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Streptococcus troglodytae sp. nov., from the chimpanzee oral cavity

Masaaki Okamoto1, Susumu Imai2, Mayu Miyanohara2

  • 1Department of Oral Microbiology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, 2-1-3, Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
|March 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Six novel bacterial strains were discovered in a chimpanzee's mouth, exhibiting characteristics similar to Streptococcus mutans. These findings introduce a new species, Streptococcus troglodytae, expanding our understanding of oral microbiome diversity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Primate Oral Microbiome
  • Bacterial Taxonomy

Background:

  • The oral cavity harbors diverse bacterial communities.
  • Streptococcus mutans is a well-known oral bacterium associated with dental caries.
  • Limited research exists on the oral microbiota of non-human primates like chimpanzees.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize novel bacterial strains from the oral cavity of a chimpanzee.
  • To determine the taxonomic classification of these novel isolates.
  • To compare their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics with known oral streptococci.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of bacterial strains from chimpanzee oral swabs.
  • Gram staining, catalase activity, and colonial morphology assessment.
  • Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
  • Phenotypic characterization using the API ZYM system.
  • Peptidoglycan typing and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Main Results:

  • Six strains (TKU 25, 28, 30, 31(T), 33, 34) were isolated and showed similarity to Streptococcus mutans.
  • Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated the closest relationship to S. mutans (96.4%).
  • Distinct phenotypic features, including inulin fermentation and alkaline phosphatase activity, differentiated these strains from S. mutans.
  • Sequence data from housekeeping genes (groEL and sodA) supported the establishment of a new species.

Conclusions:

  • A novel bacterial species, Streptococcus troglodytae sp. nov., is proposed based on phenotypic and genotypic data.
  • The type strain TKU 31(T) represents a distinct lineage within the Streptococcus genus.
  • This discovery contributes to the understanding of primate-associated oral bacteria and their evolutionary relationships.

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