title: Characterization of 17 strains belonging to the Mycobacterium simiae complex and description of Mycobacterium paraense sp. nov.
abstract: Fourteen mycobacterial strains isolated from pulmonary samples of independent patients in the state of Pará (Brazil), and three strains isolated in Italy, were characterized using a polyphasic approach. Thorough genetic investigation, including whole-genome sequencing, demonstrated that the strains belong to the M. simiae complex, being most closely related to Mycobacterium interjectum. For 14 of the strains, evidence emerged supporting their inclusion in a previously unreported species of the genus Mycobacterium, for which the name Mycobacterium paraense sp. nov. is proposed (type strain, IEC26(T) = DSM 46749(T) = CCUG 66121(T)). The novel species is characterized by slow growth, unpigmented or pale yellow scotochromogenic colonies, and a HPLC mycolic acid profile different from other known mycobacteria. In different genetic regions, high sequence microheterogeneity was detected.
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fusco da Costa
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Tarcisio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fedrizzi
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pecorari
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wana L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Oliveira da Costa
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giacobazzi
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jeann R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: da Costa Bahia
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karla V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Batista Lima
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertorelli
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grottola
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabio
authors.affiliation: Genetic Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mariottini
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Leva
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fregni Serpini
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tagliazucchi
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rumpianesi
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jousson
authors.affiliation: NGS Facility, Laboratory of Biomolecular Sequence and Structure Analysis for Health, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Segata
authors.affiliation: Emerging Bacterial Pathogens Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tortoli
mesh_terms: D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001938:Brazil; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D009171:Mycolic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009171:Mycolic Acids; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S