Janibacter melonis sp. nov., isolated from abnormally spoiled oriental melon in Korea

Janibacter alittae sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the gut of marine sandworm (Alitta virens)

A novel Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and ovoid cocci, designated as A1S7T, was isolated from the gut of a marine sandworm (Alitta virens). Strain A1S7T exhibited optimal growth at temperatures of 20-30 ℃, pH 6-8 and in the presence of 2-4% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain A1S7T belonged to the genus Janibacter, exhibiting a similarity of 99.0% to Janibacter cremeus KCTC 49873T, followed by Janibacter anophelis KCTC 19282T (98.8%), Janibacter hoylei KCTC 49872T (98.4%), Janibacter limosus KACC 20518T (98.2%) and Janibacter corallicola KACC 21120T (97.2%). The complete genome sequence of strain A1S7T revealed a genome size of 3360920 bp with a genomic G+C content of 70.1 mol%. The orthologous average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain A1S7T and Janibacter cremeus KCTC 49873T were determined to be 89.5 and 37.2%, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was MK-8(H4). The predominant fatty acids (>10%) included iso-C16:0, C17:1  ω8c, C18:1  ω9c and C17:0. Polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, one unknown phosphoglycolipid and three unknown polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A1γ. The major whole-cell sugars were ribose, mannose and glucose. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain A1S7T represents a novel species in the genus Janibacter, for which the name Janibacter alittae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A1S7T (=KCTC 49714T = JCM 36706T).

Janibacter endophyticus sp. nov., an Endophytic Actinobacterium Isolated from the Root of Paris polyphylla Smith var. Yunnanensis

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated as strain YIM B02568^T, was isolated from the root of Paris polyphylla Smith var. Yunnanensis obtained from Yunnan Province, southwest China. Strain YIM B02568^T was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this isolate belonged to the genus Janibacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain YIM B02568^T to the type strains of members of this genus ranged from 95.8 to 98.6%. However, overall genome relatedness indices were significantly lower than the widely accepted species-defined threshold. The cell wall of strain YIM B02568^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H₄). The main polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol. The major cellular fatty acids were comprised of iso-C_16:0 and C_18:1 ω9c. The DNA G + C content was 71.6 mol%. Based on the data from the polyphasic studies, we propose that strain YIM B02568^T represents a novel species within the genus Janibacter, Janibacter endophyticus sp. nov. The type strain is YIM B02568^T (= JCM 34639^T = CGMCC 1.18658^T).

Whole Genome Sequencing of First Janibacter indicus Isolate in China Revealed Three Unique Genomic Islands Compared with Saprophytic Strains

Introduction

Janibacter caused bacteriemia is one of the rare infections.

Methods

In the present study, we report the first isolation of Janibacter, a rare bacterial infection, from a bacteremia patient in China. Its 16S rDNA was amplified and designated as Janibacter YFY001, which belongs to J. indicus. In addition, its genome was sequenced through combined second- and third-generation genome sequencing methods.

Results

Based on its genome, we identified many virulence factors, such as catalase, gelatinase, FbpABC systems, and resistant genes, among others. Interestingly, three genomic islands were found in YFY001 by comparing its genome to environmental Janibacter strains.

Discussion

Our study not only provides the necessary genomic information for in-depth study of Janibacter, but also provides a novel methodology for studying future cases of rare bacterial infection.

A rapid and efficient method for the extraction and identification of menaquinones from Actinomycetes in wet biomass

Background

Menaquinones are constituents of prokaryote cell membranes where they play important functions during electron transport. Menaquinone profiles are strongly recommended for species classification when proposing a new Actinomycetes taxon. Presently, the most widely used methods to determine menaquinones are based on freeze-dried cells. Taxonomic research in our lab has revealed that menaquinone concentrations are low for some species of the genus Microbacterium, leading to difficulties in identifying menaquinones.

Results

Menaquinones extracted using the novel lysozyme-chloroform-methanol (LCM) method were comparable in quality to those obtained using the Collins method, the most widely used method. All tested strains extracted via the LCM method showed higher concentrations of menaquinones than those extracted via the Collins method. For some Microbacterium strains, the LCM method exhibited higher sensitivity than the Collins method, and more trace menaquinones were detected with the LCM method than the Collins method. In addition, LCM method is faster than the Collins method because it uses wet cells.

Conclusion

The LCM method is a simple, rapid and efficient technique for the extraction and identification of menaquinones from Actinomycetes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02240-z.

Complete genome sequence of Janibaecter indicus YB324 from an Atlantic marine sediment

Janibacter indicus YB324, a gram-positive, aerobic and non-motile actinobacterium isolated from south Atlantic sediment at a depth of 2875 m. The complete genome sequence of the strain YB324 was obtained using PacBio Sequel HGAP.4 and comprised of 3,369,845 base pairs with a 71.3 mol% G + C content, 3225 protein-coding genes, 53 RNAs. In silico analysis confirmed the genes associated with polysaccharide hydrolyzation, nitrite reduction, and phenol degradation. Multiple natural product biosynthesis gene clusters were identified as well. The complete genome sequence will provide insight into the potential use of this strain in biotechnological and natural product biosynthesis applications.

Complete Genome Sequence of Janibacter melonis M714, a Janus-Faced Bacterium with Both Human Health Impact and Industrial Applications

Janibacter, a member of the Intrasporangiaceae family of Actinobacteria, is a Janus-faced bacterium that has both antibiotic resistance/pathogenicity and the ability to degrade pollutants, with significant research value. Here, we isolated the novel strain Janibacter melonis M714 from an irradiated area in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. J. melonis M714 contains one circular chromosome of 3,426,637 bp with a GC content of 72.98% and one plasmid of 54,436 bp with a GC content of 67.80%. The genome of J. melonis M714 contains 2,859 CDSs, 47 tRNA genes, and 6 rRNA genes. Genome assembly and annotation indicated that strain M714 has a high GC content and contains multiple notable functional genes, including a beta-lactam resistance gene and dioxygenase gene, which may be the key determinants of the strain's antibiotic resistance and xenobiotic degradation ability, respectively. The whole genome sequences of J. melonis M714 provide information that is useful for its potential applications in the degradation of pollutants and environmental remediation.

Microbial Monitoring in the EDEN ISS Greenhouse, a Mobile Test Facility in Antarctica

The EDEN ISS greenhouse, integrated in two joined containers, is a confined mobile test facility in Antarctica for the development and optimization of new plant cultivation techniques for future space programs. The EDEN ISS greenhouse was used successfully from February to November 2018 for fresh food production for the overwintering crew at the Antarctic Neumayer III station. During the 9 months of operation, samples from the different plants, from the nutrition solution of the aeroponic planting system, and from diverse surfaces within the three different compartments of the container were taken [future exploration greenhouse (FEG), service section (SS), and cold porch (CP)]. Quantity as well as diversity of microorganisms was examined by cultivation. In case of the plant samples, microbial quantities were in a range from 102 to 104 colony forming units per gram plant material. Compared to plants purchased from a German grocery, the produce hosted orders of magnitude more microorganisms than the EDEN ISS plants. The EDEN ISS plant samples contained mainly fungi and a few bacteria. No classical food associated pathogenic microorganism, like Escherichia and Salmonella, could be found. Probably due to the used cultivation approach, Archaea were not found in the samples. The bioburden in the nutrition solutions increased constantly over time but never reached critical values like 102-103 cfu per 100 mL in irrigation water as it is stated, e.g., for commercial European plant productions. The surface samples revealed high differences in the microbial burden between the greenhouse part of the container and the SS and CP part. However, the numbers of organisms (bacteria and fungi) found in the planted greenhouse were still not critical. The microbial loaded surfaces showed strong temporal as well as spatial fluctuations. In samples of the nutrition solution and the surface, the amount of bacteria exceeded the amount of fungi by many times. For identification, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for the isolated prokaryotic organisms. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the most abundant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. These phyla include plant- and human-associated bacterial species. In general, it could be shown that it is possible to produce edible fresh food in a remote environment and this food is safe for consumption from a microbiological point of view.

Description of Janibacter massiliensis sp. nov., cultured from the vaginal discharge of a patient with bacterial vaginosis

Strain Marseille-P4121^T was isolated from a vaginal sample of a 45-year-old French woman with bacterial vaginosis. It is a Gram-positive, asporogenous, non-motile and aerobic bacterium. Strain Marseille-P4121^T exhibits 98.2% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with Janibacter alkaliphilus strain SCSIO 10480^T, a phylogenetically closely related species with standing in nomenclature. Its major fatty acids were identified as C_18:1ω9 (34.4%), C_16:0 (30.1%), and C_18:0 (19%). The draft genome size of strain Marseille-P4121^T is 2,452,608 bp long with a 72.5% G+C content and contains 2351 protein-coding genes and 49 RNA genes including 3 rRNA genes. We propose that strain Marseille-P4121^T (= CECT 9671^T = CSUR P4121^T) is the type strain of the new species Janibacter massiliensis sp. nov.

Genome sequence and comparative genomic analysis of a clinically important strain CD11-4 of Janibacter melonis isolated from celiac disease patient

Background

Janibacter melonis and other member of this genus are known to cause bacteremia and serious clinical comorbidities, but there is no study reporting about pathogenicity attributes of J. melonis. Janibacter terrae is known to cause lethal infection. Reporting the genome of J. melonis CD11-4 and comparative genomics with other members of genus has provided some novel insights that can enable us to understand the mechanisms responsible for its pathogenicity in humans.

Results

Comparative genomic analysis by Rapid Annotation Server and Technology revealed the presence of similar virulence determinant genes in both J. terrae NBRC 107853^T and J. melonis CD11-4. Like J. terrae NBRC 107853^T, J. melonis CD11-4 contained two genes responsible for resistance against β-lactam class of antibiotics and two genes for resistance against fluoroquinolones. Interestingly, J. melonis CD11-4 contained a unique gene coding for multidrug resistance efflux pumps unlike all other members of this genus. It also contained two genes involved in Toxin-antitoxin Systems that were absent in J. terrae NBRC 107853^T but were present in some other members of genus.

Conclusions

Genome annotations of J. melonis CD11-4 revealed that it contained similar or more virulence repertoire like J. terrae NBRC 107853^T. Like other gut pathogens, J. melonis possesses key virulence determinant genes for antibiotic resistance, invasion, adhesion, biofilm formation, iron acquisition and to cope with stress response, thereby indicating that strain J. melonis CD11-4 could be a gut pathogen.

First case of bacteremia caused by Janibacter hoylei

Janibacter hoylei has previously been isolated only from an air sample in the upper atmosphere and clinical significance of J. hoylei was not yet established. Herein, we report a case of bacteremia caused by J. hoylei. An 8-week-old previously healthy male infant presented to the emergency room with fever. Blood culture yielded growth of Gram-positive bacilli and this microorganism could not be identified with conventional phenotypic methods. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the patient was successfully treated with vancomycin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the recovery of J. hoylei in humans. This case shows that J. hoylei can be a potential pathogen in young children.

Biotechnological application and taxonomical distribution of plant growth promoting actinobacteria

Plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria are involved in various interactions known to affect plant fitness and soil quality, thereby increasing the productivity of agriculture and stability of soil. Although the potential of actinobacteria in antibiotic production is well-investigated, their capacity to enhance plant growth is not fully surveyed. Due to the following justifications, PGP actinobacteria (PGPA) can be considered as a more promising taxonomical group of PGP bacteria: (1) high numbers of actinobacteria per gram of soil and their filamentous nature, (2) genome dedicated to the secondary metabolite production (~5 to 10 %) is distinctively more than that of other bacteria and (3) number of plant growth promoter genera reported from actinobacteria is 1.3 times higher than that of other bacteria. Mechanisms by which PGPA contribute to the plant growth by association are: (a) enhancing nutrients availability, (b) regulation of plant metabolism, (c) decreasing environmental stress, (d) control of phytopathogens and (e) improvement of soil texture. Taxonomical and chemical diversity of PGPA and their biotechnological application along with their associated challenges are summarized in this paper.

Pentachlorophenol degradation by Janibacter sp., a new actinobacterium isolated from saline sediment of arid land

Many pentachlorophenol- (PCP-) contaminated environments are characterized by low or elevated temperatures, acidic or alkaline pH, and high salt concentrations. PCP-degrading microorganisms, adapted to grow and prosper in these environments, play an important role in the biological treatment of polluted extreme habitats. A PCP-degrading bacterium was isolated and characterized from arid and saline soil in southern Tunisia and was enriched in mineral salts medium supplemented with PCP as source of carbon and energy. Based on 16S rRNA coding gene sequence analysis, the strain FAS23 was identified as Janibacter sp. As revealed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, FAS23 strain was found to be efficient for PCP removal in the presence of 1% of glucose. The conditions of growth and PCP removal by FAS23 strain were found to be optimal in neutral pH and at a temperature of 30 °C. Moreover, this strain was found to be halotolerant at a range of 1-10% of NaCl and able to degrade PCP at a concentration up to 300 mg/L, while the addition of nonionic surfactant (Tween 80) enhanced the PCP removal capacity.

Janibacter indicus sp. nov., isolated from hydrothermal sediment of the Indian Ocean

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic and non-motile strain, 0704P10-1T, was isolated from hydrothermal sediment of the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data for the organism supported that it belonged to the genus Janibacter . Strain 0704P10-1T showed 97.2–98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of recognized members of the genus Janibacter . It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall. MK-8(H4) was the only menaquinone detected. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and 10-methyl C17 : 0. Meanwhile, the results of DNA–DNA hybridization studies and other physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 0704P10-1T from closely related species. Thus, strain 0704P10-1T represents a novel species of the genus Janibacter , for which the name Janibacter indicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 0704P10-1T ( = LMG 27493T = CGMCC 1.12511T).

Characterization and genetic analyses of a carbazole-degrading gram-positive marine isolate, Janibacter sp. strain OC11

Strain OC11 was isolated from seawater sampled at the coast of Chiba, Japan, in artificial seawater medium with carbazole (CAR) as the sole carbon source. Its 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence suggested that strain OC11 belongs to the genus Janibacter. The CAR-degradation genes (car genes) of strain OC11 were PCR amplified, using degenerate primers designed based on the car gene sequences of other CAR-degrading bacteria. Complete nucleotide sequences encoding six complete open reading frames were determined, and the first known ferredoxin reductase gene (carAd) was found from a CAR-degrading bacterium isolated from the marine environment. An experiment using a mutant strain suggested that the car genes of strain OC11 are functional in CAR degradation. Southern hybridization indicated that strain OC11 had one car gene cluster in vivo. RT-PCR revealed that transcription of carOC11 constitutes an operon.

Janibacter cremeus sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from sea sediment

A novel Gram-stain-positive actinobacterium, designated HR08-44T, was isolated from a sea-sediment sample collected from the foreshore of Rishiri Island, Japan, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain HR08-44T was closely related to the members of the genus Janibacter , with pairwise sequence similarities of 97.3–98.8 %. Strain HR08-44T had peptidoglycan type A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4) and the major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c, C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. These data supported the affiliation of the novel strain to the genus Janibacter . Meanwhile, the results of DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests indicated that strain HR08-44T can be distinguished from recognized species of the genus Janibacter . Therefore, strain HR08-44T represents a novel species of the genus Janibacter , for which the name Janibacter cremeus sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is HR08-44T ( = NBRC 107693T = DSM 26154T).

Genome sequence of Janibacter hoylei MTCC8307, isolated from the stratospheric air

Janibacter hoylei MTCC8307 was isolated from stratospheric air at an altitude of 41.4 km over Hyderabad, India. Here, we present the draft genome of Janibacter hoylei MTCC8307, which contains 3,139,099 bp with a G+C content of 72.8 mol%, 2,972 protein-coding genes, and 57 structural RNAs.

Knoellia flava sp. nov., isolated from pig manure

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming actinobacterial strain, designated strain TL1T, was isolated from pig manure in Wuhan, China. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TL1T was most closely related to the type strains of Knoellia sinensis (98.5 %), Knoellia subterranea (98.2 %) and Knoellia aerolata (96.9 %). DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain TL1T with the type strains of K. sinensis and K. subterranea were 27.3 and 34.0 %, respectively. Comparison of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics among strain TL1T and related organisms revealed that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Knoellia, for which the name Knoellia flava sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is TL1T ( = CGMCC 1.10749T = KCTC 19810T).

Impact of chlorophenols on microbiota of an unpolluted acidic soil: microbial resistance and biodegradation

The impact of 2-monochlorophenol (MCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the microbial community of an acidic forest soil was studied under controlled laboratory conditions by spiking microcosms with the pollutants at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5000 mg kg(-1). A decrease in the cumulative respirometric values and changes in the bacterial and fungal community composition were detected at 1000 mg MCP kg(-1), 100 mg TCP kg(-1) and 100 and 1000 mg PCP kg(-1). However, drastic effects on the microbial community were revealed only at higher concentrations of MCP and TCP, although the toxicity of PCP was expected to be stronger. The acidic condition of the soil presumably reduces bioavailability of PCP, leading to less pronounced effects than the other pollutants. This finding highlights the consideration of pollutant bioavailability in each environment to adequately assess contamination effects. Twenty-two different chlorophenol-resistant and potentially degrading microorganisms were isolated from highly polluted microcosms. The most resistant isolates were related to Burkholderia arboris, Bacillus circulans, Paenibacillus taichungensis, Luteibacter rhizovicina and Janibacter melonis. These isolates also showed the capacity to reduce the concentration of TCP or PCP between 15% and 35% after 5 days of incubation (initial concentration of 50 mg L(-1)). The isolate related to B. circulans is an atypical case of a member of the Firmicutes group for which chlorophenol-degrading capacities have been described.

Genome sequence of the Marine Janibacter Sp. Strain HTCC2649

Janibacter sp. strain HTCC2649 is a novel marine member of the Actinobacteria, family Intrasporangiaceae, and is closely related to Janibacter melonis CM2104(T) and Knoellia sinensis HKI 0119(T). The organism was isolated from a sample collected at Hydrostation S south of Bermuda by using high-throughput culturing techniques. Here we present the genome sequence of Janibacter sp. strain HTCC2649.

Isolation and characterization of a newly isolated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-degrading Janibacter anophelis strain JY11

The PAHs-degradation bacterium strain JY11 was newly isolated from the polluted soil in Jinan Oil Refinery Factory, Shandong Province of China. The isolate was identified as Janibacter anophelis with respect to its 16S rDNA sequence, DNA-DNA relatedness and fatty acid profiles, as well as various physiological characteristics. The strain was Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rods in young culture, 0.8-1.0 microm in diameter and 1.3-1.6 microm long, and coccoid cells in the stationary phase of growth that are 1.0-1.2 microm in diameter and 1.3-1.5 microm long, occurred in pairs and sometimes in chains or in group, aerobic, oxidase-week positive, catalase-positive. J. anophelis strain JY11 can utilize naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, xylene, methanol, ethanol and salicylic acid as sole carbon source. The strain could remove 98.5% of phenanthrene, 82.1% of anthracene, and 97.7% of pyrene with an initial concentration of 500 ppm in five days without adding co-metabolism substrates and surfactants.

Fodinibacter luteus gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a salt mine

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, irregular short rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain YIM C003T, was isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM C003T was most closely related to strains of the genera Knoellia (94.2-96.0% similarity), Oryzihumus (95.6%), Terrabacter (94.9-95.4%), Janibacter (94.9-95.4%), Kribbia (95.0%), Lapillicoccus (95.0%) and Phycicoccus (94.2-95.0%) of the family Intrasporangiaceae and that it formed an independent monophyletic lineage with three strains of Oryzihumus leptocrescens. The DNA G+C content of strain YIM C003T was 72.0 mol%. The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). Mycolic acids were not detected. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and two unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids were C18:1omega9c and C16:0. These chemotaxonomic properties, together with data from phylogenetic analysis, enabled the novel isolate to be differentiated from all other members of the family. A novel species in a new genus, Fodinibacter luteus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed, with strain YIM C003T (=DSM 21208T=CCTCC AA 208036T) as the type strain of Fodinibacter luteus.

Lapillicoccus jejuensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium of the family Intrasporangiaceae, isolated from stone

A novel, yellow-pigmented actinobacterium was isolated from a small stone collected in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The cells of the organism, designated strain R-Ac013T, were Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile cocci that occurred singly or in pairs. The strain showed growth at 10–37 °C and pH 4.1–11.1, and tolerated 2 % NaCl. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the organism was phylogenetically related to members of the genera Tetrasphaera (94.6–97.1 % sequence similarity), Terrabacter (96.5 %), Knoellia (96.4 %), Terracoccus (96.4 %), Oryzihumus (96.4 %), Janibacter (96.1–96.4 %) and Intrasporangium (96.2 %). The chemotaxonomic results for the organism were as follows: ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan, acetyl-type murein, MK-8(H4) as the major menaquinone, a DNA G+C content of 74.1 mol%, and a polar lipid profile that comprised diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The fatty acid profile consisted of iso- and anteiso-methyl-branched, straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated types, the major components being iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω8c and iso-C15 : 0. The combination of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data revealed that this strain represents a novel genus and species of the family Intrasporangiaceae, for which the name Lapillicoccus jejuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain R-Ac013T (=KCTC 19200T=DSM 18607T).

Janibacter corallicola sp. nov., isolated from coral in Palau

A novel Janibacter species is described on the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data. Two bacterial strains were isolated in Palau, which were both Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacteria with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)). Mycolic acids were not detected. The G+C content of the DNA was 70-71 mol%. Comparative 16S rDNA studies of the two isolated strains revealed that they both belonged to the genus Janibacter. DNA-DNA relatedness data revealed that 04PA2-Co5-61(T) and 02PA-Ca-009 belong to the same species, a new species of the genus Janibacter. From these results, Janibacter corallicola sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 04PA2-Co5-61(T) (=MBIC 08265(T), DSM 18906(T)).

Isolates of ‘Candidatus Nostocoida limicola’ Blackall et al. 2000 should be described as three novel species of the genus Tetrasphaera, as Tetrasphaera jenkinsii sp. nov., Tetrasphaera vanveenii sp. nov. and Tetrasphaera veronensis sp. nov

Despite differences in their morphologies, comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed high levels of similarity (>94 %) between strains of the filamentous bacterium ‘Candidatus Nostocoida limicola’ and the cocci Tetrasphaera australiensis and Tetrasphaera japonica and the rod Tetrasphaera elongata, all isolated from activated sludge. These sequence data and their chemotaxonomic characters, including cell wall, menaquinone and lipid compositions and fingerprints of their 16S–23S rRNA intergenic regions, support the proposition that these isolates should be combined into a single genus containing six species, in the family Intrasporangiaceae in the Actinobacteria. This suggestion receives additional support from DNA–DNA hybridization data and when partial sequences of the rpoC1 gene are compared between these strains. Even though few phenotypic characterization data were obtained for these slowly growing isolates, it is proposed, on the basis of the extensive chemotaxonomic and molecular evidence presented here, that ‘Candidatus N. limicola’ strains Ben 17, Ben 18, Ben 67, Ben 68 and Ben 74 all be placed into the species Tetrasphaera jenkinsii sp. nov. (type strain Ben 74T=DSM 17519T=NCIMB 14128T), ‘Candidatus N. limicola’ strain Ben 70 into Tetrasphaera vanveenii sp. nov. (type strain Ben 70T=DSM 17518T=NCIMB 14127T) and ‘Candidatus N. limicola’ strains Ver 1 and Ver 2 into Tetrasphaera veronensis sp. nov. (type strain Ver 1T=DSM 17520T=NCIMB 14129T).

Kribbia dieselivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Intrasporangiaceae

Two Gram-positive, catalase-positive, irregular short rod- or coccoid-shaped bacterial strains, N113T and R33, were isolated from an enrichment culture with diesel oil-degradation activity and their taxonomic positions were investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic similarities indicated that strains N113T and R33 were representatives of the same species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains N113T and R33 form a lineage independent from those of members of the family Intrasporangiaceae. The novel isolates had cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and 10-methyl-C18 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents were 69.6–69.9 mol%. These chemotaxonomic properties, together with phylogenetic distinctiveness, distinguish the two novel strains from recognized members of the family Intrasporangiaceae. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strains N113T (=KCTC 19143T=JCM 13585T) and R33 are classified as representatives of a novel genus and species, Kribbia dieselivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Intrasporangiaceae.

Janibacter anophelis sp. nov., isolated from the midgut of Anopheles arabiensis

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile strain, H2.16BT, isolated from the midgut of the mosquito Anopheles arabiensis was investigated using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain H2.16BT was shown to belong to the genus Janibacter, being most closely related to Janibacter melonis (98.3%), Janibacter terrae (98.5%) and Janibacter limosus (98.5%). Chemotaxonomic data (meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall and major fatty acids of iso-C16:0, C17:1omega8c and C17:0)) supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Janibacter. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain H2.16BT from closely related species. Thus, H2.16BT represents a novel species of the genus Janibacter, for which the name Janibacter anophelis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H2.16BT (=CCUG 49715T=CIP 108728T).

Bacteremia caused by Janibacter melonis

We report a case of bacteremia caused by Janibacter melonis, a recently described aerobic actinomycete originally isolated from a spoiled oriental melon. Our patient's blood culture isolate was identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This is the first report of the recovery of Janibacter species from humans.

Bacteremia caused by an undescribed species of Janibacter

A yellow-pigmented rod- to coccoid-shaped coryneform microorganism was isolated from the blood of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. It was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a previously undescribed species of Janibacter. The isolate was susceptible to penicillins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and glycopeptides.