Flavobacterium aquatile (Frankland and Frankland) Bergey et al., type species of the genus Flavobacterium

Emergence and mobilization of a novel lincosamide resistance gene lnu(I): From environmental reservoirs to pathogenic bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance remains an utmost concern in human and veterinary medicine, impacting humans, animals, and the environment while significantly influencing the principles of One Health. While Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer) is recognized as a waterfowl pathogen with multidrug-resistant properties, the specifics of its lincosamide resistance mechanism are inadequately understood. In this study, we identified a novel lincosamide resistance gene, lnu(I), in R. anatipestifer RCAD0121, and investigated its potential origin, transfer mechanisms, and dissemination status through genomic epidemiology. This exhibited 74.80 % amino acid identity with a previously reported gene, lnu(H). PCR analysis revealed lnu(I) prevalence in at least 44 R. anatipestifer isolates collected from multiple provinces in China. Furthermore, genomic mining unveiled 56 lnu(I) sequences within publicly available databases, primarily originating from environmental sources. In addition, members of the family Flavobacteriaceae were the dominant (16/56, 28.57 %) bacteria carrying the lnu(I) gene, with Flavobacterium exhibiting a similar GC content as lnu(I). Notably, specific instances of the lnu(I) gene were linked to mobile genetic elements within human and animal pathogenic bacteria. These findings suggest that Flavobacterium species within the environment could serve as potential ancestral sources of the novel lnu(I) gene, which has undergone mobilization events toward pathogenic bacteria.

Flavobacterium potami sp. nov., a multi-metal resistance genes harbouring bacterium isolated from shallow river silt

Environmental pollution by heavy metals is becoming an increasing problem and has become a matter of great concern due to the adverse effects worldwide. In this study, we report a novel strain of multi-metal resistant bacteria. A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, yellow, rod-shaped strain 17A^T, was isolated from the shallow silt of Fuyang River located in Longdian town, Hengshui city, Hebei province, China. Strain 17A^T grew at 20-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5-10 (optimum, pH 7) and 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%). Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 17A^T was closely related to members of the genus Flavobacterium, and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with 'Flavobacterium panacis' DCY106^T (97.5%), followed by Flavobacterium johnsoniae subsp. johnsoniae UW101^T (97.3%), Flavobacterium cutihirudinis E89^T (97.2%), Flavobacterium limi THG-AG6.4^T (97.2%), Flavobacterium hibisci THG-HG1.4^T (97.2%) and Flavobacterium johnsoniae subsp. aurantiacum DSM 6792^T (97.1%). The genome size of strain 17A^T was 5.4 Mb and the DNA G + C content was 34.0%. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values among strain 17A^T and reference strains were in the ranges of 79.8-86.1%, 24.1-31.4% and 80.5-88.6%, respectively, lower than the threshold values for species delineation. Strain 17A^T contained iso-C_15:0 and C_16:0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acids (≥ 10%). The main isoprenoid quinone of strain 17A^T was identified as MK-6. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids and six unidentified lipids. Comparative genomics analysis between strain 17A^T and its reference type strains revealed that there are a number of metal-resistant genes in strain 17A^T, which are located in 15 gene clusters responsible for the copper homeostasis, cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance, copper resistance, and arsenic/antimony resistance, with the copper resistance protein NlpE being unique to 17A^T. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic studies demonstrated that strain 17A^T is a representative of a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium potami sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 17A^T (= GDMCC 1.2723^T = JCM 34833^T).

Epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis reveals Flavobacteriaceae as potential ancestral source of tigecycline resistance gene tet(X)

Emergence of tigecycline-resistance tet(X) gene orthologues rendered tigecycline ineffective as last-resort antibiotic. To understand the potential origin and transmission mechanisms of these genes, we survey the prevalence of tet(X) and its orthologues in 2997 clinical E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates collected nationwide in China with results showing very low prevalence on these two types of strains, 0.32% and 0%, respectively. Further surveillance of tet(X) orthologues in 3692 different clinical Gram-negative bacterial strains collected during 1994–2019 in hospitals in Zhejiang province, China reveals 106 (2.7%) tet(X)-bearing strains with Flavobacteriaceae being the dominant (97/376, 25.8%) bacteria. In addition, tet(X)s are found to be predominantly located on the chromosomes of Flavobacteriaceae and share similar GC-content as Flavobacteriaceae. It also further evolves into different orthologues and transmits among different species. Data from this work suggest that Flavobacteriaceae could be the potential ancestral source of the tigecycline resistance gene tet(X).

Emergence of tigecycline-resistance tet(X) genes is of concern. Here, the authors determine tet(X) prevalence in more than 6,000 clinical Gram-negative bacterial isolates collected between 1994 to 2019 in hospitals in China and suggest that Flavobacteriaceae could be the potential ancestral source of the tigecycline resistance genes.

Flavobacterium ureilyticum sp. nov., a novel urea hydrolysing bacterium isolated from stream bank soil

A novel bacterium designated S-42^T was isolated from stream bank soil. Cells were found to be aerobic, Gram staining-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and yellow-pigmented. The strain can grow at 15-35 °C, pH 6.0-10.0, and at 0.5% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Urea was hydrolysed. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain S-42^T formed a lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes that is distinct from various species of the genus Flavobacterium, including Flavobacterium maotaiense T9^T (97.6% sequence similarity), Flavobacterium hibernum ATCC 51468^T (97.4%), and Flavobacterium granuli Kw05^T (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequences identity between strain S-42^T and other members of the genus Flavobacterium were < 97.0%. Strain S-42^T contains MK-6 as sole respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_{16: 1}ω6c), C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, and iso-C_15:1 G. The DNA G + C content of the strain was 35.8 mol%. The polyphasic characterization indicated that strain S-42^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ureilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-42^T (= KEMB 9005-537^T = KACC 19115^T = NBRC 112683^T).

Glitter-like iridescence within the bacteroidetes especially Cellulophaga spp.: optical properties and correlation with gliding motility

Iridescence results from structures that generate color. Iridescence of bacterial colonies has recently been described and illustrated. The glitter-like iridescence class, created especially for a few strains of Cellulophaga lytica, exhibits an intense iridescence under direct illumination. Such color appearance effects were previously associated with other bacteria from the Bacteroidetes phylum, but without clear elucidation and illustration. To this end, we compared various bacterial strains to which the iridescent trait was attributed. All Cellulophaga species and additional Bacteroidetes strains from marine and terrestrial environments were investigated. A selection of bacteria, mostly marine in origin, were found to be iridescent. Although a common pattern of reflected wavelengths was recorded for the species investigated, optical spectroscopy and physical measurements revealed a range of different glitter-like iridescence intensity and color profiles. Importantly, gliding motility was found to be a common feature of all iridescent colonies. Dynamic analyses of “glitter” formation at the edges of C. lytica colonies showed that iridescence was correlated with layer superposition. Both gliding motility, and unknown cell-to-cell communication processes, may be required for the establishment, in time and space, of the necessary periodic structures responsible for the iridescent appearance of Bacteroidetes.

The taxonomy, ecology and cultivation of bacterial genera belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae

The group known as the 'flavobacteria' has previously been regarded as synonymous with the genus Flavobacterium. Today, however, flavobacteria refers to the family Flavobacteriaceae comprising 10 genera. This review deals with the rapid changes in the taxonomy of these bacteria, especially over the last decade. It also briefly reviews the ecology of the genera in this family and describes the media that have been utilized in the general and selective cultivation of these organisms.

DNA base composition of Cytophaga marinoflava n. sp. determined by buoyant density measurements in cesium chloride

A marine bacterium, NCMB 397, host strain for bacteriophages NCMB 384 and 385, has been subjected to taxonoinic analysis. Overall base composition of the highly purified deoxyribonucleic acid was determined and found to be 37 moles % guanine + cytosine. The phenetic and nucleic acid data suggest significant relationship of this strain and members of the genus Cytophaga. A description of Cytophaga marinoflava n. sp. is presented.

STUDIES ON A SOIL ACHROMOBACTER WHICH DEGRADES 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID

Cells of an Achromobacter sp. possess what appears to be an adaptive system that is capable of oxidizing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The 2,4-D oxidizing system was most active at 30 °C. at pH 6.0 or lower, and in barbital buffer. The organism can oxidize a wide variety of 2,4-D analogues, and 2,4-dichloroplienol without prior adaptation, making analysis of mechanisms difficult. For rates of oxidation comparable with that of 2,4-D the organism appeared to have the following structural requirements: a free ortho position and, more important, an unchlorinated ortho position; a free carboxyl group on the side chain preferably β to the ethereal linkage; a chlorine atom in the para position and no more than two chlorine atoms in the ring whether or not an ortho position is free. Proposed and established pathways for the degradation of 2,4-D are presented and a possible new pathway involving 2,4-dichloroanisole is suggested.

Some morphological and biochemical characteristics of a soil bacterium which decomposes 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

A new Achromobacter species which decomposed 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), apparently to small molecules, was isolated from a soil treated with successive closes of the herbicide. The organism grew poorly or not at all on common laboratory media in the presence or absence of 2,4-D. Investigation of its carbon, nitrogen, mineral, and vitamin requirements in agar containing 2,4-D showed that the best growth stimulants were the dicarboxylic acids of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, bicarbonate, formate, urea, and L-histidine. Calcium or magnesium and probably iron were required for maximum growth. Some aryloxy acids, phenolic compounds, and an ester were tested for their ability to replace 2,4-D as growth substrate or to inhibit growth in the presence of 2, 4-D, and it was found that the ethyl ester of 2,4-D and chlorophenolic substances were most toxic. Only 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and less readily, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, phenoxyacetic acid, and resorcinol could substitute for 2,4-D. Good cell multiplication and herbicide decomposition were obtained in an aerated mineral salts medium containing 2,4-D, yeast extract, and 0.005 ML-malic acid. Maximum growth (ca. 109cells/ml.) occurred in 4 to 5 days and 2,4-D decomposition was essentially complete in 6 to 7 days. Resting cells were able to oxidize 2,4-D, MCPA, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and to release 94% of the 2,4-D chlorine as chloride. High concentrations of yeast extract caused growing cells to accumulate 2,4-DCP.