Taxonomic considerations on Aerococcus urinae with proposal of subdivision into Aerococcus urinae, Aerococcus tenax sp. nov., Aerococcus mictus sp. nov., and Aerococcus loyolae sp. nov

Abstract

Average nucleotide identity analysis, based on whole genome sequences of 115 strains previously identified as Aerococcus urinae, an emerging uropathogen, discriminates at least six unique genomic taxa. The whole genome analysis affords clearer species boundaries over 16S rRNA gene sequencing and traditional phenotypic approaches for the identification and phylogenetic organization of Aerococcus species. The newly described species can be differentiated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight analysis of protein signatures. We propose the emendation of the description of A. urinae (type strain ATCC 51268^T = CCUG 34223^T=NCFB 2893) and the names of Aerococcus tenax sp. nov. (ATCC TSD-302^T = DSM 115700^T = CCUG 76531^T=NR-58630^T), Aerococcus mictus sp. nov. (ATCC TSD-301^T = DSM 115699^T = CCUG 76532^T=NR-58629^T), and Aerococcus loyolae sp. nov. (ATCC TSD-300^T = DSM 115698^T = CCUG 76533^T=NR-58628^T) for three of the newly identified genomic taxa.

Keywords: Aerococcus loyolae; Aerococcus mictus; Aerococcus tenax; Aerococcus urinae; MALDI-TOF MS; whole genome sequencing.