Characterization of a Gemella-like organism from the oral cavity of a dog:description of Gemella palaticanis sp nov.

A hitherto unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobi c coccus isolated from a vesicle on the gum of a dog was characterized by p henotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequen cing studies demonstrated that the isolate represents a new subline within the genus Gemella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from all currently described members of this genus, Gemella haemolysans, Gemella be rgeri, Gemella morbillorum and Gemella sanguinis, by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenet ic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be cl assified as Gemella palaticanis sp. nov. The type strain of Gemella palatic anis is CCUG 39489(T).