Streptococcus ovis sp, nov., isolated from sheep

Seven strains of an unknown Gram-positive catalase-negative chain-forming c occus-shaped organism isolated from clinical specimens from sheep were char acterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rR NA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the bacterium represents a new sub-line within the genus Streptococcus, The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from recognized streptococcal species by biochemical tests a nd electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic a nd phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classi fied as Streptococcus ovis sp, nov. The type strain of Streptococcus ovis i s CCUG 39485(T) (= LMG 19174(T)).