Predominant catalase-negative soil bacteria. II. Occurrence and characterization of Actinomyces humiferus, sp. N.
A microorganism resembling an Actinomyces species was found to be a numerically predominant inhabitant of various organically rich soils. This organism forms a hyphal-like structure with true branching that fragments into gram-positive diphtheroid and coccoid elements. Its cells ferment carbohydrates and contain both lysine and ornithine as the major basic amino acids of the cell wall. It is catalase-negative, microaerophilic to aerobic, and sensitive to lysozyme, and it is dependent on an organic nitrogen source and incubation at 30 C for optimum growth. Based on these characteristics, a new species, Actinomyces humiferus, is proposed. The ecological and medical implications of a large soil population of this microorganism are discussed.
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000032:analysis; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012988:Soil Microbiology
D000596:Amino Acids