SGM Journals
Research Article

Assignment of Centers for Disease Control group IVc-2 to the genus Ralstonia as Ralstonia paucula sp. nov.

Vandamme, P., Goris, J., Coenye, T., Hoste, B., Janssens, D., Kersters, K., De Vos, P., Falsen, E.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 1999; 49(2):663 · https://doi.org/10.1099/00207713-49-2-663

Download PDF View at publisher

Summary auto-generated

This study identified and formally named a previously uncharacterized bacterial taxon known as CDC group IVc-2. Using integrated genotypic and phenotypic analysis of 12 strains, researchers determined that these organisms represent a novel species within the genus Ralstonia. Comparative 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing confirmed the strains belong to the Ralstonia branch of β-Proteobacteria. DNA-DNA hybridization showed no significant binding to known Ralstonia species, with DNA base composition of 65-67 mol% G+C. The bacteria are Gram-negative, non-fermentative rods that were differentiated from other Ralstonia species through whole-cell protein analysis, amplified rDNA restriction analysis, and biochemical testing. The researchers propose the name Ralstonia paucula sp. nov., with strain LMG 3244 (isolated from human respiratory tract) designated as the type strain. R. paucula has been isolated from diverse sources including human clinical specimens (blood, wounds, sputum, urine) and environmental samples (pool water, groundwater, bottled mineral water), though infections typically occur in immunocompromised patients.

Key findings

  • CDC group IVc-2 strains represent a novel Ralstonia species, formally named Ralstonia paucula sp. nov., confirmed through 16S rDNA sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization
  • R. paucula is distinguishable from other Ralstonia species by whole-cell protein electrophoresis patterns, ARDRA analysis, and phenotypic characteristics including urease activity, Tween 80 hydrolysis, and specific nutrient assimilation patterns
  • Strains have been isolated from both human clinical sources (respiratory tract, wounds, blood, urine) and environmental sources (mineral water, groundwater, pool water)
  • DNA base composition is 65-67 mol% G+C, consistent with the Ralstonia genus range, and the organism is non-fermentative and catalase/oxidase positive

This summary was generated automatically from the article PDF and is not part of the original publication. Refer to the PDF for the authoritative text.

Abstract

An integrated genotypic and phenotypic analysis of 12 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) group IVc-2 strains revealed that this taxon represents a novel species belonging to the genus Ralstonia. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis allocated a representative CDC group IVc-2 strain to the Ralstonia branch of the β subclass of the Proteobacteria. DNA-DNA hybridizations did not detect significant binding levels towards any presently known Ralstonia species, including Ralstonia pickettii. Its DNA base ratio is between 65 and 67 mol%. The name Ralstonia paucula sp. nov. is proposed, with strain LMG 3244 (= CDC E6793), isolated from a human respiratory tract, as the type strain. R. paucula can be differentiated from other Ralstonia species by whole-cell protein analysis, amplified rDNA restriction analysis and a variety of classical biochemical tests. Strains have been isolated from various human clinical and environmental sources.