Phylogenetic analysis of some Aerococcus-like organisms from clinical sources: description of Helcococcus kunzii gen. nov., sp. nov.

16S rRNA gene sequencing studies were performed on some unusual gram-positive catalase-negative cocci of unknown taxonomic position isolated from human clinical sources. Comparative analysis of the sequence data demonstrated that the clinical isolates represent a hitherto-unknown line of descent within the low-G+C-content gram-positive bacteria. On the basis of the phylogenetic findings and the phenotypic distinctiveness of the organisms, it is proposed that they be classified in a new genus, Helcococcus, as Helcococcus kunzii sp. nov. The type strain of H. kunzii is NCFB 2900.