Characterization of a Gemella-like organism isolated from an abscess of a rabbit: description of Gemella cuniculi sp nov.

An unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, ovoid-shaped bacterium isolate d from the submandibular abscess of a rabbit was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated the u nknown coccus represents a new subline within the genus Gemella, The unknow n isolate was readily distinguished from other recognized members of the ge nus Gemella, namely Gemella haemolysans, Gemella bergeri, Gemella morbillor um, Gemella palaticanis and Gemella sanguinis, by biochemical tests and ele ctrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins, Based on both phylogenetic an d phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium is classif ied in the genus Gemella as Gemella cuniculi sp, nov. The type strain is CC UG 42726(T).