RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Vaneechoutte, Mario A1 Guschin, Alexander A1 Van Simaey, Leen A1 Gansemans, Yannick A1 Van Nieuwerburgh, Filip A1 Cools, PietYR 2019 T1 Emended description of Gardnerella vaginalis and description of Gardnerella leopoldii sp. nov., Gardnerella piotii sp. nov. and Gardnerella swidsinskii sp. nov., with delineation of 13 genomic species within the genus Gardnerella JF International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, VO 69 IS 3 SP 679 OP 687 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.003200 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1466-5034, AB Whole genome sequence analysis (digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity) was carried out for 81 sequenced full genomes of the genus Gardnerella , including ten determined in this study, and indicated the existence of 13 genomic species, of which five consist of only one strain and of which only five contain more than four sequenced genomes. Furthermore, a collection of ten Gardnerella strains, representing the emended species G. vaginalis and the newly described species Gardnerella leopoldii, Gardnerella piotii and Gardnerella swidsinskii, was studied. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS analysis of the protein signatures identified specific peaks that can be used to differentiate these four species. Only strains of G. vaginalis produce β-galactosidase. We emend the description of G. vaginalis (type strain ATCC 14018T=LMG 7832T=CCUG 3717T) and describe the novel species Gardnerella leopoldii sp. nov. (UGent 06.41T=LMG 30814T=CCUG 72425T), Gardnerella piotii sp. nov. (UGent 18.01T=LMG 30818T=CCUG 72427T) and Gardnerella swidsinskii sp. nov. (GS 9838-1T=LMG 30812T=CCUG 72429T)., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.003200