An unusual Streptococcus from human urine, Streptococcus urinalis sp nov.

Biochemical, molecular chemical and molecular genetic studies were performe d on an unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming coccus isol ated from the urine of a patient suffering from cystitis. Comparative 16S r RNA gene sequencing showed that the organism is a member of the 'pyogenic s ubgroup' of the genus Streptococcus and has a close affinity with Streptoco ccus pyogenes and Streptococcus canis. The unknown coccus was, however, rea dily distinguished from these species and other streptococci by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phenot ypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium b e classified as a new species of the genus Streptococcus, Streptococcus uri nalis sp. nov. The type strain of Streptococcus urinalis is CCUG 41590(T).