Massilia shenzhen sp. nov., isolated from blood of one premature infant, causing sepsis

This study explores a premature infant with respiratory failure and pneumonia, suggestive of neonatal sepsis. Despite initially negative clinical specimens, blood testing revealed a pathogen. MALDI-TOF-MS and physiological tests initially failed to identify it accurately. Subsequent analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, housekeeping genes, and whole genome sequencing placed it in the genus Massilia. Average Nucleotide Identities (ANIs) indicated 88.47 % similarity with the type strain of Massilia norwichensis. Detailed characterization showed it as Gram-negative, aerobic, flagellated, measuring 0.45-0.55 × 1.75-2.40 μm. Major fatty acids included C16:0, C16:1ω7c, C18:1ω7c, and cyclo-C17:0. Minimum inhibitory concentrations to ceftazidime, penicillin, and meropenem were <0.032 μg/mL, ≤0.75 μg/mL, and <0.002 μg/mL respectively. Phylogenetic analysis, fatty acid composition, and physiological parameters confirmed it as Massilia shenzhen sp. nov., with strain GZ0329T. Given limited research on Massilia drug resistance, ceftazidime and imipenem show promise in treating Massilia infections.

Description of Massilia orientalis sp. nov., Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil of Ageratina adenophora

A novel bacteria strain, designated YIM B02787T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Ageratina adenophora, in Yunnan, southwest China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile with one polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 4-45 °C (optimum, 20-30 °C) and pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, 7.0-8.0), and in presence of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on both 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences data revealed that strain YIM B02787T belongs to the genus Massilia, being closely related to Massilia phosphatilytica KCTC 52513T (98.93% similarity), M. putida KCTC 42761T (98.86%), and M. kyonggiensis JCM 19189T (98.78%). The DNA G+C content was 65.9%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the isolate strain and aforementioned closely neighbors were low, at 35.8-48.9 and 88.5-92.5%, respectively. Strain YIM B02787T contained Q-8 as the ubiquinone and major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c, 45.5%) and C16:0 (27.5%). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids, and one unidentified polar lipid. On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YIM B02787Trepresents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia orientalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B02787T (= NBRC 116628T = CGMCC 1.61539T).

Massilia luteola sp. nov., a novel indole-producing and cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, indole-producing, and cellulose-degrading bacterial strain, designated NEAU-G-C5T, was isolated from soil collected from a forest in Dali city, Yunnan province, south China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-G-C5T was assigned to the genus Massilia and showed high sequence similarities to Massilia phosphatilytica 12-OD1T (98.32 %) and Massilia putida 6 NM-7T (98.41 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-G-C5T formed a lineage related to M. phosphatilytica 12-OD1T and M. putida 6 NM-7T. The major fatty acids of the strain were C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c, and C17 : 0 cyclo. The respiratory quinone was Q-8. The polar lipid profile of the strain showed the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, the average nucleotide identity values between strain NEAU-G-C5T and its reference strains M. phosphatilytica 12-OD1T, M. putida 6 NM-7T, M. norwichensis NS9T, and M. kyonggiensis TSA1T were 89.7, 88.2, 81.3, and 88.0 %, respectively, and the levels of digital DNA-DNA hybridization between them were found to be 58.5 % (54.9-62.0 %), 53.2 % (49.8-56.7 %), 31.9 % (28.6-35.5 %), and 57.7 % (54.1-61.2 %), respectively, which were lower than the accepted threshold values of 95-96 % and 70 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain NEAU-G-C5T was 66.5 mol%. The strain could produce indoleacetic acid and cellulase. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we conclude that strain NEAU-G-C5T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia luteola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-G-C5T (=MCCC 1K08668T=KCTC 8080T).

Bosea beijingensis sp. nov., Telluria beijingensis sp. nov. and Agrococcus beijingensis sp. nov., isolated from baijiu mash

The baijiu fermentation environment hosts a variety of micro-organisms, some of which still remain uncultured and uncharacterized. In this study, the isolation, cultivation and characterization of three novel aerobic bacterial strains are described. The cells of strain REN20T were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile and grew at 26-37 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0 and in the presence of 0-5.0   % (w/v) NaCl. The cells of strain REN29T were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile and grew at 15-30 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0 and in the presence of 0-10.0   % (w/v) NaCl. The cells of strain REN33T were Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, motile and grew at 15-37 °C, at pH 5.0-10.0 and in the presence of 0-7.0   % (w/v) NaCl. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity by orthology values between type strains in related genera and REN20T (20.3-36.8 % and 79.8-89.9  %), REN29T (20.3-36.8  % and 74.5-88.5  %) and REN33T (22.6-48.6  % and 75.8-84.2  %) were below the standard cut-off criteria for the delineation of bacterial species, respectively. Based on polyphasic taxonomy analysis, we propose three new species, Bosea beijingensis sp. nov. (=REN20T=GDMCC 1.2894T=JCM 35118T), Telluria beijingensis sp. nov. (=REN29T=GDMCC 1.2896T=JCM 35119T) and Agrococcus beijingensis sp. nov. (=REN33T=GDMCC 1.2898T=JCM 35164T), which were recovered during cultivation and isolation from baijiu mash.

Massilia litorea sp. nov., Marinobacter salinisoli sp. nov. and Rhodobacter xanthinilyticus sp. nov., isolated from coastal environments

Three bacterial strains, namely LPB0304T, LPB0319T and LPB0142T, were isolated from coastal environments. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three isolates were found to show the highest sequence similarities to Massilia litorea (98.44 %), Marinobacter salinisoli (97.55 %) and Rhodobacter lacus (97.60 %), respectively. The low (<98.7 %) sequence similarities and tree topologies implied the novelty of the three isolates, representing novel genomic species of the genus Massilia, Marinobacter and Rhodobacter. Numerous biochemical and physiological features also supported the distinctiveness of the isolates from previously known species. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data presented in this study, three novel species are suggested with the following names: Massilia litorea sp. nov. (LPB0304T=KACC 21523T=ATCC TSD-216T), Marinobacter salinisoli sp. nov. (LPB0319T=KACC 21522T=ATCC TSD-218T) and Rhodobacter xanthinilyticus sp. nov. (LPB0142T=KACC 18892T=JCM 31567T).

Genome-wide and constrained ordination-based analyses of EC code data support reclassification of the species of Massilia La Scola et al. 2000 into Telluria Bowman et al. 1993, Mokoshia gen. nov. and Zemynaea gen. nov

Based on genome-wide data, Massilia species belonging to the clade including Telluria mixta LMG 11547T should be entirely transferred to the genus Telluria owing to the nomenclatural priority of the type species Telluria mixta. This results in the transfer of 35 Massilia species to the genus Telluria. The presented data also supports the creation of two new genera since peripherally branching Massilia species are distinct from Telluria and other related genera. It is proposed that 13 Massilia species are transferred to Mokoshia gen. nov. with the type species designated Mokoshia eurypsychrophila comb. nov. The species Massilia arenosa is proposed to belong to the genus Zemynaea gen. nov. as the type species Zemynaea arenosa comb. nov. The genome-wide analysis was well supported by canonical ordination analysis of Enzyme Commission (EC) codes annotated from genomes via pannzer2. This new approach was performed to assess the conclusions of the genome-based data and reduce possible ambiguity in the taxonomic decision making. Cross-validation of EC code data compared within canonical plots validated the reclassifications and correctly visualized the expected genus-level taxonomic relationships. The approach is complementary to genome-wide methodology and could be used for testing sequence alignment based data across genetically related genera. In addition to the proposed broader reclassifications, invalidly described species 'Massilia antibiotica', 'Massilia aromaticivorans', 'Massilia cellulosiltytica' and 'Massilia humi' are described as Telluria antibiotica sp. nov., Telluria aromaticivorans sp. nov., Telluria cellulosilytica sp. nov. and Pseudoduganella humi sp. nov., respectively. In addition, Telluria chitinolytica is reclassified as Pseudoduganella chitinolytica comb. nov. The use of combined genome-wide and annotation descriptors compared using canonical ordination clarifies the taxonomy of Telluria and its sibling genera and provides another way to evaluate complex taxonomic data.

Dynamic distribution of Massilia spp. in sewage, substrate, plant rhizosphere/phyllosphere and air of constructed wetland ecosystem

Introduction

Massilia bacteria are widely distributed and have various ecological functions. Preliminary studies have shown that Massilia is the dominant species in constructed wetland ecosystems, but its species composition and distribution in constructed wetlands are still unclear.

Methods

In this paper, the in-house-designed primers were used to construct a 16S rDNA clone library of Massilia. The RFLP sequence analysis method was used to analyze the diversity of Massilia clone library and the composition of Massilia in sewage, substrate, plant rhizosphere, plant phyllosphere and air in a constructed wetland sewage treatment system. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to analyze the correlation between environmental factors and the population characteristics of Massilia in the corresponding environment. The dominant species of Massilia were analyzed for differences.

Results

The results showed that the 16S rDNA clone library in primer 5 worked well. According to the clone library diversity index analysis, the richness of Massilia varied significantly in different environments in different seasons, where the overall summer and autumn richness was higher than that in the spring and winter. The relative abundance of 5 Massilia in the constructed wetland ecosystem was greater than 1% in all samples, which were M. alkalitolerans, M. albidiflava, M. aurea, M. brevitalea, and M. timonae. The seasonal variation of dominant genera was significantly correlated with environmental factors in constructed wetlands.

Discussion

The above results indicated that the species of Massilia were abundant and widely distributed in the constructed wetland ecosystem, and there were significant seasonal differences. In addition, the Massilia clone library of constructed wetland was constructed for the first time in this study and the valuable data of Massilia community structure were provided, which was conducive to the further study of microbial community in constructed wetland.

Massilia agrisoli sp. nov., isolated from rhizospheric soil of banana

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile novel bacterial strain, designated MAHUQ-52^T, was isolated from the rhizospheric soil of a banana plant. Colonies grew at 10-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5), and in the presence of 0-1.0 % NaCl (optimum 0 %). The strain was positive for catalase and oxidase tests, as well as hydrolysis of gelatin, casein, starch and Tween 20. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences, strain MAHUQ-52^T clustered together within the genus Massilia. Strain MAHUQ-52^T was closely related to Massilia soli R798^T (98.6 %) and Massilia polaris RP-1-19^T (98.3 %). The novel strain MAHUQ-52^T has a draft genome size of 4 677 454 bp (25 contigs), annotated with 4193 protein-coding genes, 64 tRNA and 19 rRNA genes. The genomic DNA G+C content was 63.0 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain MAHUQ-52^T and closely related type strains were ≤88.4 and 35.8 %, respectively. The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C_15 : 0 iso 2-OH and/or C_16 : 1  ω7c). Strain MAHUQ-52^T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. On the basis of dDDH and ANI values, as well as genotypic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAHUQ-52^T represents a novel species within the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia agrisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with MAHUQ-52^T (=KACC 21999^T=CGMCC 1.18577^T) as the type strain.

Comparison of Atmospheric and Lithospheric Culturable Bacterial Communities from Two Dissimilar Active Volcanic Sites, Surtsey Island and Fimmvörðuháls Mountain in Iceland

Surface microbes are aerosolized into the atmosphere by wind and events such as dust storms and volcanic eruptions. Before they reach their deposition site, they experience stressful atmospheric conditions which preclude the successful dispersal of a large fraction of cells. In this study, our objectives were to assess and compare the atmospheric and lithospheric bacterial cultivable diversity of two geographically different Icelandic volcanic sites: the island Surtsey and the Fimmvörðuháls mountain, to predict the origin of the culturable microbes from these sites, and to select airborne candidates for further investigation. Using a combination of MALDI Biotyper analysis and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, a total of 1162 strains were identified, belonging to 72 species affiliated to 40 genera with potentially 26 new species. The most prevalent phyla identified were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between atmospheric and lithospheric microbial communities, with distinct communities in Surtsey’s air. By combining the air mass back trajectories and the analysis of the closest representative species of our isolates, we concluded that 85% of our isolates came from the surrounding environments and only 15% from long distances. The taxonomic proportions of the isolates were reflected by the site’s nature and location.

Massilia puerhi sp. nov., isolated from soil of Pu-erh tea cellar

A Gram-reaction-negative, yellow-pigmented, non-spore-forming rod, aerobic, motile bacterium, designated SJY3^T, was isolated from soil samples collected from a Pu-erh tea cellar in Bolian Pu-erh tea estate Co. Ltd. in Pu'er city, Yunnan, south-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Massilia. The closest phylogenetic relative was Massilia arenae CICC 24458^T (99.5 %), followed by M. timonae CCUG45783^T (97.9 %), M. oculi CCUG43427A^T (97.8 %), and M. aurea DSM 18055^T (97.8 %). The major fatty acids were C_16 : 0 and C_16 : 1  ω7c and/or C_16 : 1  ω6c. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8 and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 5.97 M bp and a G+C content of 65.4 mol%. Pairwise determined whole genome average nucleotide identity (gANI) values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were all below the threshold. Although the 16S rRNA gene similarity of stain SJY3^T and Massilia arenae CICC 24458^T was more than 99 %, the gANI, dDDH values and genomic tree clearly indicated that they were not of the same species. In summary, strain SJY3^T represents a new species, for which we propose the name Massilia puerhi sp. nov. with the type strain SJY3^T (=CGMCC 1.17158^T=KCTC 82193^T).

Massilia cellulosiltytica sp. nov., a novel cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its whole genome analysis

A bacterial strain, Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, aerobic and cellulose-degrading, designated NEAU-DD11^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of rice collected from Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, North-east China. Base on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain NEAU-DD11^T belongs to the genus Massilia and shared high sequence similarities with Massilia phosphatilytica 12-OD1^T (98.46%) and Massilia putida 6NM-7 ^T (98.41%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences indicated that strain NEAU-DD11^T formed lineage related to M. phosphatilytica 12-OD1^T and M. putida 6NM-7 ^T. The major fatty acids of the strain were C_16:0, C_17:0-cyclo and C_16:1ω7c. The respiratory quinone was Q-8. The polar lipids profile of the strain showed the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified polar lipid and an unidentified phospholipid. In addition, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NEAU-DD11^T and M. phosphatilytica 12-OD1^T and M. putida 6NM-7 ^T were 45.4 and 35.6%, respectively, which are lower than the accepted threshold value of 70%. The DNA G + C content of strain NEAU-DD11^T was 66.2%. The whole genome analysis showed the strain contained carbohydrate enzymes such as glycoside hydrolase and polysaccharide lyase, which enabled the strain to have the function of degrading cellulose. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we conclude that strain NEAU-DD11^T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia cellulosiltytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-DD11^T (= CCTCC AB 2019141 ^T = DSM 109721 ^T).

Cold-shock gene cspC in the genome of Massilia polaris sp. nov. revealed cold-adaptation

A straw coloured, motile and Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated RP-1-19^T was isolated from soil of Arctic station, Svalbard, Norway. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain RP-1-19^T formed a lineage within the family Oxalobacteraceae and clustered together within the genus Massilia. The closest members were M. violaceinigra B2^T (98.6% sequence similarity), M. eurypsychrophilia JCM 30074^T (98.3%) and M. atriviolacea SOD^T (98.1%). The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The principal cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1ω7c) and C_16:0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G + C content of the type strain was 63.2%. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain RP-1-19^T and closest members were ≤ 80 and 23.2%, respectively. The genome was 4,522,469 bp long with 30 scaffolds and 4076 protein-coding genes. The genome showed eight putative biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for various secondary metabolites. Genome analysis revealed the presence of cold-shock proteins CspA and CspC. Presence of cspA and cspC genes in the genome manifest ecophysiology of strain RP-1-19^T that may help in cold-adaptation. Based on these data, strain RP-1-19^T represents a novel species in the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia polaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RP-1-19^T (= KACC 21619^T = NBRC 114359^T).

Genome insight and description of antibiotic producing Massilia antibiotica sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated soil

An ivory-coloured, motile, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated TW-1^T was isolated from oil-contaminated experimental soil in Kyonggi University. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed, strain TW-1^T formed a lineage within the family Oxalobacteraceae and clustered as members of the genus Massilia. The closest members were M. pinisoli T33^T (98.8% sequence similarity), M. putida 6NM-7^T (98.6%), M. arvi THG-RS2O^T (98.5%), M. phosphatilytica 12-OD1^T (98.3%) and M. niastensis 5516S-1^T (98.2%). The sole respiratory quinone is ubiquinone-8. The major cellular fatty acids are hexadeconic acid, cis-9, methylenehexadeconic acid, summed feature 3 and summed feature 8. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G + C content of the type strain is 66.3%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) relatedness values between strain TW-1^T and closest members were below the threshold value for species demarcation. The genome size is 7,051,197 bp along with 46 contigs and 5,977 protein-coding genes. The genome showed 5 putative biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that are responsible for different secondary metabolites. Cluster 2 showed thiopeptide BGC with no known cluster blast, indicating TW-1^T might produce novel antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial assessment also showed that strain TW-1^T possessed inhibitory activity against Gram-negative pathogens (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This is the first report of the species in the genus Massilia which produces antimicrobial compounds. Based on the polyphasic study, strain TW-1^T represents novel species in the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia antibiotica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TW-1^T (= KACC 21627^T = NBRC 114363^T).

Massilia aquatica sp. nov., Isolated from a Subtropical Stream in China

A Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped and motile strain FT127W^T was isolated from a subtropical stream in China. Comparison based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain FT127W^T belongs to genus Massilia and shares 98.5% similarity with Massilia buxea A9^T as its closest neighbor. The genome size of strain FT127W^T was 6.65 Mbp with G + C content of 65.3%. The calculated pairwise OrthoANIu values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain FT127W^T and each of strains M. buxea KCTC 52429^T, Massilia armeniaca ZMN-3^T, Massilia plicata DSM 17505^T and Massilia namucuonensis CGMCC 1.11014^T were less than 83.1% and 26.6%, respectively. The reconstructed phylogenomic tree based on concatenated 92 core genes showed that strain FT127W^T clusters closely with M. namucuonensis CGMCC 1.11014^T. The respiratory quinone of strain FT127W^T was Q-8. The major fatty acids were C_16:1 ω7c, C_16:0 and C_12:0. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified phospholipid. Combining above all characteristics, strain FT127W^T should represent a novel species within genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia aquatica sp. nov. (type strain FT127W^T = GDMCC 1.1690^T = KACC 21482^T) is proposed.

Abundance and survival of microbial aerosols in the troposphere and stratosphere

Bioaerosol transport in the atmosphere disperses microbial species between continents, affects human and plant health, and may influence hydrologic cycling. However, there have been few quantitative observations of bioaerosols at altitudes more than a few kilometers above the surface. Lack of data on bioaerosol distributions in the atmosphere has impeded efforts to assess the aerial dissemination of microbes and their vertical extent in the biosphere. In this study, a helium balloon payload system was used to sample microbial cells and dust particles in air masses as high as 38 km above sea level over three locations in the southwestern United States. The cell concentrations at altitudes between 3 and 29 km were highly similar (2-5 × 10⁵ cells m^-3) and approximately threefold lower than those observed in the convective boundary layer (CBL; 1 × 10⁶ cells m^-3), decreasing to 8 × 10⁴ cells m^-3 at 35-38 km. The detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and recovery of bacteria possessing extreme tolerance to desiccation and shortwave ultraviolet radiation confirmed that certain microorganisms have the capacity to persist at lower altitudes of the stratosphere. Our data and related calculations provide constraints on the upper altitudinal boundary for microbial habitability in the biosphere.

Massilia atriviolacea sp. nov., a dark purple-pigmented bacterium isolated from soil

A bacterial strain, designated SOD^T, with Gram-stain-negative and motile rod-shaped cells, was isolated from soil in Hefei, PR China, and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SOD^T belonged to the genus Massilia and showed the highest similarities to Massilia violaceinigra B2^T (99.3 %), followed by Massilia glaciei B448-2^T (98.7 %), Massilia eurypsychrophila CGMCC 1.12828^T (98.6 %) and Rugamonas rubra CCM3730^T (97.8 %). Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between genome sequences of strain SOD^T and the closely related species ranged from 77.1 to 89.3% and from 22.2 to 34.7 %. The DNA G+C content of strain SOD^T was 65.4 mol%. Strain SOD^T contained Q-8 as the major ubiquinone and the dominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C15 : 0iso 2-OH; 58.5 %), C16 : 0 (26.8 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (5.0 %). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain SOD^T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massiliaatriviolacea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SOD^T (=KCTC 62720^T=LMG 30840^T).

Massilia neuiana sp. nov., isolated from wet soil

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, strain PTW21^T, was isolated from wet soil. 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis of strain PTW21^T revealed an affiliation to the genus Massilia and it shared 98.5 and 98.1 % similarity with Massilianiastensis 5516 S-1^T and Massilia tieshanensis TS3^T, respectively. Growth occurred at 10-45 °C, pH 4.5-12.5 and NaCl concentrations up to 2 % (w/v). The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and C16 : 0. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain PTW21^T was 64.6 mol%. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization revealed that strain PTW21^T showed 37.4 % relatedness with Massilia niastensis 5516 S-1^T and 40.0 % with M. tieshanensis TS3^T. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic differences, strain PTW21^T (=CICC 24113^T=BCRC 81061^T) is proposed as the type strain of novel species of the genus Massilia with the names Massilia neuiana sp. nov.

Massilia buxea sp. nov., isolated from a rock surface

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile bacterial strain, designated A9^T, was isolated from the surface of rock collected from the shore of Nvshan lake in Mingguang, Anhui province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence data showed that strain A9^T was affiliated with the genus Massilia and showed the highest sequence similarities to Massilia plicata KCTC 12344^T (98.8 %) and Massilia lurida CGMCC 1.10822^T (97.9 %). The major fatty acids (>5 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C15 : 0 iso 2-OH), C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. Strain A9^T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospholipid as the predominant polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 69.9 mol%. Mean DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain A9^T and its closest phylogenetic relatives, M. plicata KCTC 12344^T and M. lurida CGMCC 1.10822^T, were 38.8 % and 23.23 %, respectively. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, strain A9^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia buxea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A9^T (=DSM 103547^T=CGMCC 1.15931^T=KCTC 52429^T).

Massilia phosphatilytica sp. nov., a phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from a long-term fertilized soil

A Gram-stain-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain, 12-OD1T, with rock phosphate solubilizing ability was isolated from agricultural soil in Hailun, Heilongjiang, PR China. The isolate was affiliated to the genus Massilia, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence alignments, having the highest similarities with Massilia putida6 NM-7T (98.67 %), Massilia kyonggiensis TSA1T (98.28 %), and Massilia norwichensis NS9T (98.07 %), respectively. The DNA G+C content was 67.72 mol% and DNA-DNA hybridization showed low relatedness values (less than 47 %) between strain 12-OD1T and other phylogenetically related species of the genus Massilia. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and the polar lipid profile comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were C17 : 0 cyclo (25.4 %), C16 : 0 (23.4 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) (22.5 %), which differentiates it from close relatives within the genus Massilia. Combined genetic, physiological and biochemical properties indicate that strain 12-OD1T is a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia phosphatilytica sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain 12-OD1T (=CCTCC AB 2016251T=LMG 29956T=KCTC 52513T).

Massilia glaciei sp. nov., isolated from the Muztagh Glacier

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, bacterial strain, B448-2^T, was isolated from an ice core from the Muztagh Glacier, on the Tibetan Plateau. B448-2^T grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 20 °C in the presence of 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis indicated that B448-2^T was closely related to Massilia eurypsychrophila CGMCC 1.12828^T, Rugamonas rubra CCM3730^T and Duganella zoogloeoides JCM20729^T at levels of 97.8, 97.7  and 97.3 %, respectively. The predominant fatty acids of B448-2^T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain was 66.1 mol%. In DNA-DNA hybridization tests, B448-2^T shared 37.6 % DNA-DNA relatedness with Massilia eurypsychrophila CGMCC 1.12828^T. On the basis of the results for phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, B448-2^T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massiliaglaciei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B448-2^T (=JCM 30271^T=CGMCC 1.12920^T).

Massilia agri sp. nov., isolated from reclaimed grassland soil

A light yellow-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain K-3-1T, was isolated from reclaimed grassland soils of Belbari, Morang, Nepal. It was able to grow at 4-45 °C, at pH 5.0-10.0, and at 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl concentrations. This strain was taxonomically characterized by a polyphasic approach. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain K-3-1T belongs to the genus Massilia and is closely related to Massilia consociata CCUG 58010T (98.3 % sequence similarity), Massilia tieshanensis TS3T (98.1 % sequence similarity), Massilia kyonggiensis TSA1T (98.1 % sequence similarity), Massilia yuzhufengensisY1243-1T (98.1 % sequence similarity), Massilia haematophila CCUG 38318T (98.0 % sequence similarity), Massilia varians CCUG 35299T (97.9 % sequence similarity), Massilia niastensis 5516 S-1T (97.6 % sequence similarity) and Massilia alkalitolerans YIM 31775T (97.5 % sequence similarity). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The polar lipid profile revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant fatty acids of strain K-3-1T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C12 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The genomic DNA G+C content of this novel strain was 66.8 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain K-3-1T and its closest reference strains were significantly lower than the threshold value of 70 %. The morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguished this strain from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Thus, strain K-3-1T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K-3-1T (=KEMB 9005-446T=KACC 19000T=JCM 31661T).

Massilia varians Isolated from a Clinical Specimen

We report a case of Massilia varians isolated from a deep finger wound following orthopedic surgery on an immunocompetent patient. The bacterium was identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. This is the first case of M. varians isolated from a clinical specimen since the first report in 2008.

Massilia psychrophila sp. nov., isolated from an ice core

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, strain B1555-1T, was isolated from an ice core drilled from Ulugh Muztagh Glacier, China. The optimum growth temperature of strain B1555-1T was 15 °C and optimum pH was 7. The major fatty acids of strain B1555-1T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain B1555-1T was 66.0 mol%. In 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain B1555-1T was affiliated to the genus Massilia and shared 98.30 and 97.13 % similarity with Massilia eurypsychrophila B528-3T and Massilia niabensis 5420S-26T, respectively. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization revealed that strain B1555-1T showed 49.8 % relatedness with M. eurypsychrophila B528-3T and 38.5 % with M. niabensis 5420S-26T. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic evidence presented in this study, strain B1555-1T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia psychrophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1555-1T (=CGMCC 1.15196T=JCM 30813T).

Efficient biodegradation of phenanthrene by a novel strain Massilia sp. WF1 isolated from a PAH-contaminated soil

A novel phenanthrene (PHE)-degrading strain Massilia sp. WF1, isolated from PAH-contaminated soil, was capable of degrading PHE by using it as the sole carbon source and energy in a range of pH (5.0-8.0), temperatures (20-35 °C), and PHE concentrations (25-400 mg L(-1)). Massilia sp. WF1 exhibited highly effective PHE-degrading ability that completely degraded 100 mg L(-1) of PHE over 2 days at optimal conditions (pH 6.0, 28 °C). The kinetics of PHE biodegradation by Massilia sp. WF1 was well represented by the Gompertz model. Results indicated that PHE biodegradation was inhibited by the supplied lactic acid but was promoted by the supplied carbon sources of glucose, citric acid, and succinic acid. Salicylic acid (SALA) and phthalic acid (PHTA) were not utilized by Massilia sp. WF1 and had no obvious effect on PHE biodegradation. Only two metabolites, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (1H2N) and PHTA, were identified in PHE biodegradation process. Quantitatively, nearly 27.7 % of PHE was converted to 1H2N and 30.3 % of 1H2N was further metabolized to PHTA. However, the PHTA pathway was broken and the SALA pathway was ruled out in PHE biodegradation process by Massilia sp. WF1.

Massilia arvi sp. nov., isolated from fallow-land soil previously cultivated with Brassica oleracea, and emended description of the genus Massilia

A novel bacterial strain, designated THG-RS2OT, was isolated from fallow-land soil previously cultivated with Brassica oleracea in Yongin, South Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile rods, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain THG-RS2OT grew optimally at 25–37 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that strain THG-RS2OT shows highest sequence similarity with Massilia kyonggiensis KACC 17471T followed by Massilia aerilata KACC 12505T, Massilia niastensis KACC 12599T, Massilia tieshanensis KACC 14940T and Massilia haematophila KCTC 32001T. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain THG-RS2OT and the closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 55.0 % and the DNA G+C content of strain THG-RS2OT was 63.2 mol%. Major fatty acids were C16 : 0, cyclo-C17 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquonone-8 and predominant polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Characterization by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, ubiquinone, polar lipid, fatty acid composition, and physiological and biochemical parameters revealed that strain THG-RS2OT represents a novel species of the genus Massilia. Hence, the present study describes a novel species for which the name Massilia arvi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-RS2OT ( = KCTC 42609T = CCTCC AB 2015115T).

Massilia putida sp. nov., a dimethyl disulfide-producing bacterium isolated from wolfram mine tailing

A heavy metal-resistant and dimethyl disulfide-producing bacterial strain, designated 6NM-7T, was isolated from wolfram mine tailing, Dayu County, Jiangxi Province, PR China. Strain 6NM-7T was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain 6NM-7T was affiliated with the genus Massilia and was closely related to Massilia norwichensis LMG 28164T (98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Massilia kyonggiensis KACC 17471T (98.4 %), Massilia niastensis KACC 12599T (97.8 %), Massilia tieshanensis KACC 14940T (97.3 %), Massilia haematophila KACC 13771T (97.2 %), Massilia namucuonensis CGMCC 1.11014T (97.1 %) and Massilia aerilata KACC 12505T (97.1 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain 6NM-7T and its closely related type strains were all below 70 %. The major respiratory quinone was unbiquinone 8 (Q-8) and the major cellular fatty acids consisted of C16 : 0 (33.2 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH; 21.8 %), C17 : 0 cyclo (20.8 %), C18 : 1ω7c (7.4 %) and C10 : 0 3-OH (5.8 %). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 6NM-7T was 66.8 ± 0.6 mol%. On the basis of the results of this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain 6NM-7T should be assigned to a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia putida sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6NM-7T ( = DSM 27523T = KCTC 42761T).

Massilia eurypsychrophila sp. nov. a facultatively psychrophilic bacteria isolated from ice core

Strain B528-3T, a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, facultatively psychrophilic bacterium with polar flagella, was isolated from an ice core drilled from Muztagh Glacier, Xinjiang, China. The novel isolate was classified into the genus Massilia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the novel isolate shares a pairwise similarity of less than 97 % with those of all the type strains of the genus Massilia. The major fatty acids of strain B528-3T were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH) (57.31 %), C16:0 (11.46 %) and C18:1ω7c (14.72 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol% (T m). The major polar lipids of this bacterium were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. From the genotypic and phenotypic data, it is evident that strain B528-3T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia eurypsychrophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B528-3T ( = JCM 30074T = CGMCC 1.12828T).

Massilia norwichensis sp. nov., isolated from an air sample

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped and motile bacterial isolate, designated strain NS9(T), isolated from air of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich, UK, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study including phylogenetic analyses based on partial 16S rRNA, gyrB and lepA gene sequences and phenotypic characterization. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of NS9(T) identified Massilia haematophila CCUG 38318(T), M. niastensis 5516S-1(T) (both 97.7% similarity), M. aerilata 5516S-11(T) (97.4%) and M. tieshanensis TS3(T) (97.4%) as the next closest relatives. In partial gyrB and lepA sequences, NS9(T) shared the highest similarities with M. haematophila CCUG 38318(T) (94.5%) and M. aerilata 5516-11(T) (94.3%), respectively. These sequence data demonstrate the affiliation of NS9(T) to the genus Massilia. The detection of the predominant ubiquinone Q-8, a polar lipid profile consisting of the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and a polyamine pattern containing 2-hydroxyputrescine and putrescine were in agreement with the assignment of strain NS9(T) to the genus Massilia. Major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16:0, C18: 1ω7c and C10:0 3-OH. Dissimilarities in partial lepA and gyrB gene sequences as well as results from DNA-DNA hybridizations demonstrate that strain NS9(T) is a representative of an as-yet undescribed species of the genus Massilia that is also distinguished from its close relatives based on physiological and biochemical traits. Hence, we describe a novel species, for which we propose the name Massilia norwichensis sp. nov., with the type strain NS9(T) ( = CCUG 65457(T) =LMG 28164(T)).

Massilia umbonata sp. nov., able to accumulate poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, isolated from a sewage sludge compost-soil microcosm

A bacterial strain, designated strain LP01(T), was isolated from a laboratory-scale microcosm packed with a mixture of soil and sewage sludge compost designed to study the evolution of microbial biodiversity over time. The bacterial strain was selected for its potential ability to store polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as intracellular granules. The cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore-forming motile rods. Phylogenetically, the strain was classified within the genus Massilia, as its 16S rRNA gene sequence had similarity of 99.2 % with respect to those of Massilia albidiflava DSM 17472(T) and M. lutea DSM 17473(T). DNA-DNA hybridization showed low relatedness of strain LP01(T) to the type strains of other, phylogenetically related species of the genus Massilia. It contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major fatty acid(s). It was found to contain small amounts of the fatty acids C18 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH, a feature that served to distinguish it from its closest phylogenetic relatives within the genus Massilia. The DNA G+C content was 66.0 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data obtained in this study suggest that strain LP01(T) represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia umbonata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LP01(T) ( = CECT 7753(T) = DSM 26121(T)).

Massilia lurida sp. nov., isolated from soil

A bacterial isolate, designated strain D5T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic approach. Strain D5T was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile. Strain D5T fell within the evolutionary radius of the genus Massilia in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and was most closely related to Massilia plicata 76T with 97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The predominant quinone of strain D5T was Q-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and C16 : 0. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain D5T to the genus Massilia . The genomic DNA G+C content was 65.9 mol%. Mean DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain D5T and the phylogenetically most closely related species of the genus Massilia , Massilia plicata KCTC 12344T and Massilia dura KCTC 12342T, were 26 and 21 %, respectively. Strain D5T could be differentiated from recognized species of the genus Massilia by several phenotypic characteristics. It is clear from the data presented that strain D5T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia , for which the name Massilia lurida sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D5T ( = CGMCC 1.10822T = KCTC 23880T).

Massilia yuzhufengensis sp. nov., isolated from an ice core

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, motile bacterium, strain Y1243-1T, was isolated from an ice core drilled from Yuzhufeng Glacier, Tibetan Plateau, China. Cells had polar flagella. The novel strain shared 94.7–97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of species of the genus Massilia . The novel isolate is thus classified in the genus Massilia . The major fatty acids of strain Y1243-1T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) (43.98 %), C16 : 0 (27.86 %), C10 : 0 3-OH (7.10 %), C18 : 0 (6.95 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (5.01 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content of strain Y1243-1T was 65.7 mol% (T m). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished the novel isolate from the type strains of recognized Massilia species. Furthermore, in DNA–DNA hybridization tests, strain Y1243-1T shared 45 % relatedness with its closest phylogenetic relative, Massilia consociata CCUG 58010T. From the genotypic and phenotypic data, it is evident that strain Y1243-1T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia , for which the name Massilia yuzhufengensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y1243-1T ( = KACC 16569T = CGMCC 1.12041T).

Massilia sp. isolated from otitis media

Common bacterial pathogens of otitis media include Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and Group A streptococci. We recently isolated a gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium from a patient with otitis media following tympanocentesis. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies of effusion identified this strain (CCUG 43427AT) as Massilia sp. (99.7%). Massilia spp. have been isolated from soil, air, and immunocompromised patients. However, there are no reports of their isolation from cases of otitis media. This case report highlights a rare and novel bacterial organism of otitis media.

Massilia tieshanensis sp. nov., isolated from mining soil

A bacterial isolate, designated strain TS3T, was isolated from soil collected from a metal mine in Tieshan District, Daye City, Hubei Province, in central China. Cells of this strain were Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped. The strain had ubiquinone Q-8 as the predominant respiratory quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The G+C content was 65.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TS3T was most closely related to Massilia niastensis 5516S-1T (98.5 %), Massilia consociata CCUG 58010T (97.6 %), Massilia aerilata 5516S-11T (97.4 %) and Massilia varians CCUG 35299T (97.2 %). DNA–DNA hybridization revealed low relatedness between strain TS3T and M. niastensis KACC 12599T (36.5 %), M. consociata CCUG 58010T (27.1 %), M. aerilata KACC 12505T (22.7 %) and M. varians CCUG 35299T (46.5 %). On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain TS3T belongs to the genus Massilia , but is clearly differentiated from other members of the genus. The strain represents a novel species, for which the name Massilia tieshanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS3T ( = CCTCC AB 2010202T  = KACC 14940T).

Massilia namucuonensis sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample

A Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain 333-1-0411(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Namucuo, Tibet Autonomous Region, China and characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The major fatty acid components of strain 333-1-0411(T) were summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or C(16 : 1)ω6c) and C(16 : 0); its major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Q-8 was the dominant ubiquinone, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 333-1-0411(T) fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Massilia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain 333-1-0411(T) and recognized species of the genus Massilia ranged from 95.4 % to 97.2 %, and the most closely related strains were Massilia flava Y9(T) (97.2 %) and Massilia albidiflava 45(T) (97.0 %). However, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain 333-1-0411(T) and M. flava Y9(T) and M. albidiflava 45(T) were 20.2 % and 27.2 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain 333-1-0411(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia namucuonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 333-1-0411(T) (= CGMCC 1.11014(T) = DSM 25159(T)).

Massilia flava sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Y9T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Ningxia Province in China and was characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Strain Y9T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone. Major fatty acid components were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Y9T was 68.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Massilia. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain Y9T and the type strains of recognized Massilia species ranged from 95.2 to 98.2 %, the highest values being with Massilia albidiflava 45T (98.2 %) and Massilia lutea 101T (98.0 %). However, levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain Y9T and M. albidiflava KCTC 12343T and M. lutea KCTC 12345T were 37 and 26 %, respectively. Strain Y9T was clearly differentiated from its nearest phylogenetic relatives in the genus Massilia based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties. Therefore, strain Y9T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y9T ( = CGMCC 1.10685T  = KCTC 23585T).

Massilia oculi sp. nov., isolated from a human clinical specimen

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain CCUG 43427AT) was isolated from a patient suffering from endophthalmitis and its taxonomic position was studied. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this strain was a member of the genus Massilia. Strain CCUG 43427AT was most closely related to the type strains of Massilia timonae (97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Massilia aurea (97.2 %); levels of similarity to the type strains of all other recognized Massilia species were below 97.0 %. Chemotaxonomic data [Q-8 as major ubiquinone; phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids; and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c, C12 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids] supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Massilia. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness of strain CCUG 43427AT with M. timonae CCUG 45783T and M. aurea AP13T were 60.6 % (reciprocal, 55.8 %) and 58.1 % (reciprocal, 34.0 %), respectively. Strain CCUG 43427AT could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic neighbours based on a range of phenotypic characteristics. Strain CCUG 43427AT is therefore considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia oculi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCUG 43427AT ( = CCM 7900T).

Massilia timonae infection presenting as generalized lymphadenopathy in a man returning to Belgium from Nigeria

We report a case of apparent malaria infection presented with a syndrome of painless, generalized lymphadenopathy without granulomas shortly after exposure to fresh water in rural West Africa. Residual infection with Massilia timonae was diagnosed and successfully treated with co-trimoxazole.

Revision of the genus Massilia La Scola et al. 2000, with an emended description of the genus and inclusion of all species of the genus Naxibacter as new combinations, and proposal of Massilia consociata sp. nov

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium originating from a human clinical specimen was studied for its taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies clearly allocated this strain (CCUG 58010(T)) to the class Betaproteobacteria, closely related to members of the genera Massilia and Naxibacter. Naxibacter varians was shown to be the most closely related species on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.5 %), followed by Massilia niastensis (96.8 %) and Massilia aerilata (96.4 %). Similarities to all other species of the genera Naxibacter and Massilia were in the range 93.9-96.2 %. Chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone: Q-8; major polar lipids: phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; and major fatty acids: summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH), C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)ω7c and C(12 : 0), with C(10 : 0) 3-OH as hydroxylated fatty acid) supported the affiliation of the isolate to these genera, which share these chemotaxonomic traits. DNA-DNA hybridization of strain CCUG 58010(T) with the type strain of N. varians CCUG 35299(T) resulted in a relatedness value of 39.2 % (reciprocal, 50 %) and physiological and biochemical tests also allowed phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from the most closely related species. There is currently no justification for a division of the genera Massilia and Naxibacter and for this reason a proposal is made to transfer all species of the genus Naxibacter to the genus Massilia, as Massilia alkalitolerans comb. nov., Massilia varians comb. nov., Massilia haematophila comb. nov. and Massilia suwonensis comb. nov. Strain CCUG 58010(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Massilia consociata sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain CCUG 58010(T) ( = CCM 7792(T)).