- Volume 33, Issue 2, 1983

A gram-negative rod-shaped organism which exhibits unicellular and multicellular phases of growth is described. Unicellular-phase cells are motile and have mixed flagellation, with a single polar flagellum and 1 to 10 lateral flagella which are easily distinguishable from the polar flagellum by differences in thickness and wavelength. Multicellular conglomerates arise from single cells which lose motility, become optically refractile, and reproduce by multiplanar centripetal septation. Conglomerate formation is enhanced by the presence of sodium ions. Under suitable conditions conglomerates dissociate into single cells, which produce water-clear colonies in which there are initially only a few sluggishly motile unicellular-phase cells. A new genus, Conglomeromonas gen. nov., with the single species Conglomeromonas largomobilis sp. nov. is proposed for these strains, which were isolated from fresh waters. Two subspecies, C. largomobilis subsp. largomobilis subsp. nov. (type strain, UQM 2041) and C. largomobilis subsp. parooensis subsp. nov. (type strain, UQM 2042), are proposed.

A newly isolated actinomycete, which was recovered from a soil sample in Japan, has been found to possess finger-shaped sporangia, motile spores, and other characteristics of members of the genus Dactylo sporangium. This organism produces dactimicin, a pseudodisaccharide antibiotic elaborated by at least one other species of Dactylosporangium, and differs significantly from the three previously described species of Dactylosporangium in its production of a wine-colored pigment, which not only occurs in vegetative mycelium but is observed as an extracellular, diffusible substance in agar medium used to cultivate the organism. On the basis of these and other differences, we propose that strains with these characteristics be designated as a new species, Dactylosporangium vinaceum. Strain SF-2127 (= IFO 14181) is the type strain.

Three strains of motile nocardioform actinomycetes were isolated from sedge blades. The characteristics of these isolates led us to assign them to the genus Actinosynnema. Accordingly, we propose the following new taxa of Actinosynnema: Actinosynnema pretiosum subsp. pretiosum sp. nov., subsp. nov., containing type strain C-15003(N-1) (= IFO 13726 = FERM-P 3992 = ATCC 31281) and strain C-14919(N-2001) (= IFO 13723 - FERM-P 3991 = ATCC 31280); and Actinosynnema pretiosum subsp. auranticum subsp. nov., with type strain C-14482(N-1001) (= IFO 13725 = FERM-P 4130 = ATCC 31309).

A new species of bacteria is described, for which we propose the name Streptomyces sulfonofaciens. This organism produces a new β-lactam antibiotic, SF-2103A, which is a carbapenem compound. S. sulfonofaciens is characterized by its red spore mass, spores with smooth surfaces in straight chains, nonchromogenicity, and carbon utilization pattern. The type strain of S. sulfonofaciens is strain SF-2103, which has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 31892.

On the basis of serological, biological, and morphological characteristics of strain Dimbovitza cells, we concluded that this strain is a representative of the proposed genus Leptonema in the family Leptospiraceae.

A mycoplasma designated strain R171T (type strain) was isolated from the infraorbital sinus of an adult chicken. This organism was assigned to the class Mollicutes and the order Mycoplasmatales on the basis of its morphological, physical, and cultural characteristics. Its deoxyribonucleic acid base composition was 24.5 mol% guanine plus cytosine. Strain R171T was sterol dependent, and since it did not produce helical forms or hydrolyze urea, it was assigned to the family Mycoplasmataceae and the genus Mycoplasma. Strain R171T fermented glucose, hydrolyzed arginine, and produced films and spots. This strain was shown to be serologically distinct from 74 currently accepted mycoplasma species or serovars by growth inhibition, immunofluorescence, and immunodiffusion tests, which were supported in some cases by metabolism inhibition tests. Thus, strain R171T appears to be a new and distinct mycoplasma species, for which we propose the name Mycoplasma lipofaciens (= NCTC 10191T = ATCC 35015T).

A new species, Mycobacterium fallax, is described. A study of 22 strains showed that they form a homogeneous group with an internal phenotypic similarity value of 94.6 ± 4.1%. The colony morphology resembled that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with cord formation on solid medium. The characteristic features of these strains were that they were nonchromogenic and grew rapidly at 30°C but slowly at 37°C. Most formed a thermolabile catalase and produced nitrate reductase. A lipid analysis showed that tuberculostearic acid was present and that only α-mycolic acids were formed. These α-mycolic acids were di- and tri-unsaturated acids, a feature that has not been described previously in the mycobacteria. The type strain has been deposited in the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Paris, France, as strain CIP 8139.

Four glucose-nonfermenting Acholeplasma strains were isolated from oral cavities of horses and a horse vagina. The biological and serological properties of these isolates were distinct from those of the eight currently recognized Acholeplasma species. These strains were regarded as belonging to a new species, which was given the name Acholeplasma parvum. Strain H23M was designated the type strain of A. parvum, and a culture of this strain has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 29892.

Three mycoplasma strains were isolated from the vaginal tracts of strain RIII mice. These isolates had similar biochemical and serological properties and grew on SP-4 medium but not on conventional mycoplasma medium containing horse serum and yeast extract. Anaerobic incubation was required. These organisms hydrolyzed arginine but not urea, produced a film and spot reaction, and were susceptible to 1.5% digitonin. Cholesterol was required for growth, and the organisms adsorbed to guinea pig erythrocytes and exhibited uridine phosphorylase activity. The organisms were serologically distinct from 82 Mycoplasma species and unclassified serotypes. On the basis of these findings and other morphological and biological properties of the organisms, we propose that mycoplasma strains with these characteristics belong to a new species, Mycoplasma muris. Strain RIII-4 (= ATCC 33757) is the type strain.

Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis was used to study the antigenic composition and serological relationships of the following five Acholeplasma species: Acholeplasma axanthtim, Acholeplasma equifetale, Acholeplasma granulation, Acholeplasma hippikon, and Acholeplasma laidlawii. A total of 15 to 25 precipitin peaks were observed in the homologous reactions. A. equifetale and A. hippikon were most closely related serologically, having six related antigens. Nearly all antigens were negatively charged at pH 8.6; the only exceptions were one antigen of A. axanthum and one antigen of A. laidlawii. The “positively charged” antigens were membrane associated and did not cross-react. One common antigen was recognized in each organism by all heterologous antisera. Monospecific antiserum prepared against the common antigen (peak 0.72 of A. hippikon) reacted with one antigen in each species tested. The electrophoretic mobilities of the common antigen ranged from 0.45 (A. axanthum) to 0.72 (A. hippikon). This antigen was located in the cytoplasm of A. laidlawii because the antiserum reacted only with the cytoplasmic fractions, not with the membrane fractions. The recognition of a common cytoplasmic antigen in the Acholeplasmataceae is important to the taxonomy of these organisms.

A new species of Streptosporangium is described, for which we propose the name Streptosporangium fragile. This organism produces a new anthracycline antibiotic and is characterized by dark brown to black vegetative mycelium, pink aerial mycelium, brown soluble pigment, and fragile sporangial membrane. In older cultures the fragility of the sporangial membrane results in the coalescence of the sporangiospores into large irregular masses. The type strain of S. fragile is SK&F-BC2496 (= ATCC 31519).

A nocardioform bacterium isolated from soil was studied. On the basis of cell wall composition and physiological characteristics, this organism was placed in the genus Nocardiopsis. This organism differed from the only previously described species of this genus by a number of morphological and biochemical characteristics, including inability to decompose adenine and xanthine, fragmentation in submerged cultures, growth in lysozyme broth, and possession of type PIV phospholipids. It also produced a novel antibiotic, polynitroxin. This organism is regarded as a new species, for which we propose the name Nocardiopsis mutabilis. The type strain of this species is SK&F-AAA025 (= ATCC 31520).

A strain of Halobacterium was isolated from the Dead Sea. This isolate differs from the previously isolated halobacteria in (i) its requirement for sodium ions, which is lower than that of most other halobacteria (≥0.5 M), (ii) its requirement for divalent cations (Mg2+ or Ca2+), which is higher than that of most other halobacteria (optimal growth was obtained in the presence of 0.6 to 1.2 M Mg2+), (iii) its requirement for either starch or clay minerals (bentonite) for growth in the standard growth medium used, and (iv) its synthesis of purple membrane at low oxygen tensions in the light. This organism has been designated Halobacterium sodomense sp. nov. The type strain is strain ATCC 33755.

Two mycoplasmas recovered from human urogenital tracts were similar in their biochemical and serological properties. These organisms possessed a unique terminal structure that appeared to be associated with attachment to tissue cells and erythrocytes. The organisms fermented glucose but did not hydrolyze urea or arginine. Growth occurred at 30 to 37°. Cholesterol was required for growth. Unlike most other mycoplasmas, both strains were susceptible to thallium acetate. These two organisms were serologically distinct from other Mycoplasma species and from a group of unclassified serotypes of mycoplasmas. On the basis of these findings and other morphological, biological, and serological properties of the microorganisms, we propose that mycoplasmas with these characteristics belong to a new species, Mycoplasma genitalium. Strain G-37 (= ATCC 33530) is the type strain.

The bacterial genus Microcyclus Ørskov 1928 is illegitimate because of precedence of the fungal genus Microcyclus Saccardo 1904. Therefore, a new genus name, Ancylobacter, is proposed as substitute for the bacterial genus. Thus, the type species Microcyclus aquaticus Ørskov becomes Ancylobacter aquaticus Ørskov Raj comb. nov.

Brucella strains isolated from mouselike rodents in the northern foothills of the Large Caucasus are phenotypically similar to Brucella suis. On the basis of several differential characteristics, these strains are considered to be a new biotype of B. suis.

Deoxyribonucleic acid homologies were examined in 23 strains labeled Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lentus, or intermediate between these two species. With one exception (strain NRS 1560), the 11 strains assigned to B. firmus showed high homologies with the deoxyribonucleic acid of the type strain of B. firmus (ATCC 14575). However, the strains labeled B. lentus (five strains) or intermediate (seven strains) showed low homologies (approximately 5%) with the standard strains of B. firmus and with each other, except for one intermediate strain (NRS 1369), which showed high homology (98%) with one of the standard strains of B. firmus, and strains NRS 883 and NRS 1262 (both labeled B. lentus), which showed high homology (50%) with each other.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae did not appear on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names in 1980. This species is frequently isolated from milk and is well known as a cause of bovine mastitis. Deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization has shown that it is a species which is distinct from other species found in the same habitat. We propose that Streptococcus dysgalactiae be revived and recognized as a species, with NCDO 2023 as the type strain.

The name Lactobacillus yamanashiensis (Nonomura et al.) was not included on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names and currently has no standing in bacterial nomenclature. This name is here revived for the same organism with which it was originally associated. The type strain is 239 (= ATCC 27304).