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Published on: January 17, 2014
Prevotella illustrans sp. nov., derived from human oropharyngeal abscess puncture fluid
Michael E J Buhl1, Jan P Meier-Kolthoff2, Matthias Marschal3
1Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany.
Abstract:
An obligately anaerobic strain, designated as A2931T, was isolated from oropharyngeal abscess puncture fluid of a patient sampled during routine care at a hospital and further characterized both phenotypically, biochemically and genotypically. This Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium was moderately saccharolytic and proteolytic. Phylogenetic analyses of full-length 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed it to be best placed in the genus Prevotella, but to be only comparatively distantly related to recognized species, with the closest relationship to Prevotella baroniae (average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values both well below the generally accepted thresholds). Strain A2931T had a genomic DNA G+C content of 47.7 mol%. Its most abundant cellular long-chain fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. Taken together, this polyphasic data suggests strain A2931T to represent a novel species within the genus Prevotella, for which the name Prevotella illustrans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A2931T (=DSM 108028T=CCOS 1232T=CCUG 72806T). Interestingly, we found strain A2931T to correspond to the oral taxon Prevotella HMT-820 in the Human Oral Microbiome Database, as supported by overall genome relatedness index analyses >99 %. Thus, our work not only closes one of the gaps of knowledge about hitherto unnamed species isolated from humans, but also will facilitate identification of this taxon both in the clinical microbiology context and in research alike.
Insights
A novel anaerobic bacterium, Prevotella illustrans, was identified from human abscess fluid. This finding helps fill knowledge gaps and aids in identifying this Prevotella species in clinical and research settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Genomics
Background:
- Obligately anaerobic bacteria are crucial in human health and disease.
- The genus Prevotella comprises various species found in human oral and other body sites.
- Accurate identification of bacterial species is vital for clinical diagnostics and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and name a novel Prevotella species isolated from human oropharyngeal abscess fluid.
- To establish the phylogenetic and genotypic distinctiveness of the novel isolate.
- To facilitate the identification of this previously unnamed taxon.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic, biochemical, and genotypic characterization of the bacterial isolate (A2931T).
- Phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences.
- Determination of genomic DNA G+C content and cellular fatty acid composition.
- Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) calculations.
Main Results:
- Strain A2931T, a Gram-negative, obligately anaerobic rod, was moderately saccharolytic and proteolytic.
- Phylogenetic analyses placed A2931T within the Prevotella genus, distantly related to known species.
- Genomic and phenotypic data supported A2931T as a novel species, Prevotella illustrans sp. nov.
- Strain A2931T corresponds to Prevotella oral taxon HMT-820.
Conclusions:
- Prevotella illustrans sp. nov. is proposed as a novel species based on polyphasic data.
- This study addresses a gap in the knowledge of uncharacterized human-associated Prevotella species.
- The findings will aid in the identification and study of this bacterium in clinical microbiology and research.
