Abstract

Objective: In this study, we report the isolation of a new bacterial strain from post-caesarean surgical site wound infection. Methods: The strain, named AW1, was identified as a streptococcal species based on morphological and biochemical features. Interestingly, this species was not grouped using the Lancefield Grouping Assay. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was done. Results: The bacterium was a facultative anaerobic, non-haemolytic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, Gram-positive coccus, arranged in chains. It was negative for catalase and oxidase activities. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that there was 99% concordance between the 16S rRNA of AW1 and that of the most closely related species such as Streptococcus anginosus F0211 and another species of streptococci in the neighbour-joining tree, Streptococcus species CM36. Conclusions: Based on these interesting findings, we propose a new and novel subspecies, Streptococcus anginosus AW1.