Niabella hirudinis and Niabella drilacis sp. nov., isolated from the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana
Taxonomy paper published in International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2013)
Abstract
Two Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, strains E96(T) and E90(T), were isolated from medicinal leeches (Hirudo verbana) and characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the two strains shared 98.1% sequence similarity and were affiliated with the genus Niabella within the phylum Bacteroidetes, with 94.4-97.6% sequence similarity to type strains of species of the genus Niabella and highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Niabella aurantiaca (97.3 and 97.6%, respectively). Niabella-related 16S rRNA gene sequences were recently detected in the bladders of Hirudo verbana; however, no cultured representatives were so far available. Genomic fingerprint analysis using repetitive element primed (rep)- and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCRs and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments clearly showed that the strains were different from each other (DNA-DNA relatedness values of 39.1%, reciprocal 28.0%) and from the type strains of N. aurantiaca (<19.7%) and Niabella tibetensis (<41.1%). Chemotaxonomic analyses confirmed the affiliation to the genus Niabella. Both strains contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids of both strains were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH), which is characteristic for the genus Niabella. Based on genotypic, chemotaxonomic and physiological characterization, we propose two novel species of the genus Niabella, Niabella hirudinis sp. nov., with strain E96(T) ( =DSM 25812(T) =CCM 8411(T) =LMG 26956(T)) as the type strain, and Niabella drilacis sp. nov., with strain E90(T) ( =DSM 25811(T) =CCM 8410(T) =LMG 26954(T)) as the type strain.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Description of two novel Bacteroidetes species, Niabella hirudinis (E96T) and Niabella drilacis (E90T), isolated from Hirudo verbana, addressing previously uncultured Niabella-related 16S rRNA gene sequences detected in leech bladders.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study describes the isolation and polyphasic taxonomic characterization of two novel bacterial species, Niabella hirudinis sp. nov. (strain E96(T)) and Niabella drilacis sp. nov. (strain E90(T)), cultured from the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana. Notably, the authors state that Niabella-related 16S rRNA sequences had previously been detected in the bladders of H. verbana, but no cultured representatives existed until this work, making these the first available isolates of this genus from leeches. For ASH's purposes, this enriches knowledge of the leech-associated microbiome and its cultured representatives, which is of interest given the importance of understanding symbionts in medicinal leeches. The article is strictly taxonomic, however, with no investigation of clinical relevance, pathogenic potential, or implications for hirudotherapy practice.
Citación
Niabella hirudinis and Niabella drilacis sp. nov., isolated from the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana.
Glaeser SP, Galatis H, Martin K, Kämpfer P · International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology, 2013
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026