Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Peter Kämpfer.
A case of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) caused by Sphingobacterium spiritivorum is described. The symptoms were associated with the use of a steam iron. The water reservoir was heavily contaminated with S. spiritivorum (10(6) CFU ml(-1)). This is the first report of S. spiritivorum as a causative agent of EAA.
Methane cycling within compost heaps has not yet been investigated in detail. We show that thermophilic methane oxidation occurred after a lag phase of up to one day in 4-week old, 8-week old and mature (>10-week old) compost material. The potential rate of methane oxidation was between 2.6 and 4.1 micromol CH4(gdw)(-1)h(-1). Profiles of methane concentrations within heaps of different ages indicated that 46-98% of the methane produced was oxidised by methanotrophic bacteria. The population size of thermophilic methanotrophs was estimated at 10(9) cells (gdw)(-1), based on methane oxidation rates. A methanotroph (strain KTM-1) was isolated from the highest positive step of a serial dilution series. This strain belonged to the genus Methylocaldum, which contains thermotolerant and thermophilic methanotrophs. The closest relative organism on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence identity was M. szegediense (>99%), a species originally isolated from hot springs. The temperature optimum (45-55 degrees C) for methane oxidation within the compost material was identical to that of strain KTM-1, suggesting that this strain was well adapted to the conditions in the compost material. The temperatures measured in the upper layer (0-40 cm) of the compost heaps were also in this range, so we assume that these organisms are capable of effectively reducing the potential methane emissions from compost.
The aerobic degradation of the natural hormone 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and the synthetic hormone 17-alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) was investigated in batch experiments with activated sludge from a conventional and a membrane sewage treatment plant. E2 was converted to estrone (E1), the well known metabolite, and further completely transformed within 3 days. The turnover rates of E2 did not differ greatly between conventional and membrane activated sludge. EE2 was persistent in both sludges. By several transfers into fresh E2-medium an enrichment culture could be selected that used E2 as growth substrate. Further enrichment and isolation led to a defined mixed culture consisting of two strains, which were identified by a polyphasic approach as Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Ralstonia sp., respectively. The culture used E2 and E1 as growth substrates and transformed estriol (E3) and 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone but not the xenoestrogens bisphenol A, alpha-zearalenol, mestranol or EE2. The turnover rates of E2 were 0.025-0.1 microg h(-1) cfu(-1) and did not depend on the steroid concentration.
A bacterial strain (CCUG 44693T) was recovered during an industrial hygiene control. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that it represents a new lineage in the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria, with the highest sequence similarity of 93.3% to the type strain of Muricoccus roseus. In the polyamine pattern spermidine was the predominant compound. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl dimethylethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl cholin and an unknown amino lipid. The major respiratory quinone was a ubiquinone Q-10 and the major whole cell fatty acids were 19:0 cyclo omega8c and 18:1 omega7c. The isolate also contained 18:1 2-OH and other fatty acids typical for members of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria in addition to 10:0 2-OH in low amounts, not detected in members of closely related genera. The strain grew heterotrophically and strictly aerobically and formed red-colored colonies on tryptone soy agar. Bacteriochlorophyll a could not be detected by direct spectrophotometric analyses of aerobically grown cells. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, chemotaxonomic and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strain CCUG 44693T (CIP 108310T) represents a new genus of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria for which we propose the name Rhodovarius lipocyclicus gen. nov. sp. nov.
Strain K11T was isolated from activated sludge of a municipal wastewater-treatment plant. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that it represents a distinct line of descent within the Comamonadaceae. The novel strain was a Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile, straight to slightly curved rod. Polyhydroxyalkanoate granules were stored intracellularly as reserve material. Colonies on agar plates were small, regular and characterized by a water-insoluble yellow pigment. Unbranched fatty acids 16:1omega7c, 16:0 and 18:1omega7c dominated the cellular fatty acid pattern and ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the major component of the respiratory lipoquinones, both traits typical of members of the Comamonadaceae. A distinguishing characteristic was the presence of the two hydroxy fatty acids 10:0 3-OH and 12:0 2-OH, each in significant amounts. The G+C content of the DNA was 59 mol%. Strain K11T was capable of aerobic chemolithoheterotrophic growth using thiosulfate as an additional substrate, but could not grow autotrophically with thiosulfate or hydrogen. Facultative anaerobic growth was possible with nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptors, but not with ferric iron, sulfate or by fermentation. The sole end product of denitrification was N2O; nitrite accumulated only transiently in small amounts. Based upon phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed to establish the novel taxon Ottowia thiooxydans gen. nov., sp. nov., represented by the type strain K11T (=DSM 14619T=JCM 11629T). Aquaspirillum gracile was among the phylogenetically most closely related species to strain K11T. This species has been wrongly classified, and it is proposed to reclassify it as Hylemonella gracilis gen. nov., comb. nov. The type strain is ATCC 19624T (=DSM 9158T).
Comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicates that two distinct sublineages, with a sequence dissimilarity of >4 % (bootstrap value, 100 %), exist within the genus RALSTONIA: the Ralstonia eutropha lineage, which comprises Ralstonia basilensis, Ralstonia campinensis, R. eutropha, Ralstonia gilardii, Ralstonia metallidurans, Ralstonia oxalatica, Ralstonia paucula, Ralstonia respiraculi and Ralstonia taiwanensis; and the Ralstonia pickettii lineage, which comprises Ralstonia insidiosa, Ralstonia mannitolilytica, R. pickettii, Ralstonia solanacearum and Ralstonia syzygii comb. nov. (previously Pseudomonas syzygii). This phylogenetic discrimination is supported by phenotypic differences. Members of the R. eutropha lineage have peritrichous flagella, do not produce acids from glucose and are susceptible to colistin, in contrast to members of the R. pickettii lineage, which have one or more polar flagella, produce acid from several carbohydrates and are colistin-resistant. Members of the R. pickettii lineage are viable for up to 6 days on tryptic soy agar at 25 degrees C, whereas members of the R. eutropha lineage are viable for longer than 9 days. It is proposed that species of the R. eutropha lineage should be classified in a novel genus, Wautersia gen. nov. Finally, based on the literature and new DNA-DNA hybridization data, it is proposed that Pseudomonas syzygii should be renamed Ralstonia syzygii comb. nov.
A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (B5(T)) was isolated from an enrichment culture that contained 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene as the sole source of carbon. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain B5(T) was shown to belong to the family Pseudonocardiaceae and was related most closely to Pseudonocardia sulfidoxydans (98.8 %) and Pseudonocardia hydrocarbonoxydans (98.3 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to other Pseudonocardia species was <97 %. Chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone, MK-8(H(4)); major polar lipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol; major fatty acids, C(16 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0)] supported the affiliation of strain B5(T) to the genus Pseudonocardia. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain B5(T) from P. sulfidoxydans and P. hydrocarbonoxydans. Strain B5(T) therefore represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia benzenivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain B5(T) (=DSM 44703(T)=CIP 107928(T)).
A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterium (GW39-1573(T)) was isolated from soil of the Spanish island of Tenerife. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain GW39-1573(T) belonged to the genus Nocardia and was most closely related to Nocardia brasiliensis (98.0 %), Nocardia beijingensis (97.3 %), Nocardia transvalensis (97.5 %), Nocardia asteroides (97.2 %) and Nocardia farcinica (97.0 %). Strain GW39-1573(T) could be distinguished from all other validly described Nocardia species by sequence similarity values of less than 97 %. Chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone: MK-8(H(4, omega-cycl)); major polar lipids: diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown glycolipid and an unknown phospholipid; major fatty acids: C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega9c and 10 methyl C(16 : 0)] and the presence of mycolic acids supported the affiliation of strain GW39-1573(T) to the genus NOCARDIA: The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain GW39-1573(T) from those related species that showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of greater than 97 %. Strain GW39-1573(T) merits species status, and the name Nocardia tenerifensis is proposed with the type strain GW39-1573(T) (=DSM 44704(T)=CIP 107929(T)).
Three Lampropedia hyalina strains from different habitats were compared by phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics. All strains form coccoid cells and have been reported to grow as square tablets of eight to 64 cells. However, two of these strains (ATCC 11041T and ATCC 43383) have apparently lost this ability, and the third strain may temporarily lose this capacity under certain cultivation conditions. The three strains showed only minor differences in metabolic characteristics: the main significant physiological difference was the ability to accumulate polyphosphate under alternating anaerobic-aerobic conditions found for DSM 15336. The three strains showed high similarity in fatty acid composition and only slight differences in the G + C content (63-67 mol%) and DNA-DNA reassociation (90-95 % relatedness). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses on these three strains and three Lampropedia hyalina 16S rRNA gene sequences deposited at NCBI showed that they are all very similar (> 98.8 %) and that they form a distinct group among the 'Betaproteobacteria', showing between 94.6 and 93 % 16S rRNA gene similarity to members of various genera such as Acidovorax, Aquaspirillum, Brachymonas, Comamonas, Delftia and Xenophilus. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes targeting betaproteobacteria on the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA gene level further supported the conclusion that all investigated strains are members of the 'Betaproteobacteria'. Two oligonucleotide probes were designed and successfully applied for culture-independent identification of Lampropedia hyalina by means of fluorescent in situ hybridization.
Three yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strains, C36T, C37 and C39, were isolated in the Medical Clinic for Small Animals and Ungulates at the University for Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain C36T was shown to belong to the genus Pseudomonas; Pseudomonas oleovorans DSM 1045T was the nearest relative (99.5 % sequence similarity). Other Pseudomonas species shared <97 % sequence similarity with strain C36T. The presence of Q-9 as the major ubiquinone, the predominance of putrescine and spermidine in its polyamine patterns and its fatty acid profile [i.e. the predominance of C(16 : 0), summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or 2-OH C(15 : 0) iso), C(18 : 1)omega7c and the presence of 3-OH C(10 : 0), 3-OH C(12 : 0) and 2-OH C(12 : 0)] were in agreement with identification of this strain as a member of the genus Pseudomonas. Physiological and biochemical characteristics and the results of genomic fingerprinting clearly differentiated strain C36T from its phylogenetic relative P. oleovorans DSM 1045T. Results from DNA-DNA hybridization showed that strain C36T represents a species that is distinct from P. oleovorans DSM 1045T. These data demonstrate that strain C36T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C36T (= LMG 21977T = DSM 15758T). Additionally, physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genomic fingerprints indicate that P. oleovorans ATCC 29347 may not be a member of the species P. oleovorans sensu stricto.
Airborne thermophilic actinomycetes (TPAs) are a growing hygienic challenge in different occupational situations e.g. large scale composting. This study describes first results of a new approach for highly specific and rapid detection of organisms of this group using fluorescently labelled oligonucleotide probes as sensors for whole cells. Three genus-specific 16S rRNA-targeted probes, two for Saccharomonospora spp. and one for Thermoactinomyces spp. were developed and evaluated in a fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) format with agar-grown whole cells. For optimal sensitivity and specificity of FISH, conditions for cell wall permeabilisation and hybridisation stringency were evaluated independently for both genera. Performing specified pretreatment protocols, all three probes yielded strong fluorescence signals. However, the relative fraction of detectable cells or spores clearly depended on the single bacterial species. The probes can serve as cell sensors for direct detection of TPAs in natural samples.
Two bacterial isolates (170/96T and 173/96T) were recovered from the indoor building materials of a children's day care center. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequences of both isolates indicated they both represent new lineages in the alpha-1-subclass of the Proteobacteria, with the highest sequence similarities of 93.7% and 93.6%, respectively to the type strain of Paracraurococcus ruber. When directly compared both isolates showed a 93.4% sequence similarity of their 16S rRNAs. The major respiratory quinone in both strains was a ubiquinone with 10 isoprenoid units and the major whole cell fatty acid of both strains was 18:1 omega7c. Both isolates also contained 18:1 2-OH and other fatty acids typical for members of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria. Both strains were heterotrophic and strictly aerobic and formed slightly red-colored colonies on tryptone soy agar. Bacteriochlorophyll a could not be detected by direct spectrophotometric analyses of aerobically grown cells. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strains 170/96T and 173/96T represent two new genera and new species of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria for which we propose the names Teichococcus ludipueritiae gen. nov. sp. nov., and Muricoccus roseus gen. nov. sp. nov., respectively.
A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, yellow-pigmented bacterium (strain B2T) isolated from wastewater of a sequence batch reactor showing enhanced phosphorus removal was investigated to determine its taxonomic status. Complete 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the organism should be placed in the genus Chryseobacterium. The strain contained a polyamine pattern with sym-homospermidine as the major compound, menaquinone MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and ai-C15:0, i-C15:0 and C16:1 as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine and several unidentified lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. Phylogenetically, strain B2T was most closely related to Chryseobacterium indoltheticum and Chryseobacterium gleum (96.2 and 95-9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). The phylogenetic distance from any validly described species within the genus Chryseobacterium, as indicated from 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, and its phenotypic properties demonstrate that strain B2T represents a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium defluvii sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is B2T (=DSM 14219T =CIP 107207T).
The microflora isolated from food-packaging board is dominated by paenibacilli; a number of these micro-organisms have been characterized using a polyphasic approach. The highest 16S rRNA gene similarity was found between these isolates and Paenibacillus azotofixans ATCC 35681(T) (97.7 %). The main fatty acid of the paperboard isolates was C(16 : 0) (34-45 %); straight-chain fatty acids made up 41-60 % of the total cellular fatty acids, thus distinguishing these strains from other Paenibacillus species. The paperboard isolates produced cyclodextrins from starch. The spore surface had a characteristic ribbed ornamentation. Spores and vegetative cells frequently had pilus-like appendages. Based on phylogenetic data and phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is proposed that the isolates represent a novel species, Paenibacillus stellifer sp. nov., with IS 1(T) (=DSM 14472(T)=CCUG 45566(T)) as the type strain.
In a project concerning bacterial colonization of experimental wall paintings, a large number of isolates have been acquired with high similarities in their whole-cell protein patterns obtained after SDS-PAGE. Of this group, four strains, designated V2-BIII-A2(T), V2-BI-A9, V2-BI-04 and V2-BII-A8, were chosen for further characterization. Banding patterns obtained after ERIC-PCR were barely distinguishable among these four strains, indicating their affiliation within a single species. The isolates also displayed nearly identical biochemical and physiological features. The chemotaxonomic characteristics, including polar lipids, quinone systems, cell-wall diamino acid composition and fatty acid profiles, were in good agreement with those of numerous previously described Bacillus species. 16S rDNA analysis of strain V2-BIII-A2(T) showed that this bacterium belongs to the genus Bacillus, with highest sequence similarities to Bacillus megaterium (94.6%), Bacillus flexus (94.4%) and the alkaliphilic Bacillus cohnii (94.2%). Based on almost identical biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic traits, ERIC-PCR-generated genomic fingerprints and comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis, it is demonstrated that the four isolates represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus barbaricus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is V2-BIII-A2(T) (= CCM 4982(T) = DSM 14730(T)).
A group of seven sucrose-negative Aeromonas strains (referred to as group Au) isolated from the internal organs of septicaemic farmed frogs (Rana rugulosa) in Thailand was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study including fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP) and ERIC-PCR fingerprinting, 16S rDNA sequencing, microplate DNA-DNA hybridizations and extensive phenotypic characterization. Comparison of FAFLP and ERIC-PCR fingerprints indicated that the group Au isolates belonged to the species Aeromonas hydrophila DNA hybridization group (HG) 1 in which they represent a genotypic subgroup closely affiliated to A. hydrophila subsp. hydrophila and subsp. dhakensis. One representative of the Au group exhibited > or = 99.0% 16S rDNA sequence similarity with the type strains of the two A. hydrophila subspecies. DNA-DNA hybridization with type and reference strains of all known Aeromonas taxa revealed that the Au group represented a homogeneous taxon that exhibited the highest relatedness with members of the two A. hydrophila subspecies, ranging from 75 to 93%. Phenotypic characterization on the basis of 152 features further revealed that the Au group isolates differed from A. hydrophila subsp. hydrophila or subsp. dhakensis in a total of 13 biochemical properties. Of these, assimilation of L-glycine and isobutyrate as sole carbon source, acid production from salicin and D-sucrose, and aesculin hydrolysis were of diagnostic value. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the Aeromonas frog isolates of the Au group represent a new subspecies of A. hydrophila, for which the name Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. ranae subsp. nov. is proposed. Its type strain is Au-1D12(T) (=LMG 19707(T) = CCUG 46211(T)).
Seven psychrotolerant, Gram-negative bacterial strains, five dust- and airborne isolates (MA101b(T), MA306a, MA405/90, MA-olki(T) and NW12(T)) and two from the Antarctic (Ant 20 and M3C203B-B), were subjected to a polyphasic characterization to determine their taxonomic position. High 16S rDNA sequences similarities (99.3-100.0 %) demonstrated that they were closely related to each other. Phylogenetic evaluation of their 16S rDNA sequences revealed that they are members of the genus Sphingomonas sensu stricto, encompassing a separate branch within this genus. They shared 94.4-96.6 % 16S rDNA sequence similarity with species of this genus. All Sphingomonas-specific signature nucleotides were also detected. The presence of the major ubiquinone Q-10, sym-homospermidine as the predominant polyamine, Sphingomonadaceae-specific sphingoglycolipid in the polar lipid patterns and a fatty acid profile containing C(14 : 0) 2-OH and lacking 3-OH fatty acids were in agreement with identification of these strains as members of the genus Sphingomonas sensu stricto. Results from DNA-DNA hybridizations and comparison of protein patterns indicated that the seven strains are members of three distinct species. One species is represented by strains MA101b(T), MA306a and MA405/90, the second by strains NW12(T), Ant 20 and M3C203B-B and the third by one strain, MA-olki(T). Their distinction at the species level was also supported by results of biochemical characterization and partly supported by riboprints and genomic fingerprints. On the basis of these results, three novel species of the genus Sphingomonas are proposed: Sphingomonas aurantiaca sp. nov., consisting of strains MA101b(T) (=DSM 14748(T)=LMG 21377(T)), MA306a and MA405/90 (=DSM 14749=LMG 21378), Sphingomonas faeni sp. nov. MA-olki(T) (=DSM 14747(T)=LMG 21379(T)) and Sphingomonas aerolata sp. nov., represented by strains NW12(T) (=DSM 14746(T)=LMG 21376(T)), Ant 20 (=ICMP 13599) and M3C203B-B (=SMCC M3C203B-B).
Thirteen isolates of Acinetobacter were obtained from activated sludge plants in Victoria, Australia. Earlier 16S-23S rDNA genomic fingerprinting and partial 16S rDNA sequence data had suggested that these isolates might contain previously undescribed species. This view was confirmed here. A polyphasic taxonomic approach involving phenotypic characterization, near-complete 16S rDNA sequence data and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses support the view that seven novel genomic species can be differentiated in this group of isolates. However, when fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies were performed with a 16S-rRNA-targeted probe specific for the genus Acinetobacter, used to identify Acinetobacter in activated sludge plants, all these strains responded positively. This suggests that these isolates would not have been missed in earlier FISH studies where their role as polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria has been questioned. This report describes these isolates and proposes that they be named Acinetobacter baylyi (type strain B2T = DSM 14961T = CIP 107474T), Acinetobacter bouvetii (type strain 4B02T = DSM 14964T = CIP 107468T), Acinetobacter grimontii (type strain 17A04T = DSM 14968T = CIP 107470T), Acinetobacter tjernbergiae (type strain 7N16T = DSM 14971T = CIP 107465T), Acinetobacter towneri (type strain AB1110T = DSM 14962T = CIP 107472T), Acinetobacter tandoii (type strain 4N13T = DSM 14670T = CIP 107469T) and Acinetobacter gerneri (type strain 9A01T = DSM 14967T = CIP 107464T).