Turicibacter bilis

Turicibacter bilis is a species of Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria within the genus Turicibacter. It was first described in 2022 after being isolated from the eggshells of white leghorn chickens and the ileum of a healthy pig in the United States.^[1]

Turicibacter bilis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Bacillati
Phylum:	Bacillota
Class:	Erysipelotrichia
Order:	Erysipelotrichales
Family:	Turicibacteraceae
Genus:	Turicibacter
Species:	T. bilis
Binomial name
Turicibacter bilis Maki & Looft 2022
Type strain
ATCC TSD-238 (= CCUG 74757)

Etymology

The species name bilis is derived from Latin, meaning "of bile", referencing the bacterium's bile-associated isolation sources and its bile-resistant characteristics.^[1]

Taxonomy

Turicibacter bilis is a member of the family Turicibacteraceae within the order Erysipelotrichales. Prior to its identification, the genus Turicibacter included only one validly published species, Turicibacter sanguinis. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and whole-genome sequence comparisons revealed that strains MMM721^T, ISU324, and PIG517 represent a distinct species within the genus.^[1]

Morphology and physiology

Cells of T. bilis are pleomorphic, appearing as long chains of rods or coccoid clusters. They are non-motile, catalase-negative, and form spores. The bacterium grows optimally at 42°C and pH 7.5, with growth observed between 30–45°C and pH 6.5–8.5. Colonies on modified brain heart infusion agar supplemented with glycerol and lactate (BHIGL) are small to medium-sized, irregularly shaped, and umbonate with undulating margins, appearing opaque white to translucent tan or grey after 1–2 days of incubation.^[1]

Its primary fermentation end products are lactate, acetate, and butyrate.^[1]

Genomics

The genome of the type strain MMM721^T is approximately 2.7 Mb in size with a G+C content of 34.4 mol%. Whole-genome sequencing revealed average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 76.4% (ANIb) and 86.0% (ANIm) when compared to T. sanguinis, supporting its classification as a separate species.^[1]