to be atypical-had a delta Tm-value of 5.7 degrees C and produced gamma-glutamylaminopeptidase, in contrast to all other B. catarrhalis strains. In GN MicroPlate, a kit which tests utilizable carbon sources, B. catarrhalis strains were found to be able to utilize up to 16 to 95 carbon sources.
Carbon↗
Lautropia mirabilis gen. nov., sp. nov., a gram-negative motile coccus with unusual morphology isolated from the human mouth.
An organism that seems to be identical to Orskov's 'Sarcina mirabilis' [Orskov, J. (1930) Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand Suppl III, 519-541] has been rediscovered in specimens from the upper respiratory tract of humans. Six strains were studied, and the results, which conformed to Orskov's description of S. mirabilis, were as follows. Rough to smooth colonies grow on many plated media and show extremely polymorphic cell morphology with round cells with diameters from 1 to > 10 microns. The smallest cells were often motile with circular movements. Strains were Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase and urease positive, and weakly catalase positive. Nitrate and nitrite were reduced, and glucose, fructose, sucrose and mannitol were fermented. Polysaccharide was produced on sucrose agar. Electron microscopy showed coccoid cells with a bundle of three to nine flagella, a Gram-negative cell-wall morphology, and aggregates of irregular cells held together by a common surface layer. The mean mol% (G+C) of the organisms was 65.0. 16S-ribosomal RNA sequencing revealed that the organism belongs to the beta subgroup of Proteobacteria, separate from all other described genera, but most closely related to Burkholderia. The name Lautropia mirabilis is proposed for this organism.
Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
Characterization of Listeria strains isolated from soft cheese.
Three soft cheeses were exposed to quantitative analysis for listeria and found to contain a large number of listeria. Thirty-five of the listeria strains isolated from the three cheeses were characterized by use of biochemical tests, serotyping, phagetyping and DNA restriction enzyme analysis. Seven isolates were identified as Listeria innocua and 28 as Listeria monocytogenes. Two to four different clones of L. monocytogenes could be identified from each cheese. In contrast, only one clone could be detected among the L. innocua isolates. From an epidemiological point of view the findings of different clones of L. monocytogenes in the same cheese emphasize the need for typing several listeria isolates from one and the same food sample. It is concluded that the best overview of the population of the listeria strains is obtained after direct plating of the sample followed by enumeration, isolation and extensive typing.
Bacteriophage Typing↗
Numerical classification and identification of Acinetobacter genomic species.
A total of 211 Acinetobacter strains (representing all currently recognized genomic species) were tested for 329 biochemical characters. Overall similarities of all strains were determined for 145 characters by numerical taxonomic techniques, the UPGMA algorithm and the S(SM)) and the S(J) coefficients as measures of similarity. Seven clusters (two or more strains) and three unclustered strains were recovered at a similarity level of 80.0% (S(SM). At this level a complete correspondence between phenotypic cluster and genomic species was found only for genomic species 12 (Ac. radioresistens). At higher similarity levels (84.0% to 84.6% (S(SM)), however, several subclusters were found, each representing a single genomic species. An exception were the strains belonging to the genetically closely related species of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex. These were recovered scattered in several subclusters. The degree of genomic relatedness between some DNA groups correlated with phenotypic similarities, especially for DNA group 8 (Ac. Iwoffii) and 15 of Tjernberg and Ursing, and for DNA group 4 (Ac. haemolyticus) and 6. For the majority of genomic species, two identification matrices were constructed consisting of 22 and 10 diagnostic characters, respectively. The correct identification rates for the matrices were 98.0% (22 tests) and 90.8% (10 tests) taking a Willcox probability > 0.9. For unambiguous identification of some genomic species, however, additional methods (preferably DNA-DNA hybridization or ribotyping) should be used.
Acinetobacter↗
Subtyping of a frequent phagovar of Listeria monocytogenes in Sweden by use of restriction endonuclease analysis.
In Sweden, many Listeria monocytogenes strains belonging to serovar 4b and isolated during the last five years from different sources share the same phagovar--2389:2425:3274:2671:47:108:340. The object of the present study was to investigate if 31 L. monocytogenes serovar 4b strains belonging to this particular phagovar could be differentiated by use of a simple restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). Among the enzymes tested, Xho I was found to be the most useful, since this enzyme could divide the 31 strains into five groups. The profiles of all human clinical isolates were indistinguishable from each other, which indicates that these strains may represent a single clone. The food isolates and the strains of human origin did not share the same profile. This further characterization may be of epidemiological importance as this phagovar of L. monocytogenes has been associated with at least two outbreaks of human listeriosis in Europe.
Animals↗
Correlation of typing methods for Acinetobacter isolates from hospital outbreaks.
Four methods, namely, biotyping, cell envelope protein electrophoresis, ribotyping, and comparison of antibiograms, were used for strain identification of Acinetobacter isolates from five outbreaks in hospitals. There was good agreement among the methods for the identification of an index strain, but biotyping and the comparison of antibiograms were the least discriminatory.
Acinetobacter↗
Phenotypical properties of Enterobacter agglomerans (Pantoea agglomerans) from human, animal and plant sources.
Clinical, animal and plant isolates, representing different geographical areas, were identified as Enterobacter agglomerans (Pantoea agglomerans) using a quantitative bacterial dot method for DNA-DNA hybridization. The phenotypical properties of the 65 strains were investigated by conventional test methods. No strain decarboxylated ornithine. Twenty-two strains, mainly plant isolates, showed delayed acid production from alpha-methyl-glycoside, a trait which may have ecological significance. With regard to these two properties, our results differed from the description of Pantoea agglomerans given by Gavini et al. (6); further investigations will clarify these differences. Three non-pigmented, maltose-negative and salicin-negative variants were derived from yellow pigmented, maltose-positive, salicin-positive strains.
Animals↗
Genomic groups and biochemical profiles of clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae.
A collection of 123 clinical strains presumptively identified as Enterobacter cloacae and 12 type and reference strains of Enterobacter spp. were genotypically investigated by a quantitative bacterial dot method for DNA-DNA hybridization, giving an estimate of delta Tm (difference in thermal denaturation midpoint between homologous and heterologous duplexes). The API 20E system was used for phenotypic characterization. Using discontinuities in the values of delta Tm as criterion, five genomic groups of E. cloacae could be demonstrated, eleven ungrouped strains representing at least one additional group. Nine API profiles were found, the ideal phenotype of E. cloacae (i.e. the phenotype showing the most common reaction for the species in all tests studied) being the most frequently found. The type strain of E. cloacae and the reference strain CDC 1347-71 represented rather small genomic groups of three and eight strains respectively, most of them inositol positive. A majority of 98 isolates formed one single genomic group, biochemically dominated by the ideal phenotype. The genomic groups could not be differentiated phenotypically. At present there seems to be no reason for an attempt to split E. cloacae into two or more species. The type strain of E. dissolvens showed itself to be closely related to the type strain of E. cloacae (delta Tm 2.3 degrees C), indicating that the two species may be regarded as subjective synonyms.
DNA, Bacterial↗
Reliability of phenotypic tests for identification of Acinetobacter species.
A numerical approach was used for identification of 198 Acinetobacter strains assigned to DNA groups according to the classification of Tjernberg and Ursing (I. Tjernberg and J. Ursing, APMIS 97:595-605, 1989). The matrix used was constructed from data published by Bouvet and Grimont (P.J.M. Bouvet and P.A.D. Grimont, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 36:228-240, 1986) and Bouvet and Jeanjean (P.J.M. Bouvet and S. Jeanjean, Res. Microbiol. 140:291-299, 1989). The tests chosen were those of the simplified identification scheme for Acinetobacter species devised by Bouvet and Grimont (P.J.M. Bouvet and P.A.D. Grimont, Ann. Inst. Pasteur/Microbiol. 138:569-578, 1987), namely, growth at 37, 41, and 44 degrees C, oxidation of glucose, gelatin hydrolysis, and assimilation of 14 carbon sources. Of the strains tested, 181 represented 12 DNA groups in the matrix; at a probability level of greater than or equal to 0.95, 78% of them were correctly identified, 2.2% were misidentified, and 19.8% were not identified. Seventeen strains represented two DNA groups not included in the matrix; nine of them were incorrectly assigned to a DNA group by these phenotypic tests. Because of problems of separating strains belonging to DNA groups 1, 2, 3, and 13 by using the phenotypic tests proposed by Bouvet and Grimont (Ann. Inst. Pasteur/Microbiol.), we suggest that these groups should be referred to as the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex.
Acinetobacter↗
Aerococcus-like organism, a newly recognized potential urinary tract pathogen.
During the last 10 to 15 years, Aerococcus-like organisms have been isolated from urinary tract specimens from hospitalized patients at Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, with signs of urinary tract infection, and a single strain has been deposited at the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC 12142). An additional 63 isolates from the urine specimens of as many patients with suspected urinary tract infection have been identified from seven departments of clinical microbiology in Denmark. Clinical information indicates that this organism may be involved in urinary tract infection. These strains and ten previously collected strains, two of which were from blood cultures, were characterized phenotypically. By comparing the results with data on other gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci or coccobacillary organisms, the identified organisms seem to represent a separate taxon.
Adolescent↗
Genotypic heterogeneity of Flavobacterium group IIb and Flavobacterium breve demonstrated by DNA-DNA hybridization.
DNA-DNA hybridization studies on 42 stains presumptively identified as members of Flavobacterium group IIb and Flavobacterium breve indicated pronounced genotypic heterogeneity within these taxa. Three large groups highly related to the type strains of F. gleum, F. indologenes and F. breve respectively, and eight small groups were found. The group containing the type strain of F. breve was phenotypically indistinguishable from another genomic group, and these two groups were significantly separated from the other flavobacteria studied. The other nine genomic groups, representing Flavobacterium group IIb, could not with certainty be differentiated from each other by phenotypic characteristics, and there is no evidence indicating that these genomic groups differ from each other with respect to pathogenicity or ecology. Thus, it is suggested that for the time being the name "Flavobacterium group IIb" rather than specific epithets continue to be used for these bacteria.
DNA, Bacterial↗
Infected wounds and repeated septicemia in a case of factitious illness.
During 19 years an assistant nurse, now 35 years old, has been repeatedly treated for several malingered and self-induced disorders escalating to self-mutilation. An ulcer of her right leg never epithelialised in spite of various local treatments and surgical intervention. During repeated attacks of self-induced septicemia altogether 11 different bacterial species were isolated; on 8 occasions Rhodococcus equi. The septicemias were successfully treated with antibiotics. The underlying psychiatric problem, a borderline personality disorder, has not been possible to treat in a conventional manner. Probably due to collaboration between the plastic surgeon and the psychiatrist she has had fewer attendances and shorter hospital stays lately. Her prognosis is still dubious as regards further self-mutilation and other expressions of self-destructive behaviour.
Actinomycetales Infections↗
Occurrence of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae on pork and in pig slurry, and the distribution of specific antibodies in abattoir workers.
Strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolated at 19 pig farms serving a certain abattoir, and on pork and in workers of this abattoir were studied. Mouse-pathogenic E. rhusiopathiae was found in pig slurry from two farms (11%). The strains belonged to serotypes 7 and 16 (both from the same farm) or were untypable. In pig slurry from the abattoir lairage only serotype 2 strains were found and all were pathogenic to mice. Mouse-pathogenic E. rhusiopathiae strains of serotype 2 were also recovered from 25 pork lions (25%). A mouse-pathogenic E. rhusiopathiae (serotype 2) strain was isolated from one of the 16 hand infections of slaughterhouse workers. The E. rhusiopathiae strains were phenotypically grouped by the API 50 CH system. Variations were demonstrated for the different serotypes. In 20 of 138 workers antibodies against E. rhusiopathiae were found; 14 had increased levels of IgG antibodies, seven had increased levels of IgM antibodies and one had an increased level of both.
Abattoirs↗
Clinical strains of Acinetobacter classified by DNA-DNA hybridization.
A collection of Acinetobacter strains consisting of 168 consecutive clinical strains and 30 type and reference strains was studied by DNA-DNA hybridization and a few phenotypic tests. The field strains could be allotted to 13 DNA groups. By means of reference strains ten of these could be identified with groups described by Bouvet & Grimont (1986), while three groups were new; they were given the numbers 13-15. The type strain of A. radioresistens--recently described by Nishimura et al. (1988)--was shown to be a member of DNA group 12, which comprised 31 clinical isolates. Of the 19 strains of A. junii, eight showed hemolytic activity on sheep and human blood agar and an additional four strains on human blood agar only. Strains of this species have previously been regarded as non-hemolytic. Reciprocal DNA pairing data for the reference strains of the DNA groups were treated by UPGMA clustering. The reference strains for A. calcoaceticus, A. baumannii and for DNA groups 3 and 13 formed a cluster with about 70% relatedness within the cluster. Other DNA groups joined at levels below 60%.
Acinetobacter↗