Kaistia hirudinis sp. nov., isolated from the skin of Hirudo verbana
Taxonomy paper published in International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2013)
Abstract
A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the skin of the medical leech Hirudo verbana and studied for its taxonomic allocation. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to other strains showed that the strain was closely related to species of the genus Kaistia. Kaistia geumhonensis was shown to be the most closely related species (96.8%), followed by Kaistia soli (96.6%) and Kaistia dalseonensis (96.2%). All other species of the genus Kaistia showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities <96%. Chemotaxonomic data for strain E94(T) (major ubiquinone: Q-10; major polar lipids: diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, unknown phospholipids, aminolipids and aminophospholipids; and major fatty acids: C(18:1)ω7c, C(19:0)ω8c cylco, C(16:0) and C(18:0)) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Kaistia. Phenotypic differentiation of strain E94(T) from all species of the genus Kaistia was possible using different physiological characters. Strain E94(T) represents a novel species of the genus Kaistia, for which the name Kaistia hirudinis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain E94(T) ( = LMG 26925(T) =CIP 110381(T) =CCM 8401(T)).
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Description of Kaistia hirudinis sp. nov. (strain E94T) isolated from the skin of the medical leech Hirudo verbana, contributing to the expanding catalog of leech-associated bacteria.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This paper describes the isolation and taxonomic characterization of a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium from the skin of the medical leech Hirudo verbana, designated as a novel species Kaistia hirudinis sp. nov. (type strain E94T). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, chemotaxonomic data, and phenotypic characterization, the strain was affiliated with the genus Kaistia, with Kaistia geumhonensis as the closest relative at 96.8% similarity. This is peripherally relevant to ASH as it documents bacterial diversity associated with the external surface of medicinal leeches, which could inform microbiological safety considerations. The caveat is that this is a pure taxonomic description with no clinical, pathological, or therapeutic data; the significance of this organism for hirudotherapy is not addressed.
Citación
Kaistia hirudinis sp. nov., isolated from the skin of Hirudo verbana.
Glaeser SP, Galatis H, Martin K, Kämpfer P · International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology, 2013
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026