Notes: Listeria welshimeri sp. nov. and Listeria seeligeri sp. nov.

Abstract

The names Listeria welshimeri sp. nov. and Listeria seeligeri sp. nov. are proposed for two groups of gram-positive, asporogenous, motile, aerobic bacilli that were previously classified as nonpathogenic Listeria monocytogenes. The separation of both of these new species from L. monocytogenes is supported by the results of deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness studies, determinations of biochemical characteristics, and studies of pathogenicity for adult mice. The new species differ from each other and from the recently proposed species Listeria innocua by deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness and biochemical features. The type strain of L. welshimeri is strain CIP 8149, and the type strain of L. seeligeri is strain CIP 100100.