Rothia nasimurium

Rothia nasimurium is a species of Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria in the family Micrococcaceae. It was first isolated from the nasal cavity of a healthy mouse and formally described in 2000. The name derives from Latin meaning "of the nose of mice". ^[1] It belongs to the Rothia genus, whose members are typically found as commensals in mammals and birds.

Rothia nasimurium
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Bacillati
Phylum:	Actinomycetota
Class:	Actinomycetes
Order:	Micrococcales
Family:	Micrococcaceae
Genus:	Rothia
Species:	R. nasimurium
Binomial name
Rothia nasimurium Collins et al., 2000
Type strain
B905/96 (DSM 15694, CCUG 35957, JCM 10909, CIP 106912)

Taxonomy

Rothia nasimurium belongs to the genus Rothia within the phylum Actinomycetota. It was described as a novel species by Collins et al. in 2000 alongside the reclassification of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus as Rothia mucilaginosa.^[1]

Ecology

Rothia nasimurium is found in the nasal and oral microbiota of rodents, pigs, dogs, and birds. Initially isolated from a mouse, it has since been identified in pig tonsils, canine oral swabs, and even wild goose eggs.^[2] It has also been isolated from air samples in animal barns, indicating potential airborne transmission in farm settings.

Clinical relevance

While generally a commensal, R. nasimurium has been implicated in opportunistic infections. It was associated with polymicrobial skin infections in dogs, where it exhibited synergistic hemolysis with staphylococci.^[3]

In 2022, it was identified as the cause of an outbreak in farmed geese in China, characterized by feather loss, lethargy, and inappetence. Experimental infection confirmed its pathogenicity in geese, and the isolate was resistant to most tested antibiotics.^[4]

Antimicrobial resistance genes have been identified in multiple strains, raising concerns about its emerging role as a multidrug-resistant opportunist in veterinary settings.^[5]