Jill Clarridge - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jill Clarridge

Research paper thumbnail of Isolation of<i>Bordetella avium</i>and Novel<i>Bordetella</i>Strain from Patients with Respiratory Disease

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2009

Bordetella avium is thought to be strictly an avian pathogen. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing i... more Bordetella avium is thought to be strictly an avian pathogen. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing identifi ed 2 isolates from 2 humans with respiratory disease as B. avium and a novel B. avium-like strain. Thus, B. avium and B. avium-like organisms are rare opportunistic human pathogens. S everal Bordetella species have been associated with respiratory disease in humans. Although B. avium is thought to be strictly an animal pathogen that causes tracheobronchitis in wild and domesticated birds (1,2), infections in birds share many of the clinical and histopathologic features of disease in mammals caused by B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica (3). Human cases of respiratory disease associated with B. avium have only recently been reported in patients with cystic fi brosis (4). We describe 2 isolates, B. avium and a novel strain resembling B. avium, isolated from 2 patients with pneumonia, thereby demonstrating that B. avium and B. avium-like organisms are opportunistic human pathogens.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species in routine clinical laboratory yields Bartonella henselae from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient and unique Bartonella strain from his cat

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Aug 1, 1995

Research paper thumbnail of Genotypic Diversity of Clinical <i>Actinomyces</i> Species: Phenotype, Source, and Disease Correlation among Genospecies

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Sep 1, 2002

We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical labo... more We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical laboratory and investigated the clinical significance of accurate identification to the species level. We identified 92 clinical strains of Actinomyces, including 13 strains in the related Arcanobacterium-Actinobaculum taxon, by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and recorded their biotypes, sources, and disease associations. The clinical isolates clustered into 21 genogroups. Twelve genogroups (74 strains) correlated with a known species, and nine genogroups (17 strains) did not. The individual species had source and disease correlates. Actinomyces turicensis was the most frequently isolated species and was associated with genitourinary tract specimens, often with other organisms and rarely with inflammatory cells. Actinomyces radingae was most often associated with serious, chronic soft tissue abscesses of the breast, chest, and back. Actinomyces europaeus was associated with skin abscesses of the neck and genital areas. Actinomyces lingnae, Actinomyces gravenitzii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, and Actinomyces meyeri were isolated from respiratory specimens, while A. odontolyticus-like strains were isolated from diverse sources. Several of the species were commonly coisolated with a particular bacterium: Actinomyces israelii was the only Actinomyces spp. coisolated with Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) actinomycetemcomitans; Actinomyces meyeri was coisolated with Peptostreptococcus micros and was the only species other than A. israelii associated with sulfur granules in histological specimens. Most genogroups had consistent biotypes (as determined with the RapID ANA II system); however, strains were misidentified, and many codes were not in the database. One biotype was common to several genogroups, with all of these isolates being identified as A. meyeri. Despite the recent description of new Actinomyces spp., 19% of the isolates recovered in our routine laboratory belonged to novel genospecies. One novel group with three strains, Actinomyces houstonensis sp. nov., was phenotypically similar to A. meyeri and A. turicensis but was genotypically closest to Actinomyces neuii. A. houstonensis sp. nov. was associated with abscesses. Our data documented consistent site and disease associations for 21 genogroups of Actinomyces spp. that provide greater insights into appropriate treatments. However, we also demonstrated a complexity within the Actinomyces genus that compromises the biochemical identification of Actinomyces that can be performed in most clinical laboratories. It is our hope that this large group of well-defined strains will be used to find a simple and accurate biochemical test for differentiation of the species in routine laboratories.

Research paper thumbnail of Taxonomic Subgroups of <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> Correlate with Clinical Presentation

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Sep 1, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of The Other Group G Streptococcus: Increased Detection of <i>Streptococcus canis</i> Ulcer Infections in Dog Owners

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Jul 1, 2007

Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be distinguished whe... more Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be distinguished when only Lancefield typing is performed. Phenotypic testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified S. canis associated with ulcer infections in dog owners. Because S. canis may be incorrectly identified (published biochemical descriptions are inconsistent), there may be an underestimation of the true number of infections. Identification of group G streptococci to the species level could have epidemiological and clinical implications. Case 1. A 53-year-old male owner of two large dogs had a history of diabetes mellitus complicated by peripheral neuropathy, impotence, retinopathy, and a previous amputation below the right knee for a nonhealing ulcer with osteomyelitis. He presented to his endocrinologist with a nonhealing left first metatarsal plantar ulcer. The 1.5-cm open ulcer had draining purulent material and was surrounded by a 2-cm rim of erythematous callused skin. The purulent material was sent for culture, and the predominant isolate was identified as Streptococcus canis. The ulcer was managed with multiple full-thickness debridements, continuous dermatology visits for 10 months, frequent dressing changes, and the use of a prosthetic shoe. Case 2. An 80-year-old man, a dog owner with a history of diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease, was admitted to the hospital for a gangrenous, blackened right first toe and cellulitis with associated ulcers on the adjacent toes. Significant, foul-smelling purulent material was expressed when pressure was placed on the toenail. The purulent material was sent for culture, and the predominant isolate was identified as S. canis. The patient was managed with vancomycin in the hospital and was discharged with 2 weeks of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Case 3. A 75-year-old dog-owning man with a history of T-10 paraplegia secondary to a fall was admitted to the hospital with fever and chills. He had multiple medical problems, including bilateral lower-extremity edema with multiple open sores draining serosanguinous material and chronic osteomyelitis of the ischium secondary to a pressure sore. Attempts to cover the ischial sore with skin grafts had failed. Blood cultures drawn upon admission grew group G streptococci, which were identified as S. canis (susceptible to erythromycin and penicillin). Of interest, the patient had had a previous positive blood

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical Significance and Characterization of Streptococcus tigurinus Isolates in an Adult Population

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Nov 1, 2015

a Each available isolate was analyzed using the bioMérieux Vitek 2 microbial identification syste... more a Each available isolate was analyzed using the bioMérieux Vitek 2 microbial identification system and the Bruker MALDI-TOF MS following the manufacturers' recommendations. Using these methods, incorrect identifications were provided for each isolate. All isolates were identified as S. tigurinus by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of a Selection Strategy Before Use of 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for the Identification of Clinically Significant Gram-Negative Rods and Coccobacilli

American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Sep 1, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Content Alerts

This article cites 13 articles, 6 of which can be accessed free at:

Research paper thumbnail of Running title: Streptococcus canis infections in humans

Research paper thumbnail of MECHANICS OF THE PROCESS..........................................................................................................................841 Choice of the 16S rRNA Gene as the Gene To Sequence

Research paper thumbnail of Strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species in routine clinical laboratory yields Bartonella henselae from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient and unique Bartonella strain from his cat

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1995

We wished to develop a cost-effective, rapid strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species i... more We wished to develop a cost-effective, rapid strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species in the clinical laboratory and to determine the prevalence of Bartonella infection in the Houston veteran population. Bartonella colonies were identified by colony morphology, Gram stain, RapID ANA, repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (REP-PCR) and whole-cell fatty acid (CFA) analysis, and these methods were compared for their usefulness. A new test order for "Rochalimaea culture" (the genus Bartonella was previously known as the genus Rochalimaea) was instituted, and in addition, all blood specimens submitted for fungal culture (obtained in an isolator tube) were processed for Bartonella culture. Over a 16-month period we isolated Bartonella henselae from only 0.4% (2 of 533) of total cultures but from 1% (2 of 204) of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. After sufficient growth, identification of the Bartonella isolates to the species level could be obtained in 2 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Aerococcus urinae in Urinary Tract Infections

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2000

Aerococcus urinae is a rarely reported pathogen, possibly due to difficulties in the identificati... more Aerococcus urinae is a rarely reported pathogen, possibly due to difficulties in the identification of the organism. A. urinae is a gram-positive coccus that grows in pairs and clusters, produces alpha-hemolysis on blood agar, and is negative for catalase and pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase. Some of these characteristics and its being absent from the databases of most commercial identification systems could allow A. urinae to be misidentified as a streptococcus, enterococcus, or staphylococcus. We report two cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by A. urinae and characterize these isolates by morphology, biochemical testing, whole-cell fatty acid analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and antibiotic susceptibilities. Most patients infected with A. urinae are elderly males with predisposing conditions who present initially with UTI. Because A. urinae is resistant to sulfonamides, treatment could be inappropriate, with infections resulting in serious complications, including death. I...

Research paper thumbnail of Characterization of a novel Rochalimaea species, R. henselae sp. nov., isolated from blood of a febrile, human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1992

Isolation of a Rochalimaea-like organism from a febrile patient infected with human immunodeficie... more Isolation of a Rochalimaea-like organism from a febrile patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus was confirmed. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, together with polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease length polymorphism analysis of a portion of the citrate synthase gene, demonstrated that the agent is closely related to members of the genus Rochalimaea and that the isolate is genotypically identical to the presumptive etiologic agent of bacillary angiomatosis. However, the same genotypic analyses readily differentiated the new isolate from isolates of other recognized Rochalimaea species as well as other genera of bacteria previously suggested as putative etiologic agents of bacillary angiomatosis and related syndromes. We propose that the novel species be referred to as Rochalimaea henselae sp. now.

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical microbiology of coryneform bacteria

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 1997

Coryneform bacteria are aerobically growing, asporogenous, non-partially-acid-fast, gram-positive... more Coryneform bacteria are aerobically growing, asporogenous, non-partially-acid-fast, gram-positive rods of irregular morphology. Within the last few years, there has been a massive increase in the number of publications related to all aspects of their clinical microbiology. Clinical microbiologists are often confronted with making identifications within this heterogeneous group as well as with considerations of the clinical significance of such isolates. This review provides comprehensive information on the identification of coryneform bacteria and outlines recent changes in taxonomy. The following genera are covered: Corynebacterium, Turicella, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Dermabacter. Propionibacterium, Rothia, Exiguobacterium, Oerskovia, Cellulomonas, Sanguibacter, Microbacterium, Aureobacterium, "Corynebacterium aquaticum," Arcanobacterium, and Actinomyces. Case reports claiming disease associations of coryneform bacteria are critically reviewed. Minimal microbiologica...

Research paper thumbnail of Genotypic and phenotypic characterization and clinical significance of ‘Haemophilus quentini’ isolated from the urinary tract of adult men

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Necessity of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identifying Haemophilus parainfluenzae-like strains associated with opportunistic urinary tract infections

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2014

The identification of Haemophilus spp. from urogenital sites can be challenging due to the lack o... more The identification of Haemophilus spp. from urogenital sites can be challenging due to the lack of appropriate media for culturing the organisms and the poor resolution of biochemical methods. By incorporating chocolate agar and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis in our protocol to identify Haemophilus spp. from urinary specimens, we isolated and characterized 30 genetically homogeneous strains of a cryptic species that is phylogenetically close to, but distinct from, Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Commercial biochemical kits and VITEK 2 could not distinguish between the two species. Over 90 % of the strains were isolated from urine and the urogenital area, made possible with the inclusion of chocolate agar in our urine culture protocol. In contrast, no Haemophilus strains isolated from respiratory specimens were identified as the cryptic genospecies. The cryptic genospecies was associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in certain patient populations. Distinct from Haemophilus quent...

Research paper thumbnail of Genotypic Diversity of Clinical Actinomyces Species: Phenotype, Source, and Disease Correlation among Genospecies

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2002

We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical labo... more We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical laboratory and investigated the clinical significance of accurate identification to the species level. We identified 92 clinical strains of Actinomyces , including 13 strains in the related Arcanobacterium-Actinobaculum taxon, by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and recorded their biotypes, sources, and disease associations. The clinical isolates clustered into 21 genogroups. Twelve genogroups (74 strains) correlated with a known species, and nine genogroups (17 strains) did not. The individual species had source and disease correlates. Actinomyces turicensis was the most frequently isolated species and was associated with genitourinary tract specimens, often with other organisms and rarely with inflammatory cells. Actinomyces radingae was most often associated with serious, chronic soft tissue abscesses of the breast, chest, and back. Actinomyces europaeus was associated with skin abscesses ...

Research paper thumbnail of Thumb Infection Caused by Streptococcus pseudoporcinus

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2009

Streptococcus pseudoporcinus , a recently described organism found in the genitourinary tract of ... more Streptococcus pseudoporcinus , a recently described organism found in the genitourinary tract of women, was isolated from a thumb wound in a male patient subsequent to trauma. This case describes a rarely reported non-genitourinary tract clinical isolate of S. pseudoporcinus .

Research paper thumbnail of The Other Group G Streptococcus: Increased Detection of Streptococcus canis Ulcer Infections in Dog Owners

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2007

β-Hemolytic Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be disti... more β-Hemolytic Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be distinguished when only Lancefield typing is performed. Phenotypic testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified S. canis associated with ulcer infections in dog owners. Because S. canis may be incorrectly identified (published biochemical descriptions are inconsistent), there may be an underestimation of the true number of infections. Identification of group G streptococci to the species level could have epidemiological and clinical implications.

Research paper thumbnail of 16S Ribosomal DNA Sequence Analysis Distinguishes Biotypes of Streptococcus bovis : Streptococcus bovis Biotype II/2 Is a Separate Genospecies and the Predominant Clinical Isolate in Adult Males

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2001

We characterized 22 human clinical strains of Streptococcus bovis by genotypic (16S rRNA gene seq... more We characterized 22 human clinical strains of Streptococcus bovis by genotypic (16S rRNA gene sequence analysis [MicroSeq]; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and phenotypic (API 20 Strep and Rapid ID32 Strep systems (bioMerieux Vitek, Hazelton, Mo.) methods. The strains, isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine, formed two distinct 16S ribosomal DNA sequence clusters. Three strains which were associated with endocarditis urinary tract infection (UTI), and sepsis clustered with the S. bovis type strain ATCC 33317 (cluster 1); other closely related type strains were S. equinus and S. infantarius . Nineteen strains clustered at a distance of about 2.5% dissimilarity to the S. bovis type strain (cluster 2) and were associated with central nervous system (CNS) disease in addition to endocarditis, UTI, and sepsis. All strains were distinct from S. gallolyticus . Within cluster 2, a single strain grouped with ATCC strain 43143 (cluster 2a) and may be phenotypically ...

Research paper thumbnail of Isolation of<i>Bordetella avium</i>and Novel<i>Bordetella</i>Strain from Patients with Respiratory Disease

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2009

Bordetella avium is thought to be strictly an avian pathogen. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing i... more Bordetella avium is thought to be strictly an avian pathogen. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing identifi ed 2 isolates from 2 humans with respiratory disease as B. avium and a novel B. avium-like strain. Thus, B. avium and B. avium-like organisms are rare opportunistic human pathogens. S everal Bordetella species have been associated with respiratory disease in humans. Although B. avium is thought to be strictly an animal pathogen that causes tracheobronchitis in wild and domesticated birds (1,2), infections in birds share many of the clinical and histopathologic features of disease in mammals caused by B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica (3). Human cases of respiratory disease associated with B. avium have only recently been reported in patients with cystic fi brosis (4). We describe 2 isolates, B. avium and a novel strain resembling B. avium, isolated from 2 patients with pneumonia, thereby demonstrating that B. avium and B. avium-like organisms are opportunistic human pathogens.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species in routine clinical laboratory yields Bartonella henselae from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient and unique Bartonella strain from his cat

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Aug 1, 1995

Research paper thumbnail of Genotypic Diversity of Clinical <i>Actinomyces</i> Species: Phenotype, Source, and Disease Correlation among Genospecies

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Sep 1, 2002

We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical labo... more We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical laboratory and investigated the clinical significance of accurate identification to the species level. We identified 92 clinical strains of Actinomyces, including 13 strains in the related Arcanobacterium-Actinobaculum taxon, by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and recorded their biotypes, sources, and disease associations. The clinical isolates clustered into 21 genogroups. Twelve genogroups (74 strains) correlated with a known species, and nine genogroups (17 strains) did not. The individual species had source and disease correlates. Actinomyces turicensis was the most frequently isolated species and was associated with genitourinary tract specimens, often with other organisms and rarely with inflammatory cells. Actinomyces radingae was most often associated with serious, chronic soft tissue abscesses of the breast, chest, and back. Actinomyces europaeus was associated with skin abscesses of the neck and genital areas. Actinomyces lingnae, Actinomyces gravenitzii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, and Actinomyces meyeri were isolated from respiratory specimens, while A. odontolyticus-like strains were isolated from diverse sources. Several of the species were commonly coisolated with a particular bacterium: Actinomyces israelii was the only Actinomyces spp. coisolated with Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) actinomycetemcomitans; Actinomyces meyeri was coisolated with Peptostreptococcus micros and was the only species other than A. israelii associated with sulfur granules in histological specimens. Most genogroups had consistent biotypes (as determined with the RapID ANA II system); however, strains were misidentified, and many codes were not in the database. One biotype was common to several genogroups, with all of these isolates being identified as A. meyeri. Despite the recent description of new Actinomyces spp., 19% of the isolates recovered in our routine laboratory belonged to novel genospecies. One novel group with three strains, Actinomyces houstonensis sp. nov., was phenotypically similar to A. meyeri and A. turicensis but was genotypically closest to Actinomyces neuii. A. houstonensis sp. nov. was associated with abscesses. Our data documented consistent site and disease associations for 21 genogroups of Actinomyces spp. that provide greater insights into appropriate treatments. However, we also demonstrated a complexity within the Actinomyces genus that compromises the biochemical identification of Actinomyces that can be performed in most clinical laboratories. It is our hope that this large group of well-defined strains will be used to find a simple and accurate biochemical test for differentiation of the species in routine laboratories.

Research paper thumbnail of Taxonomic Subgroups of <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> Correlate with Clinical Presentation

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Sep 1, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of The Other Group G Streptococcus: Increased Detection of <i>Streptococcus canis</i> Ulcer Infections in Dog Owners

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Jul 1, 2007

Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be distinguished whe... more Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be distinguished when only Lancefield typing is performed. Phenotypic testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified S. canis associated with ulcer infections in dog owners. Because S. canis may be incorrectly identified (published biochemical descriptions are inconsistent), there may be an underestimation of the true number of infections. Identification of group G streptococci to the species level could have epidemiological and clinical implications. Case 1. A 53-year-old male owner of two large dogs had a history of diabetes mellitus complicated by peripheral neuropathy, impotence, retinopathy, and a previous amputation below the right knee for a nonhealing ulcer with osteomyelitis. He presented to his endocrinologist with a nonhealing left first metatarsal plantar ulcer. The 1.5-cm open ulcer had draining purulent material and was surrounded by a 2-cm rim of erythematous callused skin. The purulent material was sent for culture, and the predominant isolate was identified as Streptococcus canis. The ulcer was managed with multiple full-thickness debridements, continuous dermatology visits for 10 months, frequent dressing changes, and the use of a prosthetic shoe. Case 2. An 80-year-old man, a dog owner with a history of diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease, was admitted to the hospital for a gangrenous, blackened right first toe and cellulitis with associated ulcers on the adjacent toes. Significant, foul-smelling purulent material was expressed when pressure was placed on the toenail. The purulent material was sent for culture, and the predominant isolate was identified as S. canis. The patient was managed with vancomycin in the hospital and was discharged with 2 weeks of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Case 3. A 75-year-old dog-owning man with a history of T-10 paraplegia secondary to a fall was admitted to the hospital with fever and chills. He had multiple medical problems, including bilateral lower-extremity edema with multiple open sores draining serosanguinous material and chronic osteomyelitis of the ischium secondary to a pressure sore. Attempts to cover the ischial sore with skin grafts had failed. Blood cultures drawn upon admission grew group G streptococci, which were identified as S. canis (susceptible to erythromycin and penicillin). Of interest, the patient had had a previous positive blood

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical Significance and Characterization of Streptococcus tigurinus Isolates in an Adult Population

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Nov 1, 2015

a Each available isolate was analyzed using the bioMérieux Vitek 2 microbial identification syste... more a Each available isolate was analyzed using the bioMérieux Vitek 2 microbial identification system and the Bruker MALDI-TOF MS following the manufacturers' recommendations. Using these methods, incorrect identifications were provided for each isolate. All isolates were identified as S. tigurinus by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of a Selection Strategy Before Use of 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for the Identification of Clinically Significant Gram-Negative Rods and Coccobacilli

American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Sep 1, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Content Alerts

This article cites 13 articles, 6 of which can be accessed free at:

Research paper thumbnail of Running title: Streptococcus canis infections in humans

Research paper thumbnail of MECHANICS OF THE PROCESS..........................................................................................................................841 Choice of the 16S rRNA Gene as the Gene To Sequence

Research paper thumbnail of Strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species in routine clinical laboratory yields Bartonella henselae from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient and unique Bartonella strain from his cat

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1995

We wished to develop a cost-effective, rapid strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species i... more We wished to develop a cost-effective, rapid strategy to detect and identify Bartonella species in the clinical laboratory and to determine the prevalence of Bartonella infection in the Houston veteran population. Bartonella colonies were identified by colony morphology, Gram stain, RapID ANA, repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (REP-PCR) and whole-cell fatty acid (CFA) analysis, and these methods were compared for their usefulness. A new test order for "Rochalimaea culture" (the genus Bartonella was previously known as the genus Rochalimaea) was instituted, and in addition, all blood specimens submitted for fungal culture (obtained in an isolator tube) were processed for Bartonella culture. Over a 16-month period we isolated Bartonella henselae from only 0.4% (2 of 533) of total cultures but from 1% (2 of 204) of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. After sufficient growth, identification of the Bartonella isolates to the species level could be obtained in 2 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Aerococcus urinae in Urinary Tract Infections

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2000

Aerococcus urinae is a rarely reported pathogen, possibly due to difficulties in the identificati... more Aerococcus urinae is a rarely reported pathogen, possibly due to difficulties in the identification of the organism. A. urinae is a gram-positive coccus that grows in pairs and clusters, produces alpha-hemolysis on blood agar, and is negative for catalase and pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase. Some of these characteristics and its being absent from the databases of most commercial identification systems could allow A. urinae to be misidentified as a streptococcus, enterococcus, or staphylococcus. We report two cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by A. urinae and characterize these isolates by morphology, biochemical testing, whole-cell fatty acid analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and antibiotic susceptibilities. Most patients infected with A. urinae are elderly males with predisposing conditions who present initially with UTI. Because A. urinae is resistant to sulfonamides, treatment could be inappropriate, with infections resulting in serious complications, including death. I...

Research paper thumbnail of Characterization of a novel Rochalimaea species, R. henselae sp. nov., isolated from blood of a febrile, human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1992

Isolation of a Rochalimaea-like organism from a febrile patient infected with human immunodeficie... more Isolation of a Rochalimaea-like organism from a febrile patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus was confirmed. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, together with polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease length polymorphism analysis of a portion of the citrate synthase gene, demonstrated that the agent is closely related to members of the genus Rochalimaea and that the isolate is genotypically identical to the presumptive etiologic agent of bacillary angiomatosis. However, the same genotypic analyses readily differentiated the new isolate from isolates of other recognized Rochalimaea species as well as other genera of bacteria previously suggested as putative etiologic agents of bacillary angiomatosis and related syndromes. We propose that the novel species be referred to as Rochalimaea henselae sp. now.

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical microbiology of coryneform bacteria

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 1997

Coryneform bacteria are aerobically growing, asporogenous, non-partially-acid-fast, gram-positive... more Coryneform bacteria are aerobically growing, asporogenous, non-partially-acid-fast, gram-positive rods of irregular morphology. Within the last few years, there has been a massive increase in the number of publications related to all aspects of their clinical microbiology. Clinical microbiologists are often confronted with making identifications within this heterogeneous group as well as with considerations of the clinical significance of such isolates. This review provides comprehensive information on the identification of coryneform bacteria and outlines recent changes in taxonomy. The following genera are covered: Corynebacterium, Turicella, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Dermabacter. Propionibacterium, Rothia, Exiguobacterium, Oerskovia, Cellulomonas, Sanguibacter, Microbacterium, Aureobacterium, "Corynebacterium aquaticum," Arcanobacterium, and Actinomyces. Case reports claiming disease associations of coryneform bacteria are critically reviewed. Minimal microbiologica...

Research paper thumbnail of Genotypic and phenotypic characterization and clinical significance of ‘Haemophilus quentini’ isolated from the urinary tract of adult men

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Necessity of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identifying Haemophilus parainfluenzae-like strains associated with opportunistic urinary tract infections

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2014

The identification of Haemophilus spp. from urogenital sites can be challenging due to the lack o... more The identification of Haemophilus spp. from urogenital sites can be challenging due to the lack of appropriate media for culturing the organisms and the poor resolution of biochemical methods. By incorporating chocolate agar and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis in our protocol to identify Haemophilus spp. from urinary specimens, we isolated and characterized 30 genetically homogeneous strains of a cryptic species that is phylogenetically close to, but distinct from, Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Commercial biochemical kits and VITEK 2 could not distinguish between the two species. Over 90 % of the strains were isolated from urine and the urogenital area, made possible with the inclusion of chocolate agar in our urine culture protocol. In contrast, no Haemophilus strains isolated from respiratory specimens were identified as the cryptic genospecies. The cryptic genospecies was associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in certain patient populations. Distinct from Haemophilus quent...

Research paper thumbnail of Genotypic Diversity of Clinical Actinomyces Species: Phenotype, Source, and Disease Correlation among Genospecies

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2002

We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical labo... more We determined the frequency distribution of Actinomyces spp. recovered in a routine clinical laboratory and investigated the clinical significance of accurate identification to the species level. We identified 92 clinical strains of Actinomyces , including 13 strains in the related Arcanobacterium-Actinobaculum taxon, by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and recorded their biotypes, sources, and disease associations. The clinical isolates clustered into 21 genogroups. Twelve genogroups (74 strains) correlated with a known species, and nine genogroups (17 strains) did not. The individual species had source and disease correlates. Actinomyces turicensis was the most frequently isolated species and was associated with genitourinary tract specimens, often with other organisms and rarely with inflammatory cells. Actinomyces radingae was most often associated with serious, chronic soft tissue abscesses of the breast, chest, and back. Actinomyces europaeus was associated with skin abscesses ...

Research paper thumbnail of Thumb Infection Caused by Streptococcus pseudoporcinus

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2009

Streptococcus pseudoporcinus , a recently described organism found in the genitourinary tract of ... more Streptococcus pseudoporcinus , a recently described organism found in the genitourinary tract of women, was isolated from a thumb wound in a male patient subsequent to trauma. This case describes a rarely reported non-genitourinary tract clinical isolate of S. pseudoporcinus .

Research paper thumbnail of The Other Group G Streptococcus: Increased Detection of Streptococcus canis Ulcer Infections in Dog Owners

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2007

β-Hemolytic Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be disti... more β-Hemolytic Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus canis cannot be distinguished when only Lancefield typing is performed. Phenotypic testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified S. canis associated with ulcer infections in dog owners. Because S. canis may be incorrectly identified (published biochemical descriptions are inconsistent), there may be an underestimation of the true number of infections. Identification of group G streptococci to the species level could have epidemiological and clinical implications.

Research paper thumbnail of 16S Ribosomal DNA Sequence Analysis Distinguishes Biotypes of Streptococcus bovis : Streptococcus bovis Biotype II/2 Is a Separate Genospecies and the Predominant Clinical Isolate in Adult Males

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2001

We characterized 22 human clinical strains of Streptococcus bovis by genotypic (16S rRNA gene seq... more We characterized 22 human clinical strains of Streptococcus bovis by genotypic (16S rRNA gene sequence analysis [MicroSeq]; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and phenotypic (API 20 Strep and Rapid ID32 Strep systems (bioMerieux Vitek, Hazelton, Mo.) methods. The strains, isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine, formed two distinct 16S ribosomal DNA sequence clusters. Three strains which were associated with endocarditis urinary tract infection (UTI), and sepsis clustered with the S. bovis type strain ATCC 33317 (cluster 1); other closely related type strains were S. equinus and S. infantarius . Nineteen strains clustered at a distance of about 2.5% dissimilarity to the S. bovis type strain (cluster 2) and were associated with central nervous system (CNS) disease in addition to endocarditis, UTI, and sepsis. All strains were distinct from S. gallolyticus . Within cluster 2, a single strain grouped with ATCC strain 43143 (cluster 2a) and may be phenotypically ...