Open AccessBiochemical Differentiation and Comparison of Desulfovibrio Species and Other Phenotypically Similar Genera
Author(s) -
Yumi A. Warren,
Diane M. Citron,
C. Vreni Merriam,
Ellie J. C. Goldstein
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.43.8.4041-4045.2005
Subject(s) - desulfovibrio , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , genetics
Seventeenhuman clinical isolates representing four species ofDesulfovibrio were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencesand tests for catalase, indole, nitrate, bile, urease, formate-fumaratestimulation, desulfoviridin, motility, and hydrogen sulfide production,plus susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Eightyadditional strains representing 10 phenotypically similar genera(Bilophila ,Selenomonas ,Capnocytophaga ,Campylobacter ,Bacteroides ,Sutterella ,Anaerobiospirillum ,Dialister ,Veillonella ,andMobiluncus ) were included for comparison. AllDesulfovibrio species produced H2 S and weredesulfoviridin positive, and allDesulfovibrio species exceptD. piger were motile. The fourDesulfovibrio species could be distinguished from each other using tests forcatalase, indole, nitrate, urease, and growth on bile, with thefollowing results (positive [+], negative [−], growth[G], and no growth [NG]): forD. piger , −,−, −, −, and G, respectively; forD .fairfieldensis , +, −, +, −,and G, respectively; forD. desulfuricans , −,−, +, +, and NG, respectively; and forD. vulgaris , −, +, −,−, and G, respectively. Resistance to the 10-μgcolistin disk separated theDesulfovibrio species from most ofthe other genera, which were usually susceptible. These simple testswere useful for characterizing theDesulfovibrio species anddifferentiating them from other phenotypically similargenera.