Journal of Dental Research, Vol 62, 960-963, Copyright © 1983 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Fusobacterium periodonticum, a new species from the human oral cavity
J. Slots, T. V. Potts and P. A. Mashimo
Isolates of Fusobacterium that differ from type strains of various
fusobacterial species with respect to DNA sequence, cellular fatty acid
composition, and biochemical activity, were obtained from periodontitis
lesions in a patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These
isolates have the following distinguishing characteristics: 28% guanine +
cytosine content; 40% or less DNA homology with type strains of
representative fusobacterial species; cell size, 0.5 - 1 X 4 -100 microns;
absence of motility; ability to ferment glucose, fructose, and galactose,
but not 25 other carbohydrates; ability to produce indole; ability to
hydrolyze hippurate but not esculin; sensitivity to bile; ability to
produce little or no gas; ability to utilize threonine but not lactate. We
propose that the organisms be classified as a distinct species of
Fusobacterium to be named Fusobacterium periodonticum. The type strain of
this new species has been deposited with the American Type Culture
Collection under the designation ATCC 33693.
