Pauljensenia

Pauljensenia is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria in the family Actinomycetaceae. It was established in 2018 during a genome-based taxonomic reorganization of the phylum Actinomycetota, and currently contains a single validly published species, Pauljensenia hongkongensis. The genus is named in honor of microbiologist Paul R. Jensen, noted for his contributions to the study of marine actinomycetes.

Taxonomy

The genus Pauljensenia was proposed in 2018 following a large-scale phylogenomic analysis of the class Actinomycetia. The type species, Pauljensenia hongkongensis, had originally been described in 2003 as Actinomyces hongkongensis based on isolates from a patient with pelvic actinomycosis in Hong Kong. Its reassignment was supported by genomic evidence including average nucleotide identity and marker gene phylogeny.

Species within this genus are strictly anaerobic, non-motile, and non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacteria. They stain Gram-positive and grow optimally at mesophilic temperatures around 37°C. The type species was isolated from human blood cultures and abscess material.

Pauljensenia is a monotypic genus, containing only Pauljensenia hongkongensis.