Weeksella zoohelcum sp. nov. (Formerly group IIj), from human clinical specimens

Abstract

Summary A new species, Weeksella zoohelcum, is proposed. Each of the 30 strains placed in the new species was examined for 130 characteristics, including reactions in 58 enzyme tests (API ZYM System). These bacteria are rod-shaped, aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile and non-saccharolytic. The mean G+C content of the DNA of four representative strains is 35.7±0.8 mol%. DNAs from nine strains tested showed a mean relatedness of 82% to labelled DNA from the type strain, D658 (= NCTC 11660). Most strains of the new species were isolated from human clinical specimens of which wounds, generally resulting from dog-bites, were the most common source.