Characterization of a novel Gram-positive, catalase-negative coccus from horses. Description of Eremococcus coleocola gen. nov., sp. nov

1 Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Reading Reading RG6 6AP, UK 2 Culture Collection, Department of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Göteborg, Sweden 3 SAC Veterinary Services, Inverness, UK Author for correspondence: Matthew D. Collins. Tel: +44 118 935 7226. Fax: +44 118 935 7222. e-mail: David.Collins{at}bbsrc.ac.uk ABSTRACT Two strains of an unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus origniating from the reproductive tract of horses were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstraed tha the two strains constitute a new subline within the lactic-acid group of bacteria, close to, but distinct from, Abiotrophia defectiva, Globicatella sanguinis and close relatives The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from other described Gram positive, catalase-negative cocci by biochemical tests and electrophoretic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Eremococcus coleocola gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Eremococcus coleocola is CCUG 38207 T . Key Words: Eremococcus coleocola gen. nov. • sp. nov. • taxonomy • phylogeny • 16S rRNA • horse The GenBank accession number for the rRNA gene sequence of Eremococcus coleocola strain CCUG 38207 T is Y17780 .