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To evaluate the resistance to fluoroquinolones in clinical isolates of Gram-positive cocci records of processed culture al the Bacteriological Reference Center of the Autonomous Service University Hospital of Maracaibo during the period January 2011-December 2015, were reviewed. The data was analyzed using WHONETTM software (version 5.6) and IBM® SPSS® Statistics for Windows (version 24). A prevalence of 29.70% was found for Gram-positive cocci (9,292 strains), with 76.18% of isolates corresponding to the genus Staphylococcus (7,072); 15.30% to Enterococcus (1422) and 8.59% to Streptococcus (798). For Staphylococcus, resistance was higher in methicillin-resistant strains. The highest resistance rates were detected in enterococci, especially vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. No resistance to fluoroquinolones was detected in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis strains. Streptococci, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, were mostly sensitive to fluoroquinolones. Most strains of staphylococci and enterococci; presented cross resistance to all tested fluoroquinolones. The distribution of resistance to fluoroquinolones per year of study in each bacterial genus was different. Resistance to fluoroquinolones shows an increasing trend in the three genera of Gram-positive cocci evaluated, Para evaluar la resistencia a fluoroquinolonas en aislamientos clínicos de cocos grampositivos se revisaron los resultados de los cultivos procesados en el Centro de Referencia Bacteriológica del Servicio Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, durante el periodo enero 2011-diciembre 2015. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el software WHONETTM, (versión 5,6) y el IBM® SPSS® Statistics para Windows, (versión 25). Se encontró una prevalencia de 29,70% para los cocos grampositivos (9.292 cepas), correspondiendo el 76,18% de los aislamientos al género Staphylococcus (7.072); 15,30% a Enterococcus (1.422) y 8,59% a Streptococcus (798). Para Staphylococcus, la resistencia fue mayor en cepas resistentes a meticilina. Las tasas de resistencia más elevadas se detectaron en los enterococos, especialmente en Enterococcus faecium resistente a vancomicina. No se detectó resistencia a fluoroquinolonas en las cepas de Enterococcus faecalis resistentes a vancomicina. Los estreptococos, incluyendo Streptococcus pneumoniae, se mostraron, mayormente, sensibles a las fluoroquinolonas. La mayoría de las cepas de estafilococos y enterococos; presentó, resistencia cruzada a todas las fluoroquinolonas probadas. La distribución de la resistencia a las fluoroquinolonas por año de estudio en cada género bacteriano fue diferente. La resistencia a las fluoroquinolonas muestra una tendencia creciente en los tres géneros de cocos grampositivos evaluados

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-Reactive protein (CRP) are well-established sepsis biomarkers. The association of baseline PCT levels and mortality in pneumonia remains unclear, and we still do not know whether biomarkers levels could be related to the causative microorganism (GPC, GNB). The objective of this study is to address these issues. Methods: a retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in 184 Spanish ICUs (2009-2018). Results: 1608 patients with severe influenza pneumonia with PCT and CRP available levels on admission were included, 1186 with primary viral pneumonia (PVP) and 422 with bacterial Co-infection (BC). Those with BC presented higher PCT levels (4.25 [0.6-19.5] versus 0.6 [0.2-2.3]ng/mL) and CRP (36.7 [20.23-118] versus 28.05 [13.3-109]mg/dL) as compared to PVP (p < 0.001). Deceased patients had higher PCT (ng/mL) when compared with survivors, in PVP (0.82 [0.3-2.8]) versus 0.53 [0.19-2.1], p = 0.001) and BC (6.9 [0.93-28.5] versus 3.8 [0.5-17.37], p = 0.039). However, no significant association with mortality was observed in the multivariate analysis. The PCT levels (ng/mL) were significantly higher in polymicrobial infection (8.4) and GPC (6.9) when compared with GNB (1.2) and Aspergillus (1.7). The AUC-ROC of PCT for GPC was 0.67 and 0.32 for GNB. The AUROC of CRP was 0.56 for GPC and 0.39 for GNB. Conclusions: a single PCT/CRP value at ICU admission was not associated with mortality in severe influenza pneumonia. None of the biomarkers have enough discriminatory power to be used for predicting the causative microorganism of the co-infection.

Uvod/cilj U poslednjoj deceniji zabeleženo je povećanje rezistencije Grampozitivnih koka na antibiotike iz grupe makrolida, linkozamida i streptogramina A/B (MLSa/b). Složeni mehanizmi rezistencije na MLS antibiotike uključuju: modifikaciju ribozoma, aktivno izbacivanje antibiotika i modifikaciju antibiotika. Porodica gena odgovornih za kodiranje enzima koji vrše metilaciju ribozoma je označena skraćenicom erm (od engl. erythromycin resistance methylase) i dovode do pojave unakrsne rezistencije na makrolide, linkozamide i streptogramine grupe B (MLSb). Profil rezistencije poznat kao MLSb fenotip može biti: inducibilan (iMLSb) i konstitutivan (cMLSb). Sojevi sa erm posredovanom eritromicin rezistencijom mogu se pokazati osetljivim na klindamicin u rutinskom disk difuzionom testiranju osetljivosti. Ciljevi Utvrditi učestalost fenotipova i gena rezistencije na MLS antibiotike kod Gram-pozitivnih koka na području jugoistočne Srbije. Metode MLS fenotipovi rezistencije: konstitutivni (cMLSb), inducibilni (iMLSb), M/MSb i LSa/b, bili su utvrđeni dupli-disk difuzionom metodom (D-testom). Ispitano je 2366 kliničkih izolata Gram-pozitivnih koka, sakupljenih u toku jednogodišnjeg perioda u Centru za mikrobiologiju Zavoda za javno zdravlje Vranje. Geni koji kodiraju MLSb rezistenciju (ermA, ermB, ermC, msrA, msrB, mefA/E, lnuA, lnuB, lsaA i lsaC) su identifikovani korišćenjem multipleks PCR-a. Rezultati Najveću učestalost rezistencije na eritromicin imali su izolati meticilin-rezistentnih koagulaza-negativnih stafilokoka (MRCNS, 91,5%), zatim meticilin-rezistentnih S. aureus (MRSA, 86,4%) i enterokoka (80,8%). Niža, ali još uvek visoka stopa rezistencije na eritromicin je bila prisutna i kod drugih izolata Gram-pozitivnih koka. Nasuprot makrolidima, izuzev za izolate Enterococcus spp. (96,7%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (35,9%) i MRSA (28,4%), drugi izolati Grampozitivnih koka su pokazali značajno nižu rezistenciju na klindamicin. Otkrili smo da je iMLSb fenotip najučestaliji kod, Introduction The increase of resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin a/b antibiotics (MLSa/b) among Gram-positive cocci has been reported in the last decade. The complex mechanisms of resistance to MLS antibiotics include: modification of ribosome, active efflux of antibiotics and antibiotic inactivation. The gene family called erm (erythromycin resistance methylase) that encoding enzymes responsible for ribosome methylation leads to cross- resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin b (MLSb resistance phenotype). The antimicrobial resistance profile known as MLSb resistance phenotype can be either inducible (iMLSb) and constitutive (cMLSb). Macrolide resistant strains carrying erm gene can show false sensitivity to clindamycin, using routine antimicrobial susceptibility test. Objective This study investigated the prevalence of MLS resistance phenotypes and genes in Gram-positive cocci in region of the Southeast Serbia. Methods MLS resistance phenotypes: constitutive (cMLSb), inducible (iMLSb), M/MSb, and LSa/b, were determined by the double-disk diffusion method. We have analyzed 2366 clinical isolates of Gram-positive cocci, collected during 1-year period at the Center for Microbiology of the Public Health Institute in Vranje, Serbia. The MLS resistance genes (ermA, ermB, ermC, msrA, msrB, mefA/E, lnuA, lnuB, lsaA, and lsaC) were identified by multiplex PCR. Results The highest frequencies of isolates resistant to erythromycin were found among methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS, 91.5%), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, 86.4%) and Enterococcus strains (80.8%). Lower, but still high resistance rate to erythromycin was found among other Gram-positive cocci. Contrary to macrolides, except for Enterococcus spp. (96.7%), S. pneumoniae (35.9%), and MRSA (28.4%), other Gram-positive cocci showed significantly lower resistance to clindamycin. We have found that iMLSb is the most prevalent phenotype in staphyloco

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The antibiotic vancomycin was developed by Eli Lilly in the 1950s in response to the growing number of Staphylococcus aureus infections that were resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin was not widely used at the time because of its high toxicity. However, use of vancomycin in the United States has increased dramatically since the 1980s because of the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. There are three known mechanisms for vancomycin resistance: 1) target site modification by van genes, 2) biofilm formation, and 3) bacterial cell wall thickening. Of these mechanisms, target site modification is the most common. In this study, we analyzed cultivable highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria from the saliva of migratory songbirds, which were captured at the bird banding station at Fort Hays State University in previous work. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The majority of the identified bacteria were Staphylococcus succinus, with the majority being isolated from American Robin, which is commonly found in all of North America. Some of these bacteria carry vanA, vanB, and vanC genes and also have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase-positive which is also considered a strong virulence factor. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a source of vancomycin resistance genes in human pathogens.

The aim of this study was to examine whether Gram-positive cocci isolated from processed poultry in Western Australia provided a potential risk for the transfer of antimicrobial-resistant organisms to humans via commercially prepared ready-to-eat chicken. Research in this study was conducted in three phases: the characterisation of Gram-positive cocci isolated from poultry, an assessment of the isolates' thermal tolerance and the development of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) based food-safety program. In the first phase of the study, three specific objectives were investigated. The first determined the presence of Gram-positive cocci on poultry and on processing equipment from poultry-processing plants. The findings confirm the presence of staphylococci and enterococci on incoming live and slaughtered birds and processed carcasses. The data also indicate that carcasses probably become cross-contaminated during processing, when these bacteria are present on the incoming live birds and equipment. The second objective was to characterise staphylococcal isolates by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and chromosomal and plasmid DNA analysis. The susceptibility of isolates to antimicrobial agents was tested by the disk diffusion method according to the NCCLS (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) guidelines. Isolates were typed by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) gel electrophoresis of SmaI digested chromosomal DNA, and plasmids were isolated by the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Approximately 37% of Staphylococcus aureus and 16% of coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CNS) isolates were resistant to six or more of the antimicrobial agents tested. Many isolates exhibited resistance to antibiotics that are commonly used in human medicine and registered for veterinary use in Australia.Among the S. aureus isolates there were twenty-four epidemiologically unrelated SmaI CHEF groups. All staphylococcal isolate

Twelve healthy male subjects age range 24-40 y participated in the investigation. The trial was divided into 2 35-d periods. The 2 treatment regimens were: (i) 1 x 400 mg moxifloxacin tablet in the morning and 1 placebo tablet in the evening for 7 d; and (ii) 1 x 500 mg clarithromycin tablet in the morning and 1 x 500 mg clarithromycin tablet in the evening for 7 d. Each subject received firstly 1 treatment regimen and secondly the other treatment regimen. The wash-out period was 6 weeks between the two treatment regimens. Moxifloxacin caused significant decreases of enterococci and enterobacteria during the administration period while the numbers of staphylococci, streptococci, Bacillus and Candida were not affected. No impact on peptostreptococci, lactobacilli, Veillonella, Bacteroides or fusobacteria was observed, while bifidobacteria and clostridia decreased during moxifloxacin administration. The microflora was normalized after 35 d. Clarithromycin caused significant reduction of Escherichia coli while the numbers of enterococci, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas increased markedly. No significant changes in the numbers of staphylococci, streptococci, Bacillus and Candida were noticed. In the anaerobic microflora bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and clostridia were suppressed, while no changes in peptostreptococci, Veillonella, Bacteroides and fusobacteria were found. The microflora was normalized in all volunteers after 35 d.

An isolate of a Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain Ben 106T, was obtained in pure culture by micromanipulation of a biomass sample obtained from a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor. This isolate grew axenically as cocci or clusters of cocci arranged in regular tetrads and was morphologically similar to the dominant organism observed in the biomass. This morphology resembled that of some Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and the so-called 'G-bacteria' commonly seen in activated sludge samples. Strain Ben 106T is a non-motile, facultative anaerobe. It is oxidase-negative, catalase-positive and is capable of reducing nitrate. This organism can grow between 20 and 37 degrees C, with an optimum temperature of 25 degrees C. The pH range for growth is between 6.0 and 9.0, with an optimum pH of 7.5. The isolate stained positively for intracellular polyphosphate granules. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan is LL-diaminopimelic acid (LL-A2pm) with a glycine moiety at position 1 of the peptide subunit, which characterizes the presence of a rare peptidoglycan (type A3-gamma'). Two menaquinones, MK-9(H4) and MK-7(H4), are present and the main cellular fatty acid is 12-methyltetradecanoic acid. The G + C content is 74 mol%. From phenotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the isolate differed sufficiently from its closest phylogenetic relatives, namely Propionibacterium propionicum, Propioniferax innocua, Friedmanniella antarctica, Luteococcus japonicus and Microlunatus phosphovorus in the A1 subdivision of the Gram-positive bacteria (i.e. Firmicutes with a high G + C content), suborder Propionibacterineae, to be placed in a new genus, Tessaracoccus, as Tessaracoccus bendigoensis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is Ben 106T (= ACM 5119T).

Two Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, strictly aerobic, pigmented cocci, strains Ben 107T and Ben 108T, growing in aggregates were isolated from activated sludge samples by micromanipulation. Both possessed the rare type A3 gamma' peptidoglycan. Major menaquinones of strain Ben 107T were MK-9(H4) and MK-7(H2), and the main cellular fatty acid was 12-methyltetradecanoic acid (ai-C15:0). In strain Ben 108T, MK-9(H4), MK-9(H2) and MK-7(H4) were the menaquinones and again the main fatty acid was 12-methyltetradecanoic acid (ai-C15:0). Polar lipids in both strains consisted of phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl glycerol and diphosphatidyl glycerol with two other unidentified glycolipids and phospholipids also present in both. These data, together with the 16S rDNA sequence data, suggest that strain Ben 107T belongs to the genus Friedmanniella which presently includes a single recently described species, Friedmanniella antarctica. Although the taxonomic status of strain Ben 108T is far less certain, on the basis of its 16S rRNA sequence it is also adjudged to be best placed in the genus Friedmanniella. The chemotaxonomic characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data support the view that Ben 107T and Ben 108T are novel species of the genus Friedmanniella. Hence, it is proposed that strain Ben 107T (= ACM 5121T) is named as Friedmanniella spumicola sp. nov. and strain Ben 108T (= ACM 5120T) as Friedmanniella capsulata sp. nov.