Actinomyces hordeovulneris sp. nov., an Agent of Canine Actinomycosis

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Abstract
Of 30 Actinomyces strains isolated from infections in dogs, 15 were found to have galactose, glucose, and rhamnose in their cell wall carbohydrates, whereas the remainder had only galactose and glucose. No 6-deoxytalose was detected in any of our analyses. The biochemical characteristics of the rhamnose-positive strains deficient in 6-deoxytalose were similar to those of Actinomyces viscosus ATCC 19246 and ATCC 27045, a reference dog strain. In contrast, the 15 strains having only galactose and glucose in their wall carbohydrates had biochemical and serological characteristics unlike those of any previously accepted species of Actinomyces. The name Actinomyces hordeovulneris sp. nov. is proposed for this organism which is associated with thoracic, abdominal, or recurrent localized infections that sometimes are associated with awns of foxtails (Hordeum spp). The type strain of A. hordeovulneris is strain ATCC 35275 (= UCD 81-332-9).