title: Microbiology and epidemiology of Halomonas species.
abstract: Halomonas has been organized as a genus since 1980, and comprises halophilic and/or halotolerant Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, typically found in saline environments. The genus is enlarging: at present, 76 species are taxonomically recognized, with more to be added. Increasing industrial uses have been found, largely in bioremediation and the production of desirable compounds. Originally seen as environmental contaminants, pathogenicity was initially not recognized; however, disease in algae, animals and humans has now been described. As the biotechnological use of these species increases, and the ability to isolate and recognize them improves, one might expect further pathogenic encounters with humans to be described.
authors.affiliation: Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang Kyu
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung-Sook
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D020632:Halomonas / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny