Brachybacterium muris sp. nov., isolated from the liver of a laboratory mouse strain

Brachybacterium muris Detected in a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient with Pleural Effusion: A Case Report

Background

Brachybacterium muris is a species of Gram positive and strictly aerobic bacterium. It was first reported in 2003 after being isolated from the liver of a laboratory mouse strain. It was also found on human skin and nasal cavity. Herein, we present the first case pleural effusion infection in humans caused by Brachybacterium muris.

Case Presentation

A 65-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a 4-week history of fever, accompanied by chills, occasional abdominal pain, occasional chest tightness and shortness of breath. On the day of hospitalization, thoracentesis was performed and 1000mL of yellow cloudy fluid was released. Result of pleural fluid culture was positive and B. muris was identified using 16S rDNA amplification and sequence comparisons.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of pleural effusion infection caused by B. muris. B. muris can be pathogenic in humans.

Biodegradation of p-nitrophenol by a member of the genus Brachybacterium, isolated from the river Ganges

A p-nitrophenol (PNP) degrading halotolerant, Gram-variable bacterial strain designated as DNPG3, was isolated from a water sample collected from the river Ganges in Hooghly, West Bengal (WB), India, by enrichment culture technique. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis (carried out at EzTaxon server and Ribosomal data base project site), the strain DNPG3 was identified as Brachybacterium sp., with B. zhongshanense strain JBT (97.08% identity) as it is nearest phylogenetic relative. The strain could tolerate up to 3 mM of PNP, while the optimal growth for the strain was recorded as 0.25 mM. The strain could carry out biodegradation of PNP with concomitant release of nitrite and p-benzoquinone (PBQ) was detected as a hydrolysis product. Under the catabolic condition, it could carry out 36% biodegradation of PNP within 144 h, while, under co-metabolic condition (with glucose), 100% biodegradation was achieved within 48 h at 30 °C. Calcium alginate bead-based cell immobilization studies (of the strain DNPG3) indicated complete biodegradation of PNP (under catabolic condition) within 26 h. This is the first report of PNP biodegradation by any representative strain of the genus Brachybacterium. The study definitely indicated that Brachybacterium sp. strain DNPG3 has biotechnological potential and the strain may be a suitable candidate for developing clean, green, eco-friendly, cost-effective bioremediation processes towards effective removal of PNP from the contaminated sites.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03263-7.

Brachybacterium epidermidis Sp. Nov., a Novel Bacterial Species Isolated from the Back of the Right Hand, in a 67-Year-Old Healthy Woman

Knowledge on human skin microbiota composition has been expanding in recent years. Its role in human health and disease represents an active area of investigation. As part of our culturomics project that consists of exploring the human microbiota by isolating bacteria through innovative culture-dependent methods, we isolated a new bacterial strain from the back of the right hand, in a 67-year-old healthy woman. Here, we characterize the strain Marseille-Q2903 by the taxonogenomic approach. Marseille-Q2903 exhibits a 99.5% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with Brachybacterium muris^T but with only 92% of coverage. The closest species based on a 100% coverage of the 16S sequence is Brachybacterium timonense^T with an identity similarity of 97.63%. Furthermore, digital DNA-DNA hybridization reveals a maximum identity similarity of only 31.5% and an OrthoANI parameter provided a value of 86.95% between Marseille-Q2903 and Brachybacterium muris^T. Marseille-Q2903 is a yellowish-pigmented, Gram-positive, coccoid shaped, and facultative aerobic bacterium, and belonging to the Dermabacteraceae family. The major fatty acids detected are 12-methyl-tetradecanoic acid (69%), 14-methyl-hexadecanoic acid (16%), and 14-methyl-pentadecanoic acid (7%). Marseille-Q2903 genome size is of 3,073,790 bp, with a 70.43% G + C content. Taken altogether, these results confirm the status of this strain as a new member of the Brachybacterium genus for which the name of Brachybacterium epidermidis sp. strain Marseille-Q2903^T is proposed (=CSURQ2903^T = CECT30363).

Brachybacterium subflavum sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from the foregut of grass carp

A novel actinobacterium, designated CFH 10395^T, was isolated from the foregut of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), which had been fed with ginseng extract supplement. The taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Cells of CFH 10395^T were Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, ovoid-shaped, non-spore-forming and non-motile. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, CFH 10395^T was most closely related to Brachybacterium endophyticum KCTC 49087^T, Brachybacterium squillarum JCM 16464^T and Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum JCM 17781^T (97.85%, 97.51 and 97.29% similarity, respectively). CFH 10395^T grew at 4-37 °C, pH 5.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 10.0 % NaCl (w/v). The dominant menaquinone was MK-7. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, glucose, mannose and galactose. meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15 : 0, anteiso-C_17 : 0 and iso-C_16 : 0. The genome size was 3.99 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 71.9 mol%. On the basis of the results of phylogenetic analysis, physiological properties, chemotaxonomic characteristics, low average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DDH (dDDH) results [ANI calculated using MUMmer (ANIm) <87 %, ANI calculated using blast (ANIb) <83 % and dDDH <23 %], it is concluded that CFH 10395^T represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium subflavum sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is CFH 10395^T (=CGMCC 1.13804^T=KCTC 49235^T).

Microbial Communities of Meat and Meat Products: An Exploratory Analysis of the Product Quality and Safety at Selected Enterprises in South Africa

Consumption of food that is contaminated by microorganisms, chemicals, and toxins may lead to significant morbidity and mortality, which has negative socioeconomic and public health implications. Monitoring and surveillance of microbial diversity along the food value chain is a key component for hazard identification and evaluation of potential pathogen risks from farm to the consumer. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial diversity in meat and meat products from different enterprises and meat types in South Africa. Samples (n = 2017) were analyzed for Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella species, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium botulinum using culture-based methods. PCR was used for confirmation of selected pathogens. Of the 2017 samples analyzed, microbial ecology was assessed for selected subsamples where next generation sequencing had been conducted, followed by the application of computational methods to reconstruct individual genomes from the respective sample (metagenomics). With the exception of Clostridium botulinum, selective culture-dependent methods revealed that samples were contaminated with at least one of the tested foodborne pathogens. The data from metagenomics analysis revealed the presence of diverse bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The analyses provide evidence of diverse and highly variable microbial communities in products of animal origin, which is important for food safety, food labeling, biosecurity, and shelf life limiting spoilage by microorganisms.

Phenotypic and Genomic Properties of Brachybacterium vulturis sp. nov. and Brachybacterium avium sp. nov

Two strains, VM2412^T and VR2415^T, were isolated from the feces of an Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) living in Seoul Grand Park, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Cells of both strains were observed to be Gram-stain positive, non-motile, aerobic, catalase positive and oxidase negative. Growth was found to occur at 10-30°C, showing optimum growth at 30°C. The strains could tolerate up to 15% (w/v) NaCl concentration and grow at pH 6-9. The strains shared 99.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other but were identified as two distinct species based on 89.0-89.2% ANIb, 90.3% ANIm, 89.7% OrthoANI and 38.0% dDDH values calculated using whole genome sequences. Among species with validly published names, Brachybacterium ginsengisoli DCY80^T shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with strains VM2412^T (98.7%) and VR2415^T (98.4%) and close genetic relatedness with strains VM2412^T (83.3–83.5% ANIb, 87.0% ANIm, 84.3% OrthoANI and 27.8% dDDH) and VR2415^T (82.8–83.2% ANIb, 86.7% ANIm, 83.9% OrthoANI and 27.2% dDDH). The major fatty acid of the two strains was identified as anteiso-C_15:0 and the polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, presumptively phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified glycolipids. Strain VR2415^T also produced an unidentified phospholipid. The cell walls of the two strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diamino acid and the whole cell sugars were ribose, glucose, and galactose. The strains contained MK-7 as their predominant menaquinone. The genomes of strains VM2412^T, VR2415^T, and B. ginsengisoli DCY80^T were sequenced in this study. The genomic G+C contents of strains VM2412^T and VR2415^T were determined to be 70.8 and 70.4 mol%, respectively. A genome-based phylogenetic tree constructed using an up-to-date bacterial core gene set (UBCG) showed that the strains formed a clade with members of the genus Brachybacterium, supporting their taxonomic classification into the genus Brachybacterium. Based on phenotypic and genotypic analyses in this study, strains VM2412^T and VR2415^T are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Brachybacterium and the names Brachybacterium vulturis sp. nov. and Brachybacterium avium sp. nov. are proposed for strains VM2412^T (=KCTC 39996^T = JCM 32142^T) and VR2415^T (=KCTC 39997^T = JCM 32143^T), respectively.

First case of a bloodstream infection caused by the genus Brachybacterium

An 83-year-old previously self-sufficient man was referred to our hospital for a fever, severe tenderness over the lumbar spine, and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Computed tomography revealed fluid collection in the intervertebral space of L3/4. Gram-positive, short rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from two sets of blood cultures. A 16S rRNA sequence analysis of an isolate showed a similarity of 98.1% to the nearest type strain Brachybacterium squillarum JCM 16464^T. Biochemical characteristics of the presently isolated strain differed from those of the most closely related species of the genus Brachybacterium. The patient was successfully discharged on day 73 of admission with antimicrobial therapies and showed no recurrence during outpatient visits. Brachybacterium spp. have mainly been isolated from the environment, and human Brachybacterium infections have rarely been documented to date. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical isolation of Brachybacterium sp. as a causative pathogen of bloodstream infection.

Brachybacterium aquaticum sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from seawater

A pale-yellowish bacterium, strain KWS-1T, was isolated from seawater during a study of the bacterial diversity of the marine environment of the Kanyakumari coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, India, and was studied by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain KWS-1T had morphological and chemotaxonomic properties (cell-wall diamino acid, menaquinone and fatty acid profile) consistent with its classification in the genus Brachybacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain KWS-1T was related most closely to Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum JCM 17781T, followed by Brachybacterium saurashtrense DSM 23186T, Brachybacterium gingengisoli JCM 19356T, Brachybacterium faecium JCM 11609T and Brachybacterium conglomeratum JCM 11608T (98.45, 98.24, 98.12, 98.10 and 98.10 % similarity, respectively), whereas the sequence similarity values with respect to the other Brachybacterium species with validly published names were between 97.4 and 94.2 %. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain KWS-1T and the five most closely related species were less than the threshold value for species discrimination. The major lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylserine and the major quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The DNA G+C content of strain KWS-1T was 71.8 mol%. The above data in combination with the phenotypic distinctiveness of strain KWS-1T from other reference strains clearly indicate that the strain represents a novel species, for which the name Brachybacterium aquaticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KWS-1T (=MTCC 11836T=DSM 28796T=JCM 30059T).

High-quality genome sequencing and description of Dermabacter indicis sp. nov

Strain FF11^T was isolated from the wound on a researcher's finger who had been bitten by a fish (Protopterus annectens) in Senegal. Analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry did not provide any identification, but the 16S rRNA sequence exhibited 97.9% identity with Dermabacter hominis. Phenotypic and genomic analyses demonstrated that strain FF11^T is Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, nonmotile and non–spore forming; it exhibited a genome of 2 222 902 bp encoding 2074 protein-coding and 50 RNA genes, with a 63.2% G+C content. We consequently proposed the creation of Dermabacter indicis strain FF11^T.

Brachybacterium horti sp. nov., isolated from garden soil

A bacterial strain, THG-S15-4T, was isolated from garden soil taken from the Guro-gu district of Seoul, Republic of Korea. Strain THG-S15-4T was Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, coccus-shaped and non-motile, forming white colonies. The strain grew optimally at 25-37 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain THG-S15-4T was affiliated to species of the genus Brachybacterium, and the most closely related species were Brachybacterium rhamnosum KCTC 9917 T (98.5 % sequence similarity) and Brachybacterium squillarum KCTC 19899T (96.9 % sequence similarity). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-S15-4T and B. rhamnosum KCTC 9917 T was found to be below 20.0 %. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.5 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone detected was MK-7. Strain THG-S15-4T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified polar lipid. The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The results of physiological and biochemical tests enabled strain THG-S15-4T to be differentiated phenotypically from species of the genus Brachybacterium with validly published names. Therefore, it is suggested that this newly isolated organism represents a novel species, for which the name Brachybacterium horti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-S15-4T ( = KCTC 39563T = CCTCC AB 2015116T).

Brachybacterium ginsengisoli sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A novel Gram-staining-positive, aerobic bacterium, designed DCY80(T), was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in the Republic of Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DCY80(T) belonged to the genus Brachybacterium (95.8-98.2 % similarity) and was most closely related to Brachybacterium faecium DSM 4810(T) (98.2 %). Colonies were circular, entire, low-convex, opaque and 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter after growth for 2 days on TSA at 30 °C. Growth occurred at 4-34 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and in the presence of 0-7.0 % NaCl. Strain DCY80(T) produced siderophores and was sensitive to penicillin G, erythromycin, cefazolin, oleandomycin, ceftazidime, vancomycin, tetracycline, novobiocin, carbamicillin, rifampicin and neomycin. The DNA G+C content was 71.0 mol%. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain DCY80(T) and B. faecium DSM 4810(T), B. paraconglomeratum KCTC 9916(T), B. saurashtrense DSM 23186(T) and B. conglomeratum KCTC 9915(T) were 46.9±0.5, 28.9±0.6, 20.4±0.9 and 17.3±0.4 %, respectively. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain DCY80(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The menaquinones were MK-7 (85.8 %) and MK-8 (14.2 %). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (69.1 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (12.2 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified polar lipids were found. On the basis of our phenotypic and genotypic analyses, strain DCY80(T) represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed (type strain DCY80(T) = KCTC 29226(T) = JCM 19356(T)).

Brachybacterium huguangmaarense sp. nov., isolated from Lake sediment

A Gram-stain positive strain, M1T, was isolated from the sediment of Maar Lake in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China. The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid, and mycolic acids were not detected. The polar lipid profile of strain M1T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unknown glycolipid. The predominant quinone was MK-7, with MK-6 as a minor component. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0, with iso-C18:0 as a minor component. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain M1T belongs to the family Dermabacteraceae, sharing highest sequence similarity with Brachybacterium nesterenkovii JCM 11648T (98.1%). Furthermore, a combination of DNA-DNA relatedness and physiological and biochemical properties indicated that the novel strain could be readily distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain M1T represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium huguangmaarense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M1T (=CCTCC AB 2012866T=DSM 26370T).

Draft genome sequence of an Actinobacterium, Brachybacterium muris strain UCD-AY4

Here we present the draft genome of an actinobacterium, Brachybacterium muris UCD-AY4. The assembly contains 3,257,338 bp and has a GC content of 70%. This strain was isolated from a residential bath towel and has a 16S rRNA gene 99.7% identical to that of the original B. muris strain, C3H-21.

Genome sequence of Brachybacterium squillarum M-6-3(T), isolated from salt-fermented seafood

Brachybacterium squillarum M-6-3(T) was isolated from salt-fermented seafood in Korea and belongs to the Dermabacteraceae, a rather isolated family within the actinobacterial suborder Micrococcineae. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the type strain Brachybacterium squillarum M-6-3(T) (3,191,479 bp), a Gram-positive bacterium with high (72.8%) G+C content.

Brachybacterium saurashtrense sp. nov., a halotolerant root-associated bacterium with plant growth-promoting potential

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic, non-motile, coccoid shaped, halotolerant bacterium (strain JG 06(T)) was isolated from the roots of Salicornia brachiata, an extreme halophyte. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the novel strain had sequence similarities of 99.2% to Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum JCM 11608(T), 99.0% to Brachybacterium conglomeratum DSM 10241 and 98.2% to Brachybacterium faecium DSM 4810(T). DNA-DNA hybridization with B. paraconglomeratum DSM 46341(T), B. conglomeratum DSM 10241(T), B. faecium DSM 4810(T), Brachybacterium tyrofermentans DSM 10673(T), Brachybacterium alimentarium DSM 10672(T), Brachybacterium fresconsis DSM 14564(T), Brachybacterium sacelli DSM 14566(T) and Brachybacterium muris DSM 15460(T) resulted in reassociation values of 36.2%, 36.5%, 35.8%, 27.6%, 27.9%, 28.2%, 28.7% and 11.2%, respectively. The peptidoglycan type of strain JG 06(T) was variant A4γ. The menaquinone content was MK7 (100%). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, monogalactosyl diglyceride, three unidentified phospholipids and three glycolipids. The predominant fatty acid was anteiso-C(15:0) (52.07%); significant amounts of iso-C(16:0)(12.38%), iso-C(15:0 )(8.59%) and anteiso-C(17:0)(10.03%) were also present. The G+C content of the DNA was 73.0 mol%. The strain formed a growth pellicle in nitrogen-free semisolid NFb medium containing NaCl at levels of up to 4% (w/v) and reduced acetylene to ethylene, a result indicative of N(2) fixation. In nutrient broth medium the novel strain grew at NaCl concentrations up to 15% (w/v). It also had the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores, utilized 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) as a sole source of nitrogen and possessed the ACC deaminase enzyme. On the basis of physiological, biochemical data and phylogenetic analyses, strain JG 06(T) should be placed in the genus Brachybacterium. Strain JG 06(T) represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium for which the name Brachybacterium saurashtrense sp. nov. is proposed (type strain JG 06(T)=DSM 23186(T)=IMCC 252(T)).

Brachybacterium squillarum sp. nov., isolated from salt-fermented seafood

A Gram-positive bacterium, strain M-6-3(T), was isolated from salt-fermented seafood in Korea. The organism grew in 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl and at 25-37 °C, with optimal growth occurring in 5 % NaCl and at 28-30 °C. The peptidoglycan type was variation A4γ with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid. The polar lipid profile of strain M-6-3(T) consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unknown glycolipid. Strain M-6-3(T) contained MK-7 as the major component of the quinone system and anteiso-C(15 : 0) (62.1 %) as the predominant fatty acid. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain M-6-3(T) was most closely related to Brachybacterium rhamnosum LMG 19848(T) (98.5 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.5 mol% and the mean DNA-DNA hybridization value with reference strains was 14.32 ± 2.0 %. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that strain M-6-3(T) represents a novel species for which the name Brachybacterium squillarum sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is M-6-3(T) ( = KACC 14221(T)  = JCM 16464(T)).

Devriesea agamarum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium associated with dermatitis and septicaemia in agamid lizards

Five bacterial isolates were recovered from dermatitis or organ lesions of five agamid lizards. Three strains were recovered from Uromastyx species with dermatitis or septicaemia. All five isolates were Gram-positive small rods that could not be identified using conventional phenotypic systems. They grew on sheep blood agar as small haemolytic colonies after 24 h of incubation at temperatures between 25 and 42 degrees C under aerobic, microaerophilic or anaerobic conditions. They were catalase-positive and non-motile. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains represent a new taxon within the class Actinobacteria. Their nearest phylogenetic neighbours were determined as Brachybacterium faecium LMG 19847(T) (95.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Dermabacter hominis NCIMB 13131(T) (95.3% similarity). The DNA G+C content of one of the novel isolates, strain IMP2(T), was 61 mol%. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic differences from other species of coryneform bacteria, it is proposed that this novel taxon be classified as Devriesea agamarum gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is IMP2(T) (=LMG 24257(T)=CCUG 55056(T)).

Identification of a bacterial strain isolated from the liver of a laboratory mouse as Microbacterium paraoxydans and emended description of the species Microbacterium paraoxydans Laffineur et al 2003

A rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacterial strain, designated C57-33, was isolated from the liver of the laboratory mouse strain C57Bl/6J and characterised by a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity placed strain C57-33 in the genus Microbacterium with Microbacterium paraoxydans CF36(T) as the next relative (99.9% sequence similarity). Major fatty acids ai-C(15:0), i-C(16:0) and ai-C(17:0) and peptidoglycan type B2β with ornithine as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid and glycolyl residues were in agreement with the description of Microbacterium paraoxydans. The quinone system of C57-33 (major menaquinones MK-12 and MK-11) and polar lipid profile (major polar lipids diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl glycerol and two unknown glycolipids) were in accordance with those of Microbacterium paraoxydans strains CF36(T), CF7 and CF40 which were analysed in this study as well. The results of biochemical/physiological characterisation, DNA-DNA hybridization, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of cell extracts and comparison of protein patterns after SDS-PAGE demonstrated that our isolate C57-33 (= DSM 15461) is a strain of the species Microbacterium paraoxydans. Based on new characteristics such as quinone system, polar lipid profile and physiological traits analysed for strain C57-33, the type strain of Microbacterium paraoxydans and some additional strains an emended description of the species Microbacterium paraoxydans is provided.

Brachybacterium phenoliresistens sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated coastal sand

A coccoid- to ovoid-shaped, Gram-positive, non-motile bacterial strain, designated phenol-AT, was isolated from an oil-contaminated coastal sand sample collected from Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, and characterized by use of a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain formed a monophyletic branch at the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Brachybacterium in the family Dermabacteraceae, class Actinobacteria. The closest neighbours were Brachybacterium rhamnosum LMG 19848T (96.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Brachybacterium nesterenkovii DSM 9573T (97.0%) and Brachybacterium muris C3H-21T (96.3%). The peptidoglycan type of strain phenol-AT was variation A4gamma with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid. The isolate contained MK-7 as the major component of the quinone system. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and unidentified phospholipids and glycolipids. The predominant fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0 (59.5%); significant amounts of iso-C16:0 (9.4%), iso-C14:0 (9.5%) and anteiso-C17:0 (10.8%) were also present. The isolate was also distinguished from recognized members of the genus Brachybacterium on the basis of several phenotypic and biochemical characteristics. It is evident from the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data that isolate phenol-AT represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium phenoliresistens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is phenol-AT (=LMG 23707T=BCRC 17589T).

Brachybacterium zhongshanense sp. nov., a cellulose-decomposing bacterium from sediment along the Qijiang River, Zhongshan City, China

A cellulose-decomposing bacterium, strain JBT, was isolated from sediments along the Qijiang River, Zhongshan City, China. Results of morphological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain JBT belonged to the genus Brachybacterium. Insertion sequence-PCR fingerprinting patterns, DNA base ratio analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization data showed that strain JBT differed from recognized species of the genus Brachybacterium. Based on polyphasic analysis, strain JBT represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium zhongshanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JBT (=LMG 23926T=CGMCC 1.6508T=DSM 18832T).