Atopobium

Abstract

Classification. The genus Atopobium was introduced by Collins and Wallbanks1 to reclassify species formerly designated Lactobacillus minutus (Hauduroy 1937), Lactobacillus rimae, and Streptococcus parvulus (Weinberg 1937). In 1999, Eubacterium fossor2 and a newly described species, Atopobium vaginae,3 were placed in the genus.4 Although the genus Atopobium, belonging to the family Coriobacteraceae,5 has a low G + C content, it represents a deep branch within the high G + C gram-positive bacteria, the Actinobacteria.6 Coriobacterium glomerans is the closest phylogenetic relative.3 Today, the genus houses five species: A. Vaginae (type strain CCUG 38953T), A. Rimae (ATCC 49626T), A. Parvulum (ATCC 33793T), A. Fossor (NCTC 11919T), and A. Minutum (ATCC 33267T), the latter being the type species.1