Fusobacterium periodonticum, A New Species from the Human Oral Cavity

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 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 μm; 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.