International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology publish this investigation article

July 1^st, 2014

Biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on four unknown Gram-positive catalase-negative coccus-shaped organisms isolated from tonsils (n=3) and nasal samples (n=1) of four wild rabbits. The microorganism was identified as a streptococcal species based on its cellular morphological and biochemical tests. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its identification as a member of the genus Streptococcus, but the organism did not correspond to any recognized species of this genus. The closest phylogenetic relative of the unknown cocci from wild rabbits was Streptococcus acidominimus (97.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain). rpoB and sodA sequence analysis showed interspecies divergence from its closest 16S rRNA phylogenetic relative, S. acidominimus of 16.2% and 20.3%, respectively. The novel bacterial isolate can be distinguished from S. acidominimus by several biochemical characteristics, such as the production of esterase C4, acid phosphatase and Naphthol-AS-BI-phophohydrolase and acidification of different sugars. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic findings, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as a new species of the genus Streptococcus, Streptococcus cuniculi sp. nov. The type strain of Streptococcus cuniculi is NED12-00049-6BT (= CECT 8498T = CCUG 65085T)

Vela AI., Sanchez V., Zamora L., Casamayor A., Dominguez L. and Fernandez-Garayzabal JF..

Streptococcus cuniculi sp. nov., isolated from the respiratory tract of wild rabbits

Streptococcus cuniculi sp. nov., isolated from the respiratory tract of wild rabbits

	Servicio de Identificación y Caracterización Microbiana (ICM). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).