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The human oral microbiome is associated with chronic diseases including cancer. However, our understanding of its relationship with diet is limited. We assessed the associations between carbohydrate and glycemic index (GI) with oral microbiome composition in 834 non-diabetic subjects from the NCI-PLCO and ACS-CPSII cohorts. The oral microbiome was characterized using 16Sv3-4 rRNA-sequencing from oral mouthwash samples. Daily carbohydrate and GI were assessed from food frequency questionnaires. We used linear regression, permutational MANOVA, and negative binomial Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to test associations of diet with α- and β-diversity and taxon abundance (adjusting for age, sex, cohort, BMI, smoking, caloric intake, and alcohol). A q-value (FDR-adjusted P-value) of <0.05 was considered significant. Oral bacterial α-diversity trended higher in participants in the highest quintiles of carbohydrate intake, with marginally increased richness and Shannon diversity (p-trend=0.06 and 0.07). Greater carbohydrate intake was associated with greater abundance of class Fusobacteriia (q=0.02) and genus Leptotrichia (q=0.01) and with lesser abundance of an Actinomyces OTU (q=4.7E-04). Higher GI was significantly related to greater abundance of genus Gemella (q=0.001). This large, nationwide study provides evidence that diets high in carbohydrates and GI may influence the oral microbiome., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests

Six novel strains (ZJ34 T , ZJ561, ZJ750 T , ZJ1629, zg-993 T and zg-987) isolated from faeces and respiratory tracts of Marmota himalayana from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China were characterized comprehensively. The results of analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences indicated that the six strains represent three novel species of the genus Actinomyces , and are closely related to Actinomyces urogenitalis DSM 15434 T (16S rRNA gene sequences similarities, 94.9-98.7 %), Actinomyces weissii CCUG 61299 T (95.6-96.6 %), Actinomyces bovis CCTCC AB2010168 T (95.7 %) and Actinomyces bowdenii DSM 15435 T (95.2-96.4 %), with values of digital DNA-DNA hybridization less than 30.1 % when compared with their closest relatives but higher than 70 % within each pair of novel strains (ZJ34 T /ZJ561, ZJ750 T /ZJ1629 and zg-993 T /zg-987). All the novel strains had C 18 : 1 ω 9 c and C 16 : 0 as the two most abundant major fatty acids. MK-9(H 4 ) or MK-8(H 4 ) was the sole or predominant respiratory quinone of strains ZJ34 T , ZJ750 T and zg-993 T and their polar lipid profiles differed, but all had diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidyl inositol mannoside as major components. ZJ750 T shared identical peptidoglycan amino acid profile with ZJ34 T (alanine, glutamic acid, lysine and ornithine) and the same whole-cell sugar composition with zg-993 T (glucose, rhamnose and ribose). Strain zg-993 T contained alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and lysine in the peptidoglycan, and the only sugar in ZJ34 T was ribose. The DNA G+C contents of the novel strains were within the range of 65.8-70.1 mol%. On the basis of the results from the aforementioned analyses, the six novel strains were classified as representing three novel species of genus Actinomyces , for which the names Actinomyces faecalis sp. nov. [type strain ZJ34 T (=GDMCC 1.1952 T =JCM 34355 T )] , Actinomyces respiraculi sp. nov. [type strain ZJ750 T (=GDMCC 1.1950 T =JCM 34356 T )] and Actinomyces trachealis sp. nov. [type strain zg-993 T (=GDMCC 1.1956 T =JCM 34357 T )] were proposed, respectively.

Recent advancements in DNA-based approaches have led to the identification of uncommon and rare bacterial pathogens. In this study, by utilizing a DNA-based approach, a total of 1043 clinical specimens were processed for the identification of actinobacteria targeting the 16S rRNA and gyrB genes. Drug susceptibility testing was also conducted using micro-broth dilution and PCR. Two isolates of Nocardia flavorosea and Rhodococcus erythropolis were reported for the first time in Iran. Also, Nocardiopsis dassonvillei, Streptomyces olivaceus, and Streptomyces griseus were reported for the first time in Asia. Infections caused by Nocardia caishijiensis and Prauserella muralis have also been reported in this study. The first Asian case of pulmonary infection caused by Nocardia ignorata and the first global case of brain abscess caused by Nocardia ninae and Nocardia neocaledoniensis have been reported in this study. Overall 30 isolates belonging to 6 genera (Nocardia, Streptomyces, Rodoccoccus, Nocardiopsis, Rothia, and Prauserella) were detected in 30 patients. All 30 isolates were susceptible to amikacin and linezolid. Three isolates including Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (n = 2) and Nocardia flavorosea (n = 1) were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole which were the first trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant clinical actinomycetes in Iran. Isolation of rare species of actinomycetes particularly Nocardia spp. requires urgent action before they spread clinically particularly among immunocompromised patients.

Isolate 4NS15 T was isolated from a neglected arid habitat in Kerman, Iran. The strain showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.9 % to the type strains of Kibdelosporangium aridum subsp. aridum , Kibdelosporangium phytohabitans and Kibdelosporangium philippinense and 98.6 % to the type strain K. aridum subsp. largum , respectively. Genome-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolate 4NS15 T is closely related to Kibdelosporangium aridum subsp. aridum DSM 43828 T . The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between the genome sequences of 4NS15 T and strain DSM 43828 T is 29.8 %. Strain 4NS15 T produces long chains of spores without a sporangium-like structure which can be distinguished from other Kibdelosporangium species. Isolate 4NS15 T has a genome size of 10.35 Mbp with a G+C content of 68.1 mol%. Whole-cell hydrolysates of isolate 4NS15 T are rich in meso -diaminopimelic acid and cell-wall sugars such as arabinose, galactose, glucose and ribose. Major fatty acids (>10 %) are C 16 : 0 , iso-C 16 : 0 and iso-C 15 : 0 . The phospholipid profile contains diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylhydroxyethanolamine, aminolipid and glycoaminolipid. The predominant menaquinone is MK-9(H 4 ). Based on its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, isolate 4NS15 T (NCCB 100701=CIP 111705=DSM 110728) merits recognition as representing a novel species of the genus Kibdelosporangium , for which the name Kibdelosporangium persicum sp. nov. is proposed.

Pulmonary actinomycosis (PA) is an uncommon pulmonary infectious disease that often is misdiagnosed. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a highly sensitive and culture-independent new molecular technology for precise infectious disease diagnosis. Here we report a PA case diagnosed by the combination of a radial endobronchial-ultrasonography guide sheath (R-EBUS-GS) and mNGS, along with a brief review of the literature., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Eight Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelopes on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau of China. Genomic sequence analysis showed that the strains belong to the genera Actinomyces (strains 299 T and 340), Corynebacterium (strains 2184 T , 2185, 2183 T and 2189) and Oceanobacillus (strains 160 T and 143), respectively, with a percentage of similarity for the 16S rRNA gene under the species threshold of 98.7 % except for strains 160 T and 143 with Oceanobacillus arenosus CAU 1183 T (98.8 %). The genome sizes (and genomic G+C contents) were 3.1 Mb (49.4 %), 2.5 Mb (64.9 %), 2.4 Mb (66.1 %) and 4.1 Mb (37.1 %) for the type strains 299 T , 2183 T , 2184 T and 160 T , respectively. Two sets of the overall genome relatedness index values between our isolates and their corresponding closely related species were under species thresholds (95 % for average nucleotide identity, and 70 % for digital DNA-DNA hybridization). These results, together with deeper genotypic, genomic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, indicate that these eight isolates should be classified as representing four novel species. Strain 299 T (=CGMCC 1.16320 T =JCM 33611 T ) is proposed as representing Actinomyces wuliandei sp. nov.; strain 2184 T (=CGMCC 1.16417 T =DSM 106203 T ) is proposed as representing Corynebacterium liangguodongii sp. nov.; strain 2183 T (=CGMCC 1.16416 T =DSM 106264 T ) is proposed as representing Corynebacterium yudongzhengii sp. nov.; and strain 160 T (=CGMCC 1.16367 T =DSM 106186 T ) is proposed as representing Oceanobacillus zhaokaii sp. nov.

Two previously undescribed, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped strains, 410 T and 553, were isolated from faeces of the Tibetan antelope ( Pantholops hodgsonii ) from the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, PR China. The optimum growth conditions of the two novel strains were 1 % (w/v) NaCl, 37 °C and pH 7. The end products from glucose fermentation included ethanol and lactic acid. Based on results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison and phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, strains 410 T and 553 were classified into the genus Actinomyces , and were closely related to Actinomyces ruminicola (97.6 %), Actinomyces oricola (93.5 %) and Actinomyces dentalis (90.8 %). The genomic G+C content of strain 410 T was 67.4 mol%. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 410 T and each of the closely related species were under 70 %. The respiratory quinones were MK-10 (68 %) and MK-9 (32 %). The main cellular fatty acids of the isolates were C 16 : 0 , followed by C 18 : 1 ω 9 c . The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside. The whole-cell sugars contained rhamnose, ribose and glucose. The diagnostic amino acids of cell-wall peptidoglycan included alanine, glutamic acid, lysine and ornithine. The results of biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses revealed that the two novel strains represent a novel species of genus Actinomyces , for which the name Actinomyce s qiguomingii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 410 T (=CGMCC 1.16361 T = DSM 106201 T ).

Two novel, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (strains 2129 T and 2119) were isolated from the faeces of Tibetan antelopes ( Pantholops hodgsonii ) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains showed highest similarity values to Actinomyces timonensis DSM 23838 T (92.9 and 92.8 %, respectively), and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequences indicated that strains 2129 T and 2119 represent a new lineage. Strains 2129 T and 2119 could ferment d-adonitol and d-xylose, but were unable to utilize d-mannose and d-melibiose nor produce esterase (C4) and proline arylamidase. The G+C contents of the two strains were both 69.0 mol%. Their genomes exhibited less than 40.4 % relatedness in DNA-DNA hybridization tests (below 70 % as the recommended threshold for new species) with all available genomes of the genus Actinomyces in the NCBI database. The major fatty acids of the two strains were C 18 : 1 ω9 c and C 16 : 0 , and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidyl inositol mannoside and phosphoglycolipid. Based on the results of genotypic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, it is proposed that the two unidentified bacteria be classified as representing a novel species, Actinomyces lilanjuaniae sp. nov. The type strain is 2129 T (=CGMCC 4.7483 T =DSM 106426 T ).

Background: Necrotizing soft-tissue infections are a devastating infection that is rarely caused by Actinomyces spp. Case Report: A 45-year-old obese previously healthy male presented to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient developed systemic signs of infections and right medial thigh pain subsequently diagnosed as a necrotizing soft-tissue infection. Successful treatment included prompt surgical intervention and initiation of broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs. Conclusion: Actinomyces turicensis may be the pathogen causing certain necrotizing soft-tissue infections. Clinicians should consider the possibility that this organism represents a true pathogen and not colonization/contamination.

Candida-associated denture stomatitis presents as erythema of the palatal mucosa and is caused by biofilms containing the fungus Candida albicans that co-reside with oral bacteria on the denture-fitting surface. This study aimed to assess the effect of several frequently encountered oral bacteria on the expression of C. albicans virulence factors in in vitro polymicrobial biofilms. Biofilms containing C. albicans and selected bacterial species were grown on denture acrylic, and analysed by microscopy and by qPCR for expression of putative virulence genes. Candida albicans-only biofilms showed limited hyphal production. Hyphal development was significantly (P < 0·001) increased when biofilms also contained four species of oral bacteria (Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces odontolyticus and Actinomyces viscosus), as was the expression of virulence genes (P < 0·05). Importantly, inclusion of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the biofilm consortium resulted in significant (P < 0·05) inhibition of virulence gene expression and production of hyphae. The in vitro expression of C. albicans virulence factors was modulated in polymicrobial biofilms. The complexity of this modulation was highlighted by the reversal of effects following introduction of a single bacterial species into a biofilm community. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The impact of individual bacterial species on Candida albicans virulence highlights both the complexity of predicting infection mediated by polymicrobial communities and the potential for management through pro- or prebiotic therapy. The possibility to selectively modulate microbial virulence by addition of, or treatment with pro- or prebiotics avoids the use of conventional antimicrobial compounds, thus reducing the contribution to potential drug resistance. Understanding which bacterial species modulate virulence, and the mechanisms by which this occurs, particularly in biofilms, provides excellent foundations for further research questions, and the potential for novel clinical interventions., (© 2019 The Authors Letters in Applied Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Amoebic trophozoites were identified in the cervicovaginal smear of a U.S. patient without travel history at the time of intrauterine device (IUD) removal. Subsequent morphologic analysis and DNA sequencing identified a mixed cervicovaginal colonization of the female genital tract with both Entamoeba gingivalis and Entamoeba polecki in association with Actinomyces species bacteria. This highlights to the potential for colonization of the genital tract with E. gingivalis , particularly in association with IUD placement, and represents the first report of E. polecki in this context.

Background: Actinomyces species have a low virulence and pathogenicity, but under specific circumstances they may be involved in root canal and periapical tissue infections., Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of various root canal sealers on standardized strains of Actinomyces., Material and Methods: The materials tested in this study included AH Plus™ Jet (AH), Apexit® Plus (AP), Endomethasone N (EN), GuttaFlow® (GF), Hybrid Root SEAL (HB), MTA Fillapex (FL), Real® Seal (RCS), Roeko Seal Automix (RSA), Sealapex™ (SP), and Tubli-Seal™ (TS). The antibacterial effect of the freshly mixed sealers on standardized strains of Actinomyces israelii NCTC 8047 and Actinomyces viscosus ATCC 15987 was evaluated with the use of the agar diffusion test (ADT). The results were obtained by measuring the diameter of the growth inhibition zone at 96 h and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, and were analyzed in time using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistically significant differences among the materials were determined by using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc testing. A paired Student's t-test was applied to compare the susceptibility of particular strains to each sealer. The critical level of significance for all tests was p < 0.05., Results: Most sealers demonstrated growth inhibition zones against both tested bacteria, except for RSA and GF. Actinomyces viscosus was significantly more susceptible than A. israelii to AP, RCS (p < 0.001) and TS (p = 0.012). Actinomyces israelii was significantly more susceptible than A. viscosus to EN, HB and SP (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The antimicrobial effect of the examined materials varied considerably depending on the type of material and bacterial species tested. Most of the tested root canal sealers exhibited antibacterial activity on standardized strains of Actinomyces, with FL showing the highest antibacterial effect on both bacterial strains. Importantly, both standardized strains of Actinomyces were characterized by varied sensitivity to root canal sealers.

A novel, Gram-stain-positive, catalase-positive, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped strain (VUL4&#95;3 T ) was isolated from rectal swabs of Old World vultures (Aegypius monachus) from the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, China. Based on the results of biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain VUL4&#95;3 T was determined to be a member of the genus Actinomyces that is closely related to the type strains of Actinomyces liubingyangii (97.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Actinomyces marimammalium (96.5 %). Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 6-7 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl. The typical major cellular fatty acids of strain VUL4&#95;3 T were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0. The VUL4&#95;3 T genome contained 2 207 832 bp with an average G+C content of 51.9 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain VUL4&#95;3 T and the above two species of the genus Actinomyces showed less than 32 % DNA-DNA relatedness, supporting a novel species status of strain VUL4&#95;3 T . Based on the phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference, the novel species Actinomycestangfeifanii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VUL4&#95;3 T (=CGMCC 4.7369 T =DSM 103436 T ).

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a reliable tool for bacterial identification. This study compared the Bruker MALDI-TOF BioTyper MS (MBT) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for the identification of Actinomyces and Actinotignum spp. The MBT identified 68/77 (88.3%) of Actinomyces isolates to the genus-level and 44/77 (57.1%) of Actinomyces isolates to the species-level using the manufacturer's identification criteria. The MBT did not yield reliable identification for only 1/77 (1.3%) and generated no identification for 8/77 (10.4%) of the isolates. No misidentifications were found. Discordance at the species level was observed for eight isolates. Overall, the MBT demonstrated good concordance with the 16S rRNA gene sequencing with the exception of the closely related species A. naeslundii, A. viscosus and A. oris. A variety of Actinomyces spp. were isolated from orocervicofacial/dental specimens, but only a limited number of species were isolated from urine or intra-abdominal specimens. This study confirms the utility of MBT in the identification of Actinomyces spp. and describes the diversity and anatomic niche of species in human clinical specimens from various body sites., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The name "Actinomyces suis" was applied to each actinomycete isolate from swine actinomycosis by Grässer in 1962 and Franke in 1973. Nevertheless, this specific species was not included in the "Approved List of Bacterial Name" due to absence of the type cultures. Therefore, "Actinomyces suis" based on the description of Franke 1973 has been considered as "species incertae sedis". We isolated a number of Actinomyces strains from swine. The representative strains of them was designated as Chiba 101 that was closely similar to the description in "Actinomyces suis" reported by Franke in 1973. Interestingly, it was found that the biological characteristics of these strains were also very similar to those of Actinomyces denticolens. Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain Chiba 101 and the type-strain of Actinomyces denticolens (=DSM 20671 T ) was found to be 99.95%. Sequences of the housekeeping genes and 16S rRNA gene showed 100% homology. These results strongly suggested that "Actinomyces suis" Franke 1973 is the same species as Actinomyces denticolens. Since actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces denticolens have been demonstrated in horses recently, it is necessary to recognize that Actinomyces denticolens is the pathogenic actinomycetes in broader range of animals.

Gram-stain-positive, catalase and oxidase-negative and short rod-shaped bacterium C10 with occasional branching was isolated under strictly anaerobic conditions from the rumen fluid of a red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the course of study attempting to uncover new xylanolytic and cellulolytic rumen bacteria inhabiting the digestive tract of wild ruminants in the Czech Republic. The anaerobic M10 medium containing bovine rumen fluid and carboxymethylcellulose as a defined source of organic carbon was used in the process of bacterial isolation. The 16S rRNA gene similarity revealed recently characterized new species Actinomyces succiniciruminis Am4 T (GenBank accession number of the gene retrieved from the complete genome: LK995506) and Actinomyces glycerinitolerans G10 T (GenBank accession number from the complete genome: NZFQTT01000017) as the closest relatives (99.7 and 99.6% gene pairwise identity, respectively), followed by the Actinomyces ruminicola DSM 27982 T (97.2%, in all compared fragment of 41468 pb). Due to the taxonomic affinity of the examined strain to both species A. succiniciruminis and A. glycerinitolerans, its taxonomic status towards these species was evaluated using variable regions of rpsA (length of 519 bp) and rplB (597 bp) gene sequences amplified based on specific primers designed so as to be applicable in differentiation, classification, and phylogeny of Actinomyces species/strains. Comparative analyses using rpsA and rplB showed 98.5 and 97.9% similarities of C10 to A. succiniciruminis, respectively, and 97.5 and 97.6% similarities to A. glycerinitolerans, respectively. Thus, gene identities revealed that the evaluated isolate C10 (=DSM 100236 = LMG 28777) is a little more related to the species A. succiniciruminis isolated from the rumen of a Holstein-Friesian cow than A. glycerinitolerans. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed affinity of strain C10 to both recently characterized species. Unfortunately, they did not allow the bacterial strain to be classified into a particular species. Phenotypic characterization suggested similar conclusions. This brief contribution is aimed at classification and detailed phenotypic characterization of bacterial strain C10 isolated from the rumen of a wild red deer exhibiting, from the point of view of Actinomyces species, noteworthy cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities.

There are few reports on the bacterial species Actinomyces radicidentis in the literature. In this study, putative A. radicidentis isolates were collected from 16 root canal samples from 601 examined patients. The isolates were examined by biochemical tests, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Arbitrarily-primed (AP-) PCR, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and MALDI-TOF analyses. In parallel, two A. radicidentis reference strains and two putative A. radicidentis isolates from United Kingdom were tested. Sixteen of the 18 isolates were confirmed as A. radicidentis. The remaining two isolates, both of which were isolated from root canals (one from Sweden and the other from the UK), but were identified as Actinomyces haliotis by sequencing ∼ 1300 base pairs of the 16S rRNA-gene. This isolates had a divergent, but between them similar, AP-PCR pattern, and a common distribution of sequence signatures in the 16S rRNA gene, but were not identified by MALDI-TOF. A. haliotis is a close relative to A. radicidentis, hitherto only been described from a sea-snail. The identity of A. haliotis was confirmed by a phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences with species specific sequences included, and by additional biochemical tests. The examined bacteria exhibited similar antibiotic susceptibility patterns when tested for 10 separate antibiotic classes with E-tests (bioMérieux). The MIC 90 for β-lactams (benzylpenicillin and cefuroxime) and vancomycin was 0.5 mg/L, for colistin and ciprofloxacin 8 mg/mL and for the other antibiotic classes ≤ 25 mg/mL The isolation of A. haliotis from infected dental root canals cast doubt on the accepted opinion that all Actinomyces infections have an endogenous source., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Two strains (pika&#95;113T and pika&#95;114) of a previously undescribed Actinomyces-like bacterium were recovered from the intestinal contents of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, China. Results from biochemical characterization indicated that the two strains were phenotypically homogeneous and distinct from other previously described species of the genus Actinomyces. Based on the comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome analysis, the bacteria were determined to be a hitherto unknown subline within the genus Actinomyces, being most closely related to type strains of Actinomyces denticolens and Actinomyces timonensis with a respective 97.2 and 97.1 % similarity in their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that pika&#95;113T was well separated from any other recognized species of the genus Actinomyces and within the cluster with A. denticolens and A. timonensis. The genome of strain pika&#95;113T displayed less than 42 % relatedness in DNA-DNA hybridization with all the available genomes of existing species of the genus Actinomyces in the NCBI database. Collectively, based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses results, we propose the novel isolates as representatives of Actinomyces gaoshouyii sp. nov. The type strain of Actinomyces gaoshouyii is pika&#95;113T (=CGMCC 4.7372T=DSM 104049T), with a genomic DNA G+C content of 71 mol%.

Purpose: Under certain circumstances, Actinomyces behaves as an opportunistic microorganism and can cause actinomycosis, a chronic and inflammatory granulomatous infection. The purpose of this project was to detect the presence of Actinomyces in cervical exudates from women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and women with cervical cancer., Methodology: Cervical samples from 92 women were divided into three groups: CIN, cervical cancer and healthy women. Metagenomic DNA extraction was performed following the Qiagen QIAamp Mini Kit protocol. A specific fragment (675 bp) was amplified by PCR in order to detect the presence of Actinomycetales. Samples in which Actinomycetales was detected were subjected to separate amplification reactions with primer pairs for A. israelii, A. viscosus, A. meyeri and A. odontolyticus. Amplified products were observed by 2 % agarose gel electrophoresis., Results: Actinomyces were found in 10 % of women with CIN, 36.6 % of women with cervical cancer and 9 % of healthy women. The species identified in this study were A. meyeri in 14/92 samples (15.2 %), A. viscosus in 10/92 samples (10.8 %), A. odontolyticus in 4/92 samples (4.3 %) and A. israelii in 6/92 samples (6.5 %)., Conclusion: Patients with cervical cancer had a higher prevalence of the presence of Actinomyces compared to the CIN and control groups. This is the first study in which a deliberate search of this genus has been performed in women with cervical pathologies. The use of specific primers for each species facilitated their detection in comparison with traditional isolation methods. More information is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the complex role that bacterial communities may play in the development of cancer (and vice versa).

Two strains of Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming short rods (VUL7T and VUL8) were isolated from rectal swabs of Old World vultures, namely Gyps himalayensis, in Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, China. Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 6-7, with 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences classified the two strains to the genus Actinomyces, with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (95 %) to type strains of Actinomyces haliotis, Actinomyces radicidentis and Actinomyces urogenitalis. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c and C16 : 0. MK-10(H4) was the major respiratory quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 54.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values with the most closely related species ofthe genusActinomyces was 24.6 %. The two strains can be differentiated from the most closely related species such as A. haliotis, A. radicidentis, A. graevenitzii and A. urogenitalis by a list of carbohydrate fermentations and enzyme activities. On the basis of physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic analysis, strains VUL7T and VUL8 represent novel species of the genus Actinomyces, for which the name Actinomyces vulturis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VUL7T (=CGMCC 4.7366T=DSM 103437T).

Dental caries (tooth decay) is an infectious disease. Its etiology is not fully understood from the microbiological perspective. This study characterizes the diversity of microbial flora in the saliva of children with and without dental caries. Children (3-4 years old) with caries ( n = 20) and without caries ( n = 20) were recruited. Unstimulated saliva (2 mL) was collected from each child and the total microbial genomic DNA was extracted. DNA amplicons of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were generated and subjected to Illumina Miseq sequencing. A total of 17 phyla, 26 classes, 40 orders, 80 families, 151 genera, and 310 bacterial species were represented in the saliva samples. There was no significant difference in the microbiome diversity between caries-affected and caries-free children ( p > 0.05). The relative abundance of several species ( Rothia dentocariosa , Actinomyces graevenitzii , Veillonella sp. oral taxon 780 , Prevotella salivae , and Streptococcus mutans ) was higher in the caries-affected group than in the caries-free group ( p < 0.05). Fusobacterium periodonticum and Leptotrichia sp. oral clone FP036 were more abundant in caries-free children than in caries-affected children ( p < 0.05). The salivary microbiome profiles of caries-free and caries-affected children were similar. Salivary counts of certain bacteria such as R. dentocariosa and F. periodonticum may be useful for screening/assessing children's risk of developing caries., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Two bacterial strains, Am4 and G10 were isolated from rumen fluid of different ruminants: cow (Holstein-Friesian) and sheep (Slovenskè merino), respectively. They were isolated from different hosts and regions, but showed 99.2% similarity of the 16S rRNA genes. Both strains are versatile and ferment various sugars to mainly succinate and lactate and small amounts of acetate and formate. The 16S rRNA sequences of Am4 and G10 revealed that they belonged to the genus Actinomyces, and are related to Actinomyces ruminicola JCM 13352 T with 97.0% and 97.4% similarity, respectively. DDH showed strain Am4 and G10 had only 55.8 and 43.3% similarity with the Actinomyces ruminicola JCM 13352 T , and had 69.9% similarity among each other. Comparing strain Am4 and G10, gANI value and dDDH were 92.9% and 68.6%, respectively. Additionally, AAI between the strains was 95.8%. MLSA of housekeeping genes showed difference of metG and pheS. The G+C% contents of strain Am4 and G10 were 69.8% and 68.5%, respectively. MK-10(H 4 ) was the principal quinone for strain Am4 (82%) and G10 (91%) with small amounts of MK-10(H 8 ) and MK-10(H 6 ) for both strains. Only MK-9(H 4 ) was detected in strain Am4. MALDI-TOF analysis of protein profiles also revealed that Am4 and G10 are different from each other and from Actinomyces ruminicola JCM 13352 T . Based on phylogenetic and physiological characteristics, together with genome comparison and MLSA we propose two novel species in the genus Actinomyces: Actinomyces succiniciruminis sp. nov. (type strain Am4 T =TISTR 2317 T =DSM 10376 T ) and Actinomyces glycerinitolerans sp. nov. (type strain G10 T =TISTR 2318 T =DSM 10377 T )., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To compare the composition of the salivary microbiota in caries-affected vs. caries-free mutans streptococci (MS)- positive children with mixed dentition., Materials and Methods: Twenty eight healthy, 11-12-year-old schoolchildren with high MS counts (>10⊃5 CFU/mL) were included in this study. The children were screened with the Dentocult SM Strip Mutans test (Orion Diagnostica, Espoo, Finland) and examined using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The microbial composition of the saliva was assessed using the Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray (HOMIM). Microbial differences between caries-affected (n=18) and caries-free children (n=10) were compared by Mann-Whitney analysis., Results: The microbiota of the caries-affected vs. caries-free children was rather similar. Abiotrophia defectiva and Actinomyces meyeri/A. odontolyticus were significantly higher in caries-affected than in caries-free children (p=0.006, 0.046, respectively). Shuttleworthia satelles was significantly higher in caries-free compared to caries-affected children (p=0.031). A. defectiva and A. meyeri/A. odontolyticus correlated positively with caries severity measured by ICDAS Caries Index (p = 0.494, 0.454, 0.400 respectively) while S. satelles was negatively correlated with caries severity (p= -0.489)., Conclusions: Salivary A. defectiva and A. meyeri/A. odontolyticus and are associated with caries occurrence in MS-positive children with mixed dentition.

The isolation ofActinomycesspp. from sterile clinical samples is traditionally regarded as significant. We reviewed the demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors, and outcomes of patients withActinomycesspp. isolated from blood cultures in our NHS Trust and found that this is not necessarily the case., (Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Introduction: Acne inversa (AI) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease. It occurs in intertriginous areas of the skin and causes pain, drainage, malodor and scar formation. While supposedly caused by an autoimmune reaction, bacterial superinfection is a secondary event in the disease process., Methods: A unique case of a 43-year-old male patient suffering from a recurring AI lesion in the left axilla was retrospectively analysed., Results: A swab revealed Actinomyces neuii as the only agent growing in the lesion. The patient was then treated with Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid 3 × 1 g until he was cleared for surgical excision. The intraoperative swab was negative for A. neuii. Antibiotics were prescribed for another 4 weeks and the patient has remained relapse free for more than 12 months now., Conclusion: Primary cutaneous Actinomycosis is a rare entity and the combination of AI and Actinomycosis has never been reported before. Failure to detect superinfections of AI lesions with slow-growing pathogens like Actinomyces spp. might contribute to high recurrence rates after immunosuppressive therapy of AI. The present case underlines the potentially multifactorial pathogenesis of the disease and the importance of considering and treating potential infections before initiating immunosuppressive regimens for AI patients.

Actinomyces species are uncommon but important causes of invasive infections. The ability of our regional clinical microbiology laboratory to report species-level identification of Actinomyces relied on molecular identification by partial sequencing of the 16S ribosomal gene prior to the implementation of the Vitek MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry [MALDI-TOF MS]) system. We compared the use of the Vitek MS to that of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for reliable species-level identification of invasive infections caused by Actinomyces spp. because limited data had been published for this important genera. A total of 115 cases of Actinomyces spp., either alone or as part of a polymicrobial infection, were diagnosed between 2011 and 2014. Actinomyces spp. were considered the principal pathogen in bloodstream infections (n = 17, 15%), in skin and soft tissue abscesses (n = 25, 22%), and in pulmonary (n = 26, 23%), bone (n = 27, 23%), intraabdominal (n = 16, 14%), and central nervous system (n = 4, 3%) infections. Compared to sequencing and identification from the SmartGene Integrated Database Network System (IDNS), Vitek MS identified 47/115 (41%) isolates to the correct species and 10 (9%) isolates to the correct genus. However, the Vitek MS was unable to provide identification for 43 (37%) isolates while 15 (13%) had discordant results. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA sequences demonstrate high diversity in recovered Actinomyces spp. and provide additional information to compare/confirm discordant identifications between MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA gene sequences. This study highlights the diversity of clinically relevant Actinomyces spp. and provides an important typing comparison. Based on our analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing should be used to rapidly identify Actinomyces spp. until MALDI-TOF databases are optimized., (Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

The oral microbiota was compared between Romanian adolescents with a high prevalence of caries and no dental care and Swedish caries-active and caries-free adolescents in caries prevention programs and with a low prevalence of caries. Biofilm samples were analyzed by FLX+ pyrosequencing of the V1 to V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Sequences obtained blasted to 9 phyla, 66 genera, and 401 human oral taxa (HOT) in the 16S rRNA Human Oral Microbiome Database, of which 295 were represented by ≥20 sequences. The Romanian adolescents had more sequences in Firmicutes and fewer in Actinobacteria phyla and more sequences in the genera Bacteroidetes [G-3], Porphyromonas, Abiotrophia, Filifactor, Peptostreptococcaceae [11][G-4], Pseudoramibacter, Streptococcus, and Neisseria and fewer in Actinomyces, Selenomonas, Veillonella, Campylobacter, and TM7 [G-1] than the Swedish groups. Multivariate modeling employing HOT, S. sobrinus and S. mutans (PCR/qPCR), and sugar snacks separated Romanian from Swedish adolescents. The Romanian adolescents' microbiota was characterized by a panel of streptococci, including S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and Streptococcus australis, and Alloprevotella, Leptotrichia, Neisseria, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella. The Swedish adolescents were characterized by sweet snacks, and those with caries activity were also characterized by Prevotella, Actinomyces, and Capnocytophaga species and those free of caries by Actinomyces, Prevotella, Selenomonas, Streptococcus, and Mycoplasma. Eight species including Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus species HOT070 were prevalent in Romanian and Swedish caries-active subjects but not caries-free subjects. In conclusion, S. mutans and S. sobrinus correlated with Romanian adolescents with caries and with limited access to dental care, whereas S. mutans and S. sobrinus were detected infrequently in Swedish adolescents in dental care programs. Swedish caries-active adolescents were typically colonized by Actinomyces, Selenomonas, Prevotella, and Capnocytophaga. Hence, the role of mutans streptococci as a primary caries pathogen appears less pronounced in populations with prevention programs compared to populations lacking caries treatment and prevention strategies., (© International & American Associations for Dental Research 2015.)

This study investigated the prevalence of Actinomyces spp. in shallow, deep and very deep pockets of patients with chronic periodontitis compared to healthy controls and correlated the results with clinical status. Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Clinical indices were recorded in a six-point measurement per tooth. From each patient samples of supra and subgingival plaque were taken separately from teeth with shallow, deep and very deep pockets. Samples of supragingival plaque and sulcular microflora were collected from the healthy subjects. All the samples were cultivated on different media at 37̊C in an anaerobic atmosphere for 7 days. All the suspect colonies were identified using a rapid ID 32 A system (bioMèrieux) and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis using an Autoflex II Instrument (Bruker Daltonics) together with in house developed identification software and a reference spectra database. A total of 977 strains were identified as Actinomyces. Actinomyces naeslundii/oris/johnsonii (430 isolates) was the most prevalent species and was found in all patients and in almost all of the healthy subjects. Significant differences (p=0.003) between the groups were found for Actinomyces odontolyticus/meyeri and Actinomyces israelii which were associated with periodontitis patients. Actinomyces dentalis was found in higher percentage (p=0.015) in the periodontitis group. Actinomyces gerencseriae and Actinomyces massiliensis were significantly more often found supragingivally than subgingivally (p=0.004, p=0.022, respectively) in the periodontitis group. Whether some Actinomyces species, definitely important plaque formers, are actively involved in the pathogenicity of chronic periodontitis needs further investigation., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by Actinomyces species characterized by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, and draining sinuses. The spectrum of infections caused by Actinomyces species ranges from classical invasive actinomycosis to a less invasive form of superficial skin and soft tissue infection. We present a review detailing all Actinomyces species isolated from breast infections in NHS Lothian between 2005 and 2013, Actinomyces species isolated from breast infections referred to the United Kingdom Anaerobe Reference Unit between 1988 and 2014, and cases describing Actinomyces breast infections published in the medical literature since 1994. Actinomyces species are fastidious organisms which can be difficult to identify and are likely to be underascertained as a cause of breast infections. Due to improved diagnostic methods, they are increasingly associated with chronic, recurrent breast infections and may play a more significant role in these infections than has previously been appreciated., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Black tooth stain is a characteristic extrinsic discoloration commonly seen on the cervical enamel following the contour of the gingiva. To investigate the relationship between black tooth stain and the oral microbiota, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to compare the microbial composition of dental plaque and saliva among caries-free children with and without black stain. Dental plaque and saliva, as well as black stain, were sampled from 10 children with and 15 children without black stain. Data were analyzed using the pipeline tool MOTHUR. Student's t-test was used to compare alpha diversities and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare the relative abundances of the microbial taxa. A total of 10 phyla, 19 classes, 32 orders, 61 families and 102 genera were detected in these samples. Shannon and Simpson diversity were found to be significantly lower in saliva samples of children with black stain. Microbial diversity was reduced in the black stain compared to the plaque samples. Actinomyces, Cardiobacterium, Haemophilus, Corynebacterium, Tannerella and Treponema were more abundant and Campylobacter less abundant in plaque samples of children with black stain. Principal component analysis demonstrated clustering among the dental plaque samples from the control group, while the plaque samples from the black stain group were not and appeared to cluster into two subgroups. Alterations in oral microbiota may be associated with the formation of black stain.

Unlabelled: In the light of important detrimental role of aberrant histone deacetylases (HDAC) production during various clinical complications, development of therapeutically effective and specific inhibitors of HDAC is critically important. This study deals with the screening for HDAC inhibitors from marine Actinomycetes. The isolation of Actinomycetes from 22 sediment samples along the Southern Coast of India yielded 186 strains including Streptomyces, Nocardipsis, evaluated for HDAC inhibition using HeLa cells. Among the 186 isolates, 10 strains have shown moderate to strong inhibition. The maximum inhibition (61%) was seen with strain VITKSM06 and least inhibition (31%) was seen with strain VITSJT03. The MTT cell proliferation assay using HeLa cell line showed significant cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 5·9 μg ml(-1) by VITKSM06-derived metabolite and 26·2 μg ml(-1) by VITSJT03. The compound treated HeLa cells displayed an altered morphology and condensed chromatin which may be due to HDAC inhibition. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the potential strains were identified as Nocardiopsis sp VITKSM06, Streptomyces sp VITAKS1 and Streptomyces sp VITRSM02. This study reveals the importance of screening marine Actinomycetes for the discovery of potential novel HDAC inhibitors of therapeutic importance., Significance and Impact of the Study: Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are epigenetic enzymes that regulate the deacetylation in lysine group on a histone, and thus regulate the gene expression. The HDAC inhibitors are reported to promote apoptosis on tumour cells, thus become clinically important drug target. Several studies have addressed the identification of putative HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic agents for cancer and until now those cleared phase III human trials are very limited. This study attempts to investigate the chemical diversity found in marine Actinomycetes towards negative HDAC modulation, which could be used individually or in combination as anti-cancerous and other therapeutic measure., (© 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Actinomyces israelii has long been recognized as a causative agent of actinomycosis. During the past 3 decades, a large number of novel Actinomyces species have been described. Their detection and identification in clinical microbiology laboratories and recognition as pathogens in clinical settings can be challenging. With the introduction of advanced molecular methods, knowledge about their clinical relevance is gradually increasing, and the spectrum of diseases associated with Actinomyces and Actinomyces-like organisms is widening accordingly; for example, Actinomyces meyeri, Actinomyces neuii, and Actinomyces turicensis as well as Actinotignum (formerly Actinobaculum) schaalii are emerging as important causes of specific infections at various body sites. In the present review, we have gathered this information to provide a comprehensive and microbiologically consistent overview of the significance of Actinomyces and some closely related taxa in human infections., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks of infection related to bronchoscopy typically involve Gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacterium species or Legionella species. We report an unusual bronchoscopy-related pseudo-outbreak due to Actinomyces graevenitzii. Extensive epidemiological and microbiological investigation failed to identify a common source. Strain typing revealed that the cluster was comprised of heterogeneous strains of A. graevenitzii. A change in laboratory procedures for Actinomyces cultures was coincident with the emergence of the pseudo-outbreak, and we determined that A. graevenitzii isolates more readily adopted a white, dry, molar tooth appearance on anaerobic colistin nalidixic acid (CNA) agar which likely facilitated its detection and identification in bronchoscopic specimens. This unusual pseudo-outbreak was related to frequent requests of bronchoscopists for Actinomyces cultures combined with a change in microbiology laboratory practices., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Sortase, a cysteine-transpeptidase conserved in Gram-positive bacteria, anchors on the cell wall many surface proteins that facilitate bacterial pathogenesis and fitness. Genetic disruption of the housekeeping sortase in several Gram-positive pathogens reported thus far attenuates virulence, but not bacterial growth. Paradoxically, we discovered that depletion of the housekeeping sortase SrtA was lethal for Actinomyces oris; yet, all of its predicted cell wall-anchored protein substrates (AcaA-N) were individually dispensable for cell viability. Using Tn5-transposon mutagenesis to identify factors that upend lethality of srtA deletion, we uncovered a set of genetic suppressors harbouring transposon insertions within genes of a locus encoding AcaC and a LytR-CpsA-Psr (LCP)-like protein. AcaC was shown to be highly glycosylated and dependent on LCP for its glycosylation. Upon SrtA depletion, the glycosylated form of AcaC, hereby renamed GspA, was accumulated in the membrane. Overexpression of GspA in a mutant lacking gspA and srtA was lethal; conversely, cells overexpressing a GspA mutant missing a membrane-localization domain were viable. The results reveal a unique glycosylation pathway in A. oris that is coupled to cell wall anchoring catalysed by sortase SrtA. Significantly, this novel phenomenon of glyco-stress provides convenient cell-based assays for developing a new class of inhibitors against Gram-positive pathogens., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Two actinomycete strains, designated TRM 49117(T) and TRM 49136(T), were isolated from a hypersaline habitat in Xinjiang Province, north-west China and were characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TRM 49117(T) had 93.93% similarity with the type strain Glycomyces halotolerans TRM 40137(T) (GenBank accession no. HQ651156) and TRM 49136(T) had 94.32% similarity with G. halotolerans TRM 40137(T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two new isolates was 93%. The isolates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as major cellular fatty acids. The predominant menaquinones of the isolates were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The whole-cell sugar patterns of these strains contained xylose and ribose, and strain TRM 49136(T) also contained arabinose. The polar lipid pattern of strain TRM 49117(T) comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and three additional unknown phospholipids. The polar lipid pattern of strain TRM 49136(T) comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipids and two phosphoglycolipids of unknown composition. Genotypic and phenotypic data confirmed that strains TRM 49117(T) and TRM 49136(T) represent two novel species, clearly different from related species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the names Glycomyces fuscus sp. nov. (type strain TRM 49117(T) = CCTCC AA 2013003(T) = NRRL B-59998(T) = KACC 17682(T)) and Glycomyces albus sp. nov. (type strain TRM 49136(T) = CCTCC AA 2013004(T) = NRRL B-24927(T) = KACC 17681(T)) are proposed., (© 2014 Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps.)

Background: This study investigates the association between detectable plasmatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load (HVL) and high levels of periodontal- and non-periodontal-related microorganisms in the subgingival microbiota of individuals with HIV., Methods: Thirty-seven individuals with HIV were divided into two groups: 1) detectable HVL (n = 15); and 2) undetectable HVL (n = 22). Subgingival biofilm samples were obtained, and the levels of 35 microbial species were determined by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method. Periodontal clinical measures and laboratory and sociodemographic data were also registered. χ(2) test, Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare groups. Multilevel ordinal regression models were used to test the association between HVL and the levels of 35 microbial species in subgingival biofilm, adjusted for confounders., Results: Of the 35 species studied, 11 (31.4%) showed higher mean levels in the detectable HVL group than undetectable HVL group (P <0.001). These species included Actinomyces naeslundii II, Actinomyces israelii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Veillonella parvula, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Eikenella corrodens, Campylobacter concisus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Candida albicans. Significant associations between detectable HVL and high levels of microorganisms, adjusted for confounders, were observed for A. naeslundii I, Actinomyces gerencseriae, C. gingivalis, E. corrodens, C. concisus, Prevotella nigrescens, T. forsythia, and Dialister pneumosintes., Conclusion: Detectable plasmatic HVL in individuals with HIV was associated with elevated levels of known periodontal pathogens, such as P. nigrescens, T. forsythia, and E. corrodens, as well as C. concisus, C. gingivalis, and D. pneumosintes in the subgingival biofilm.

Background: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical and microbiologic effects of the adjunctive use of metronidazole (MTZ) and amoxicillin (AMX) in the treatment of smokers and non-smokers with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP)., Methods: Thirty-two smokers and 32 non-smokers were selected and received scaling and root planing (SRP) combined with MTZ (400 mg three times daily) and AMX (500 mg three times daily) for 14 days. Clinical and microbiologic examinations were performed at baseline and 3 months after SRP. Nine subgingival plaque samples per patient were analyzed using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization., Results: Both groups presented a significant improvement in all clinical parameters at 3 months after therapy (P <0.05). Non-smokers showed lower mean number of sites with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm after therapy. Fewer non-smokers exhibited at least nine of these sites at 3 months after treatment. Non-smokers also presented the greatest reductions in mean PD and gain in clinical attachment between baseline and 3 months after therapy at initially deep (PD ≥7 mm) sites (P <0.01). The most beneficial changes in the microbial profile were also observed in the non-smoker group, which showed the lowest proportions of the orange complex at 3 months, as well as a significant increase in the proportions of Actinomyces species after treatment., Conclusion: Smokers with CP benefit less than non-smokers from treatment by the combination of SRP, MTZ, and AMX.

A novel, Gram-staining-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and coccus-shaped bacterium, strain WL80(T), was isolated from the gut of an abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, collected from the northern coast of Jeju in Korea. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7-8 and with 1% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain WL80(T) fell within the cluster of the genus Actinomyces, with highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Actinomyces radicidentis (98.8% similarity) and Actinomyces urogenitalis (97.0% similarity). The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c and C16 : 0. Menaquinone-10 (H4) was the major respiratory quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 70.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values with closely related strains indicated less than 7.6% genomic relatedness. The results of physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses indicated that strain WL80(T) represents a novel species of the genus Actinomyces, for which the name Actinomyces haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WL80(T) ( = KACC 17211(T) = JCM 18848(T)).

Objectives: To examine the histopathological characteristics of inflammatory lesions containing Actinomyces based on DNA sequencing. Furthermore, case reports of actinomycosis in the maxillofacial region are summarized by a review of the literature., Study Design: The study comprised 12 cases of inflammatory lesions containing Actinomyces as diagnosed by DNA analysis. The average age of the subjects was 59 ± 15 years (6 males; 6 females)., Results: The distribution of causative bacteria was: Actinomyces israelii in 9 cases, Actinomyces gerencseriae in 2 cases, and Actinomyces naeslundii in 1 case. Four cases diagnosed by DNA sequencing were positive for "Druse," a known morphological diagnostic characteristic of actinomycosis, and 8 cases lacked typical colony formation., Conclusions: DNA analysis using paraffin-embedded samples is effective for both early and accurate diagnosis of oral lesions containing Actinomyces., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A 5-year-old spayed female diabetic mixed-breed dog underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation to correct bilateral hypermature cataracts. Two months postsurgery, the patient presented with ulcerative keratitis and multifocal stromal abscessation OD, which was controlled, but never resolved, with topical fluoroquinolone therapy. The patient re-presented 2 months later with a new, raised, white gritty corneal opacity associated with hyperemia, chemosis, and blepharospasm OD. Cytology of the right cornea revealed filamentous bacteria, suggestive of Actinomyces spp. Actinomyces bowdenii was subsequently isolated in pure culture and identified via 16s rDNA sequencing. Actinomyces bowdenii has never before been described as a cause of ocular infection. An immunosuppressed corneal environment likely contributed to this opportunistic Actinomycosis. The infection was not controlled with fluoroquinolone therapy, and the isolate, in vitro, was resistant to three fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin), which also has not been previously reported for this species of Actinomyces. A superficial keratectomy with conjunctival graft was employed to successfully manage the infection., (© 2012 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)

Background: Suppuration (SUP) on probing may be an indication of active periodontal breakdown. The aim of the present study is to analyze which subgingival species are associated with SUP in patients with chronic (CP) and aggressive (AgP) periodontitis., Methods: A total of 156 patients with CP and 66 with AgP were submitted to full-mouth periodontal examination and subgingival biofilm sampling (14 sites/patient). The counts of 44 bacterial species were determined by checkerboard. Comparisons between groups and sites were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests, respectively. Associations between frequency of SUP and bacterial species were analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient., Results: The prevalence of SUP in patients with CP was 24.4%, and in patients with AgP it was 30.3%, and the percentage of SUP sites in the groups was 5.72% ± 1.06% and 6.96% ± 1.70%, respectively (P >0.05). SUP sites from patients with CP had significantly higher counts of Veillonella parvula, Dialister pneumosintes, Tannerella forsythia, and Prevotella nigrescens than SUP sites from patients with AgP (P <0.005). Significant positive correlations between high frequency of SUP and high levels of Actinomyces spp, Streptococcus spp., members of the orange complex, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were observed in patients with CP (P <0.05). In patients with AgP, Actinomyces oris, Propionibacterium acnes, P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus sanguinis were positively associated with SUP, whereas Prevotella intermedia presented a negative association with SUP (P <0.05)., Conclusions: SUP sites from patients with CP harbored significantly higher counts of several periodontal species than SUP sites from patients with AgP. Actinomyces spp., Streptococcus spp., members of the orange complex, T. forsythia, and certain non-oral pathogens were associated with a high number of sites with SUP.

Actinomycosis of the middle ear and mastoid is extremely rare. Here, we report a unique case of actinomycosis of the middle ear and mastoid caused by Actinomyces meyeri diagnosed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

A case of Actinomyces hongkongensis pelvic actinomycosis in an adult woman is described. Conventional phenotypic tests failed to identify the Gram-positive bacillus isolated from a fluid aspirate of a pelvic abscess. The bacterium was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis using the SmartGene Integrated Database Network System software.

Little is known about the clinical significance and laboratory diagnosis of Actinomyces funkei. In this report we describe six clinical cases where A. funkei was isolated from purulent, polymicrobial infections. Conventional identification procedures were compared with molecular methods including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique. Analysis of the full 16S rRNA gene sequence of the six investigated strains revealed differences from the A. funkei type strain. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the clinical strains represent a novel 16S rRNA gene variant within the species of A. funkei., (© 2013 The Authors Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2013 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)