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Clostridium hathewayi sp. nov., from human faeces
T Steer1, M D Collins, G R Gibson
1School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, UK.
Systematic and Applied Microbiology
|February 2, 2002
Summary
A novel anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium hathewayi, was identified from human feces. This spore-forming bacterium metabolizes carbohydrates, producing key fermentation products and representing a new species within the Clostridium coccoides group.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Taxonomy
- Anaerobic Metabolism
Background:
- Isolation of a novel anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium from a human fecal-derived chemostat.
- Characterization of its metabolic activity and G+C content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and classify a previously unrecognized bacterial species.
- To determine the phylogenetic placement of the novel bacterium within the Clostridium genus.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation under strictly anoxic conditions.
- Analysis of fermentation products from glucose metabolism.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing for phylogenetic analysis.
- Determination of guanine-plus-cytosine (G+C) content.
Main Results:
- The bacterium ferments carbohydrates, producing acetate, ethanol, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed significant divergence (>4%) from known species.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate within the Clostridium coccoides rRNA group, but as a distinct sub-line.
- The G+C content was determined to be 50.7-50.9 mol%.
Conclusions:
- The isolated bacterium represents a novel species, Clostridium hathewayi.
- Clostridium hathewayi is a new addition to the Clostridium coccoides rRNA group.
- The study provides a comprehensive description of the new species, including its type strain (DSM 13479T).