Taxonom ic relationships of the [ Pasteurella ] haemolytica

3 National Institute of Public Health, Department of Bacteriology, PO Box 4404 Torshov, 0403 Oslo, Norway The present paper presents the conclusions of a polyphasic investigation of the taxonomy of the t re ha loseneg a t ive [Pasteurella] haemolytica com p I ex. Clusters previously identified by ribotyping and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) have been evaluated by 165 rRNA sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridizations. Results obtained by the different techniques were highly related and indicated that the [P.] haemolytica complex contains distinct genetic and phenotypic groups. A t least seven species were outlined, five of which were named. We refrained in formal naming of more groups until additional strains are characterized. Five 165 rRNA clusters were identified corresponding to distinct lineages previously outlined by MEE. Within 165 rRNA cluster I two distinct genotypic groups have been outlined in addition to [PJ haemolytica sensu stricto (biogroup 1). Each of the clusters II, 111, IV and V represent at least one new species. The investigations underline that [P,] haemolytica sensu stricto only contains strains that do not ferment L-arabinose even though they are referred to as ‘biotype A’ of [P,] haemolytica. The five 165 rRNA clusters identified had a common root relative to the other species within the family Pasteurellaceae, and the overall sequence similarity among these five clusters was higher than what is observed within the existing genera of the family. The allocation of the trehalose-negative [P,] haemolytica complex to a new genus seems to be indicated. Based on the polyphasic investigation performed a new genus Mannheimia is proposed for the trehalose-negative [P,] haemolytica complex. A t the present stage two previously named species are transferred to this new genus and three new species are described. [P.] haemolytica is reclassified as Mannheimia haemolytica comb. nov., whereas Pasteurella granulomatis, Bisgaard taxon 20 and [P.] haemolytica biovar 3J are reclassified and combined in the species Mannheimia granulomatis com b. nov. Mannheimia glucosida sp. nov.