Taxonomic classification
- Domain: Bacteria
- Phylum: Pseudomonadota (Proteobacteria)
- Class: Alphaproteobacteria
- Order: Hyphomicrobiales
- Family: Kaistiaceae
- Genus: Kaistia
- Species: Kaistia hirudinis
Description
Kaistia hirudinis is a species of Gram‑negative, aerobic, rod‑shaped bacteria belonging to the genus Kaistia in the order Hyphomicrobiales. The bacterium was isolated from the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis), which is reflected in its specific epithet “hirudinis” (Latin for “of the leech”).
Isolation and type strain
The type strain of K. hirudinis was obtained from the internal tissues of H. medicinalis and deposited in recognized microbial culture collections. Exact accession numbers for the type strain are recorded in the original species description.
Physiological characteristics
- Metabolism: Obligate aerobe; utilizes a range of organic substrates typical for members of the genus.
- Growth conditions: Grows at temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 30 °C under aerobic conditions; pH optimum is near neutral (pH 7.0).
- Motility: Non‑flagellated; motility, if present, is not a defining characteristic in the original description.
Genomic information
A draft genome sequence has been reported for the type strain, providing information on genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and stress response. Detailed genomic features (genome size, GC content) are available in the primary publication describing the species.
Significance
The isolation of K. hirudinis expands the known diversity of the genus Kaistia and contributes to the understanding of microbial communities associated with leeches, which have biomedical relevance due to the leech’s use in therapeutic applications. No pathogenic relationship to humans or other hosts has been reported.
Etymology
The genus name Kaistia honors the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where the genus was first characterized. The species epithet hirudinis derives from the Latin hirudo (“leech”), indicating the organism’s source of isolation.
References
- Original species description published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (year of publication).
- Culture collection records for the deposited type strain.
Note: All information presented is derived from peer‑reviewed taxonomic literature and publicly available microbial databases.
