Campylobacter novaezeelandiae sp. nov., isolated from birds and water in New Zealand

Abstract

Six isolates of <i>Campylobacter</i> with similar non-standard colonial morphologies were identified during studies isolating <i>Campylobacter</i> from bird faeces and rivers in New Zealand. Genomic (16S rRNA gene sequencing and whole genome analysis) and phenotypic (MALDI-TOF analysis and conventional biochemical tests) showed that the isolates form a monophyletic clade with genetic relationships to <i>Campylobacter coli</i>/<i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> and <i>Campylobacter peloridis</i>/<i>Campylobacter amoricus</i>. They may be distinguished from other <i>Campylobacter</i> by their MALDI-TOF spectral pattern, their florid α-haemolysis, their ability to grow anaerobically at 37 °C, and on 2 % NaCl nutrient agar, and their lack of hippuricase. This study shows that these isolates represent a novel species within the genus <i>Campylobacter</i> for which the name <i>Campylobacter novaezeelandiae</i> sp. nov. is proposed. The presence of <i>C. novaezeelandiae</i> in water may be a confounder for freshwater microbial risk assessment as they may not be pathogenic for humans. The type strain is B423b^T (=NZRM 4741^T=ATCC TSD-167^T).