Enterococcus porcinus sp nov and Enterococcus ratti sp nov., associated with enteric disorders in animals

Recent insights have been brought to the taxonomy of the genus Enterococcus by studies applying whole-cell protein analysis and DNA-DNA reassociation experiments, in addition to conventional physiological tests. Using these t echniques, a group of 10 strains resembling the physiological group III of enterococcal species was characterized. Five strains were recovered from pi gs and five from rats with enteric disorders. On the basis of the results o f conventional physiological tests, the most likely identity of these strai ns was Enterococcus durans or Enterococcus hirae. Analysis of the electroph oretic whole-cell protein profiles showed two distinct clusters of virtuall y indistinguishable profiles: one composed of strains isolated from pigs, a nd one composed of strains isolated from rats. These protein profiles were not similar to the profiles of any previously described Enterococcus specie s. The results of DNA-DNA relatedness experiments were consistent with the results of the protein-profile analysis. The high levels of DNA relatedness found for pig isolates demonstrated that they belong to a new enterococcal species, for which the designation Enterococcus porcinus sp. nov. is propo sed (type strain = DS 1390-83(T) = ATCC 700913(T) = CCUG 43229(T) = NCIMB 1 3634(T)). Strains isolated from rats were found to comprise another new spe cies, for which the designation Enterococcus ratti sp. nov. is proposed (ty pe strain = DS 2705-87(T) = ATCC 700914(T) = CCUG 43228(T) = NCIMB 13635(T) ). This report provides data on the phenotypic and genotypic characterizati on of these two new enterococcal species, which may represent diarrhoeageni c pathogens for animals.