Veillonella Tobetsuensis Sp. Nov., an Anaerobic, Gram-negative Coccus Isolated from Human Tongue Biofilms

Four previously unknown, gram-negative, anaerobic coccal strains were isolated from the tongue biofilm of healthy human adults (ages 22-29 years). The isolates displayed all phenotypic characteristics of the genus Veillonella. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA, dnaK and rpoB gene sequences indicated that the four strains were phylogenetically homogeneous and comprised a distinct novel lineage within the genus Veillonella. The production of major cellular fatty acids (C13 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8) was consistent with that of other members of the genus Veillonella. Based on these observations, strains B16(T), A16, B4 and Y6 represent a novel species, for which the name Veillonella tobetsuensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain B16(T) ( = JCM 17976(T) = ATCC BAA-2400(T)).