Rhodococcus agglutinans sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a soil sample.

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore forming strain, designated CFH S0262(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Catba island in Halong Bay, Vietnam. A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomic position of this new isolate. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain CFH S0262(T) belongs to the genus Rhodococcus and clustered with Rhodococcus soli DSD51W(T), Rhodococcus hoagii NBRC 103062(T), Rhodococcus defluvii Call(T) and Rhodococcus kunmingensis YIM 45607(T) (98.7, 98.5, 97.9 and 97.6% similarities, respectively). Strain CFH S0262(T) could grow in the presence of NaCl (0-4%, optimum 0-3%), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 10-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The predominant menaquinones of strain CFH S0262(T) were identified as MK-8 (H2) and MK-8 (H4). The major fatty acids (≥10%) were found to be C(16:0) and C(18:1)ω9c. The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, a glycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 71.4 mol%. Based on a comparative analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, in combination with low values of DNA-DNA hybridization between strain CFH S0262(T) and its closest neighbours, it is proposed that strain CFH S0262(T) represents a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus agglutinans sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain CFH S0262(T) (=CCTCC AB2014297(T)=KCTC 39118(T)).

[Genetic damages in somatic and germ cells from patients of benzene poisoning, asbestosis and gas poisoning.].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the extent of genetic damages in somatic and germ cells from patients of benzene poisoning, silicosis and gas poisoning, which may provide clues for protection and reproductive healthcare. METHODS: 174 patients with three types of occupational disease (including 48 with benzene poisoning, 71 with silicosis and 55 with gas poisoning) and 80 healthy controls had their aberrant chromosome and micronuclei rates measured with routine methods. Male patients also had their sperm samples measured for sperm abnormities and de novo mutations. RESULTS: The aberrant chromosome rate, micro-nuclei rate and sperm abnormity were as followed: benzene poisoning 0.4%, 1.52 per thousand, (62 +/- 14%), silicosis 0.51%, 2.31 per thousand, (41 +/- 7%), harmful gas poisoning 0.42%, 1.55 per thousand, (48 +/- 8%), all being significantly higher than those of the controls [0.20%, 0.34 per thousand, (27 +/- 5)%]. The aberrant chromosome and micro-nuclei rates of silicosis group were higher than other two groups, but without statistical significance. Sperm abnormity of benzene poisoning group was significantly higher than that of other groups. In addition, de novo mutations in sperm of benzene poisoning group were detected. CONCLUSION: Patients with the studied occupational diseases not only have genetic damage in their somatic cells, but also acquire de novo mutations in germ cells.