Lactobacillus coleohominis sp nov., isolated from human sources

Four strains of a hitherto unrecognized Gram-positive, catalase-negative, f acultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from human sources we re characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparat ive 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the bacterium represents a n ew subline within the Lactobacillus casei/Pediococcus rRNA group of the gen us Lactobacillus. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from all other described Lactobacillus species and related taxa by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylo genetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Lactobacillus coleohominis sp. nov. The type strain of Lac tobacillus coleohominis is CCUG 44007(T) (= CIP 106820(T)).