Characterization of clinical isolates previously identified as Oerskovia turbata: proposal of Cellulosimicrobium funkei sp. nov. and emended description of the genus Cellulosimicrobium

Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch; Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA Correspondence June M. Brown jmb6{at}cdc.gov Taxonomic studies were performed on 13 clinical isolates (ten of which were epidemiologically related) that had been previously identified as Oerskovia turbata . Comparative phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that the isolates are closely related to Cellulosimicrobium cellulans with sequence similarity values ranging from 99·5 to 99·8 %. Chemotaxonomic results (fatty acid profiles and menaquinones) supported the inclusion of these isolates in the genus Cellulosimicrobium . The DNA G+C content was 74·5 mol%. The results of DNA–DNA reassociation, whole-cell sugars (with galactose as the characteristic whole sugar) and phenotypic properties, including antimicrobial resistance, indicated that these isolates are representatives of a novel species of the genus Cellulosimicrobium . The name Cellulosimicrobium funkei sp. nov. is proposed for the novel strains, with strain W6122 T (=ATCC BAA-886 T =DSM 16025 T =CCUG 50705 T ) as the type strain. The definition of this novel Cellulosimicrobium species will assist in the understanding of the epidemiology and clinical significance of these micro-organisms. The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene sequences of Cellulosimicrobium funkei strains W6122 T , W6123, W2796 and W4083 are AY501364 and AY523787 –AY523789 , respectively. Present address: Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.