Characterization of a Gemella-like organism from the oral cavity of a dog: description of Gemella palaticanis sp. nov.

A hitherto unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus isolated from a vesicle on the gum of a dog was characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the isolate represents a new subline within the genus Gemella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from all currently described members of this genus, Gemella haemolysans, Gemella bergeri, Gemella morbillorum and Gemella sanguinis, by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Gemella palaticanis sp. nov. The type strain of Gemella palaticanis is CCUG 39489T.