Globicatella sulfidifaciens sp. nov., isolated from purulent infections in domestic animals

P Vandamme, J Hommez, C Snauwaert, B Hoste, I Cleenwerck, K Lefebvre, M Vancanneyt, J Swings, LA Devriese and F Haesebrouck Laboratorium voor Microbiologie, Faculteit Wetenschappen, Universiteit Gent, Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium DNA--DNA hybridization experiments and comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that six isolates from purulent joint and lung infections in calves, from a lung lesion in a sheep, and from a joint infection of a pig represented a novel species belonging to the genus Globicatella. Whole-cell protein electrophoresis and biochemical activity testing revealed that the isolates formed a homogeneous group differing from Globicatella sanguinis, the only species of this genus described to date. These animal isolates were classified as Globicatella sulfidifaciens sp. nov. with LMG 18844(T) (=CCUG 44365(T)), isolated from the lung of a calf, as the type strain. A detailed description of its phenotypic characteristics is presented. Hydrogen sulphide production was found to be a very useful diagnostic feature.