This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Blomqvist, G. Articles by Friman, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Blomqvist, G. Articles by Friman, G.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 08 1997, 1988-1995, Vol 35, No. 8
Copyright © 1997 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic placement and characterization of a new alpha-2 proteobacterium isolated from a patient with sepsis

G Blomqvist, L Wesslen, C Pahlson, E Hjelm, B Pettersson, T Nikkila, U Allard, O Svensson, M Uhlen, B Morein and G Friman
Department of Virology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

An alpha-2 proteobacterium, previously unknown as determined by its phylogenetic characteristics and the DNA sequence of its 16S rRNA gene, was isolated from a patient who presented an unusual clinical picture, including high remitting fever and multiorgan involvement. The bacterium was detected in multiple plasma samples, obtained during the acute phase of the disease, after cocultivation in cell culture media. Electron microscopy of the organism showed a three-layer laminar cell wall and electron-dense granules within the cytoplasm, as well as a polar flagellum. By means of PCR followed by sequencing of amplified 16S ribosomal DNA fragments, the bacterium was found to differ from all species for which ribosomal sequence information is available. It is here provisionally named the Rasbo bacterium. At a subsequent relapse, the bacterium was identified in pericardial fluid both by PCR/sequencing and by direct electron microscopy. At a second relapse, it was again cultured from plasma. After in vitro adaptation to solid media, the MICs of various antibiotics could be determined. A transient immunoglobulin M (IgM) but no IgG response to the bacterium was found by an indirect immunofluorescence test, as well as by an immobilization test during the acute phase of the disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Thomas, V., Herrera-Rimann, K., Blanc, D. S., Greub, G. (2006). Biodiversity of Amoebae and Amoeba-Resisting Bacteria in a Hospital Water Network. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 2428-2438 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Breitschwerdt, E. B., Atkins, C. E., Brown, T. T., Kordick, D. L., Snyder, P. S. (1999). Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Related Members of the Alpha Subdivision of the Proteobacteria in Dogs with Cardiac Arrhythmias, Endocarditis, or Myocarditis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37: 3618-3626 [Abstract] [Full Text]