Brevibacterium renqingii sp. nov., isolated from the Daqu of Baijiu.

Two bacterial strains, designated REN4T and REN4-1, were isolated from daqu sample collected from baijiu factory located in Shanxi, China. The two strains shared highly similar 16S rRNA gene sequences (99.67% identities) and formed a monophyletic clade within the Brevibacterium 16S rRNA gene tree, showing 97.56-97.85% 16S rRNA gene sequence identities with type strains Brevibacterium permense VKM Ac-2280 T, Brevibacterium sediminis FXJ8.269 T, Brevibacterium oceani BBH7T and Brevibacterium epidermidis NCIMB 702286 T. They contained MK-8(H2) as the most predominant menaquinone, antesio-C15:0, antesio-C17:0, Iso-C16:0 and Iso-C17:0 as the major cellular fatty acids, DPG (diphosphatidylglycerol), PG (phosphatidylglycerol), PGL (phosphatidylglycerollipids), and PL (phospholipids) as the main polar lipids. The genomic DNA G + C content of strains REN4 and REN4-1 were 64.35, 65.82 mol%. Moreover, the low DNA-DNA relatedness values, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and taxonomic analysis allowed the differentiation of strains REN4T and REN4-1 from the other recognized species of the genus Brevibacterium. Therefore, strain REN4T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium renqingii sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain REN4T (= JCM 33953 T = KCTC 49366 T).

Brevibacterium profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Western Pacific Ocean.

A new Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated O1T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment of the Western Pacific Ocean. Strain O1T showed optimal growth at 30 °C, between pH 6.0 and 8.0, and in the presence of 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8 (H2), and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unknown glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain O1T was 64.9 mol% and the genome size was 4.17 Mb. Based on a similarity search and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain O1T belonged to the genus Brevibacterium. The values of average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization between strain O1T and its close relatives were well below the thresholds used for the delineation of a new species. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as the genotypic data, it is proposed that strain O1T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium profundi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is O1T (=JCM 33845T=MCCC 1A16744T).

Brevibacterium rongguiense sp. nov., isolated from freshwater sediment.

A Gram stain-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile and rod-shaped actinomycete, strain 5221T, was isolated from the sediment of a river collected at Ronggui in the Pearl River Delta, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus Brevibacterium and had the highest sequence similarity to Brevibacterium pityocampae Tp12T (96.7 %), followed by Brevibacterium daeguense 2C6-41T (96.5 %), Brevibacterium samyangense SST-8T (96.0 %) and Brevibacterium ravenspurgense 20T (95.9 %). The results of chemotaxonomic analyses, including detecting anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, and C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and three phosphoglycolipids as the polar lipids, MK-8(H2) as the major menaquinone, and a DNA G+C content of 72.4 mol%, supported that strain 5221T is a member of the genus Brevibacterium. Furthermore, low sequence similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences, differences in fatty acid compositions and differential physiological characteristics such as enzyme activity and carbon sources utilization ability distinguished the isolate from its close relatives. Therefore, strain 5221T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium rongguiense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 5221T (=GDMCC 1.1766T=KACC 21700T).

Brevibacterium hankyongi sp. nov., isolated from compost.

A Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, non-motile, milky-white to creamy coloured and rod-shaped bacterium, designated BS05T, was isolated from compost. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus Brevibacterium and was most closely related to Brevibacterium avium NCFB 3055T (96.3 %), Brevibacterium oceani BBH7T (96.2 %) and Brevibacterium epidermidis NBRC 14811T (96.1 %). The DNA G+C content was 62.3 mol%. The predominant quinone was MK-8(H2). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain BS05T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylglycerol. Moreover, the low sequence similarity of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic analyses allowed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain BS05T from the recognized species of the genus Brevibacterium. Therefore, strain BS05T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacteriumhankyongi sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain BS05T (=KACC 18875T=LMG 29562T).

Brevibacterium anseongense sp. nov., isolated from soil of ginseng field.

Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, pale-yellow, and rodshaped bacterium, designated as Gsoil 188T, was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon, South Korea. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus Brevibacterium and was most closely related to B. epidermidis NBRC 14811T (98.4%), B. sediminis FXJ8.269T (98.2%), B. avium NCFB 3055T (98.1%), and B. oceani BBH7T (98.1%), while it shared less than 98.1% identity with the other species of this genus. The DNA G + C content was 68.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was MK-8(H2). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain Gsoil 188T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified aminolipid. The physiological and biochemical characteristics, low DNA-DNA relatedness values, and taxonomic analysis allowed the differentiation of strain Gsoil 188T from the other recognized species of the genus Brevibacterium. Therefore, strain Gsoil 188T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium anseongense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 188T (= KACC 19439T = LMG 30331T).

Brevibacterium sediminis sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediments from the Carlsberg and Southwest Indian Ridges.

Three actinobacterial strains, FXJ8.128, FXJ8.269T and FXJ8.309, were isolated from deep-sea sediments collected from the Carlsberg Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge at depths of 3690, 1800 and 2461 m, respectively. The three strains had highly similar 16S rRNA gene sequences (99.8-99.9 % identities) and formed a monophyletic clade within the Brevibacterium 16S rRNA gene tree, showing 98.2-98.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identities with type strains Brevibacterium epidermidis NCIMB 702286T, Brevibacterium iodinum DSM 20626T, Brevibacterium linens DSM 20425T, Brevibacterium oceani BBH7T and Brevibacterium permense VKM Ac-2280T. All three isolates showed activity towards the breakdown of pectin and fluoranthene. They contained MK-8(H2) as the most predominant menaquinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and a glycolipd as the main polar lipids, and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Moreover, the three isolates were distinguished readily from the phylogenetically related type strains by DNA-DNA hybridization values, by random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprint profiles and by a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. On the basis of the above polyphasic taxonomic data, strains FXJ8.128, FXJ8.269T and FXJ8.309 represent a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ8.269T (=CGMCC 1.15472T=DSM 102229T).

Halotolerant bacteria in the São Paulo Zoo composting process and their hydrolases and bioproducts

Halophilic microorganisms are able to grow in the presence of salt and are also excellent source of enzymes and biotechnological products, such as exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Salt-tolerant bacteria were screened in the Organic Composting Production Unit (OCPU) of São Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, which processes 4 ton/day of organic residues including plant matter from the Atlantic Rain Forest, animal manure and carcasses and mud from water treatment. Among the screened microorganisms, eight halotolerant bacteria grew at NaCl concentrations up to 4 M. These cultures were classified based on phylogenetic characteristics and comparative partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Brevibacterium. The results of this study describe the ability of these halotolerant bacteria to produce some classes of hydrolases, namely, lipases, proteases, amylases and cellulases, and biopolymers. The strain characterized as of Brevibacterium avium presented cellulase and amylase activities up to 4 M NaCl and also produced EPSs and PHAs. These results indicate the biotechnological potential of certain microorganisms recovered from the composting process, including halotolerant species, which have the ability to produce enzymes and biopolymers, offering new perspectives for environmental and industrial applications.

The first reported catheter-related Brevibacterium casei bloodstream infection in a child with acute leukemia and review of the literature

Brevibacterium spp. are catalase-positive, non-spore-forming, non motile, aerobic Gram- positive rods that were considered apathogenic until a few reports of infections in immunocompromised patients had been published. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. casei catheter-related bloodstream infection in a child with acute leukemia. We aim to enhance the awareness of pediatric hematology and infectious disease specialists about this pathogen and review of the literature.

The first reported catheter-related Brevibacterium casei bloodstream infection in a child with acute leukemia and review of the literature.

Brevibacterium spp. are catalase-positive, non-spore-forming, non motile, aerobic Gram-positive rods that were considered apathogenic until a few reports of infections in immunocompromised patients had been published. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. casei catheter-related bloodstream infection in a child with acute leukemia. We aim to enhance the awareness of pediatric hematology and infectious disease specialists about this pathogen and review of the literature.

Plant growth promoting bacteria from Crocus sativus rhizosphere.

Present study deals with the isolation of rhizobacteria and selection of plant growth promoting bacteria from Crocus sativus (Saffron) rhizosphere during its flowering period (October-November). Bacterial load was compared between rhizosphere and bulk soil by counting CFU/gm of roots and soil respectively, and was found to be ~40 times more in rhizosphere. In total 100 bacterial isolates were selected randomly from rhizosphere and bulk soil (50 each) and screened for in-vitro and in vivo plant growth promoting properties. The randomly isolated bacteria were identified by microscopy, biochemical tests and sequence homology of V1-V3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Polyphasic identification categorized Saffron rhizobacteria and bulk soil bacteria into sixteen different bacterial species with Bacillus aryabhattai (WRF5-rhizosphere; WBF3, WBF4A and WBF4B-bulk soil) common to both rhizosphere as well as bulk soil. Pseudomonas sp. in rhizosphere and Bacillus and Brevibacterium sp. in the bulk soil were the predominant genera respectively. The isolated rhizobacteria were screened for plant growth promotion activity like phosphate solubilization, siderophore and indole acetic acid production. 50 % produced siderophore and 33 % were able to solubilize phosphate whereas all the rhizobacterial isolates produced indole acetic acid. The six potential PGPR showing in vitro activities were used in pot trial to check their efficacy in vivo. These bacteria consortia demonstrated in vivo PGP activity and can be used as PGPR in Saffron as biofertilizers.This is the first report on the isolation of rhizobacteria from the Saffron rhizosphere, screening for plant growth promoting bacteria and their effect on the growth of Saffron plant.

Brevibacterium daeguense sp. nov., a nitrate-reducing bacterium isolated from a 4-chlorophenol enrichment culture.

A Gram-reaction-positive, non-spore-forming, aerobic actinobacterial strain (2C6-41(T)) was isolated from the activated sludge from an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Daegu, South Korea. Its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, closest phylogenetic relatives to strain 2C6-41(T) were Brevibacterium pityocampae DSM 21720(T) (97.2 %), Brevibacterium salitolerans KCTC 19616(T) (96.7 %), Brevibacterium album KCTC 19173(T) (96.2 %) and Brevibacterium samyangense KCCM 42316(T) (96.2 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 2C6-41(T) was 66.4 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data, which included MK-8(H(2)) as the major menaquinone; meso-diaminopimelic acid, glutamic acid and alanine as cell-wall amino acids; ribose, mannose and glucose as major cell-wall sugars; and anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0), C(16 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0) as major fatty acids, supported the affiliation of strain 2C6-41(T) to the genus Brevibacterium. The aromatic ring cleavage enzyme catechol 1,2-dioxygenase was not detected in strain 2C6-41(T), but catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was detected. The results of physiological and biochemical tests, and the low level of DNA-DNA relatedness to the closest phylogenetic relative enabled strain 2C6-41(T) to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Brevibacterium. The isolate is therefore considered to represent a novel species in the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium daeguense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2C6-41(T) (=KCTC 19800(T) = JCM 17458(T)).

Brevibacterium casei as a cause of brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient.

Coryneform bacteria belonging to the genus Brevibacterium have emerged as opportunistic pathogens. Of the nine known species of Brevibacterium isolated from human clinical samples, Brevibacterium casei is the most frequently reported species from clinical specimens. We report the first case of B. casei brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient successfully treated by surgery and antimicrobial therapy.

FTIR-based polyphasic identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Greek Graviera cheese.

This study used a combination of phenotypic, physical (Fourier Transformed Infra-Red [FTIR] spectroscopy) and molecular (RFLP and SSCP analysis of 16S rRNA genes) methods to identify the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) flora present in traditional Greek Graviera cheese after five weeks of ripening. A total of 300 isolates collected from high dilution plates of TSAYE (incubated at 30 °C), M-17 (22 °C) and M-17 (42 °C) agar media were clustered by FTIR and then representative strains of each cluster were cross-identified blindly by all methods. Based on their FTIR spectra, 282 isolates were LAB grouped in 28 clusters. The LAB species identified and their prevalence in the cheese samples were: Lactobacillus casei/paracasei (68.8%), Lactobacillus plantarum (19.5%), Streptococcus thermophilus (8.9%), Enterococcus faecium (2.1%), and Lactococcus lactis (0.7%). Also, Staphylococcus equorum (11 isolates), Corynebacterium sp. (5 isolates) and Brevibacterium sp. (1 isolate) were recovered from TSAYE. Comparative identification results showed that phenotypic and molecular methods were in mutual agreement as regards the LAB species identified. The present polyphasic identification approach based on rapid FTIR screening of 10-fold more isolates than a previous classical identification approach allowed or improved detection of few sub-dominant species; however the predominant LAB species in the cheese samples were the same with both approaches.

Brevibacterium salitolerans sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from salt-lake sediment.

A novel bacterium, designated TRM 415(T), belonging to the genus Brevibacterium, was isolated from a sediment sample from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM 415(T) was phylogenetically most closely related to Brevibacterium album YIM 90718(T) (98.4 % sequence similarity) and had low similarity (<95.5 %) to other species of the genus Brevibacterium; however, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 415(T) and B. album YIM 90718(T) showed only 41.3 % relatedness. Strain TRM 415(T) possessed meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, MK-8(H(2)) as the major menaquinone and polar lipids including phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(17 : 0) and anteiso-C(15 : 0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 69 mol%. Based on the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 415(T) represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium salitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 415(T) (=JCM 15900(T) =CCTCC AB 208328(T) =KCTC 19616(T)).

Brevibacterium pityocampae sp. nov., isolated from caterpillars of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera, Thaumetopoeidae).

This work deals with the taxonomic study of a bacterium, strain Tp12(T), isolated from caterpillars of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775; Lepidoptera, Thaumetopoeidae). The isolate was assigned to the genus Brevibacterium on the basis of a polyphasic taxonomic study, including morphological and biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid analysis and DNA G+C content. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to this isolate was approximately 96 %, with the type strains of Brevibacterium album and Brevibacterium samyangense. Cellular fatty acids of the isolate are of the branched type, with the major components being anteiso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. Although the strain was related to B. album and B. samyangense according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it differed from any known species of Brevibacterium. Based on this evidence, the novel species Brevibacterium pityocampae sp. nov. is proposed, with strain Tp12(T) (=DSM 21720(T) =NCCB 100255(T)) as the type strain.

Brevibacterium album sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a saline soil in China.

A novel Gram-positive, rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 90718(T), was isolated from a saline soil in Xinjiang province, north-west China, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. The peptidoglycan type was A1gamma and the cell-wall sugars contained galactose. Phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H(2)). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). All of these chemotaxonomic data assigned the new isolate YIM 90718(T) consistently to the genus Brevibacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 90718(T) formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Brevibacterium and showed the highest sequence similarity (96.2 %) to Brevibacterium samyangense SST-8(T) and low similarity (<95.5 %) to other species of the genus Brevibacterium. On the based of the polyphasic evidence, a novel species, Brevibacterium album sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain YIM 90718(T) (=DSM 18261(T) =KCTC 19173(T) =CCTCC AB 206112(T)).

Brevibacterium samyangense sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a beach sediment.

A novel actinomycete, strain SST-8(T), was isolated from sand sediment of Samyang Beach in Jeju, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The organism, which produced opaque, circular, yellow colonies, with a coryneform morphology, showed the following chemotaxonomic characteristics: meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid in the peptidoglycan, MK-8(H(2)) as the major menaquinone, phosphatidylglycerol as the only polar lipid, anteiso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0) as major fatty acids and a DNA G+C content of 70.7 mol%. The combination of morphological and chemotaxonomic features supported its classification in the genus Brevibacterium. Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence studies, showed that strain SST-8(T) formed an intermediate branch between the Brevibacterium luteolum/Brevibacterium otitidis and Brevibacterium mcbrellneri/Brevibacterium paucivorans clusters. Sequence similarity calculations based on a neighbour-joining analysis revealed that the closest relatives of strain SST-8(T) were the type strains of B. paucivorans (96.6 %), B. luteolum (96.5 %), B. mcbrellneri (96.3 %), Brevibacterium avium (96.0 %) and B. otitidis (95.9 %). Based on a broad set of phenotypic and genetic data, it was evident that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium. The name Brevibacterium samyangense sp. nov. is proposed, with SST-8(T) (=NRRL B-41420(T)=KCCM 42316(T)) as the type strain.

Intraspecific diversity of Brevibacterium linens, Corynebacterium glutamicum and Rhodococcus erythropolis based on partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

The intraspecific diversity of 31 strains of Brevibacterium linens, 27 strains of Corynebacterium glutamicum and 29 strains of Rhodococcus erythropolis was determined by partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. As a prerequisite for the analyses, 27 strains derived from culture collections which had carried invalid or wrong species designations were reclassified in accordance with polyphasic taxonomical data. FT-IR spectroscopy proved to be a rapid and reliable method for screening for similar isolates and for identifying these actinomycetes at the species level. Two main conclusions emerged from the analyses. (1) Comparison of intraspecific 16S rDNA similarities suggested that R. erythropolis strains have a very low diversity, B. linens displays high diversity and C. glutamicum occupies an intermediate position. (2) No correlation of FT-IR spectral similarity and 16S rDNA sequence similarity below the species level (i.e. between strains of one species) was observed. Therefore, diversification of 16S rDNA sequences and microevolutionary change of the cellular components detected by FT-IR spectroscopy appear to be de-coupled.

Brevibacterium avium sp. nov., isolated from poultry.

Two strains of a Brevibacterium-like bacterium originating from bumble-foot lesions of domestic fowls were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The phenotypic characteristics of the bacterium were consistent with its assignment to the genus Brevibacterium although comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the organism represents a distinct subline within the genus. Chromosomal DNA-DNA pairing studies confirmed that the unidentified bacterium was genomically distinct and worthy of separate species status. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic distinctiveness of the bacterium from poultry, a new species, Brevibacterium avium, is proposed. The type strain of Brevibacterium avium is NCIMB 703055T.