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Published on: December 10, 2016
Clostridium bartlettii sp. nov., isolated from human faeces
Y L Song1, C X Liu, M McTeague
1Research Service, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Bldg. 304, Room E3-227, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. yulis1@yahoo.com
Seven new bacterial strains from human feces were identified as a novel species, Clostridium bartlettii. These obligate anaerobes are Gram-positive, spore-forming rods, phylogenetically distinct from known Clostridium species.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Taxonomy
- Anaerobic Microbiology
Background:
- Human gut microbiota harbors diverse microorganisms.
- Obligate anaerobic bacteria play crucial roles in gut ecosystems.
- Characterization of novel species is essential for understanding microbial diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize seven novel bacterial isolates from human fecal specimens.
- To determine the taxonomic position of these isolates using polyphasic methods.
- To propose a new species classification based on comprehensive data.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic characterization including metabolic products.
- Molecular taxonomic methods, specifically 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Genomic DNA-DNA hybridization for species delineation.
Main Results:
- The seven strains were obligate anaerobes, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and spore-forming.
- Metabolic analysis revealed production of acetic acid, isovaleric acid, and phenylacetic acid (PAA) from glucose.
- Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization confirmed the strains represent a novel species, Clostridium bartlettii, distinct from Clostridium glycolicum.
Conclusions:
- The novel bacterial isolates represent a new species, Clostridium bartlettii sp. nov.
- C. bartlettii is phylogenetically positioned within Clostridium Cluster XI.
- This discovery expands the known diversity of anaerobic bacteria in the human gut.
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