Romboutsia

Romboutsia is a genus of Gram-positive-staining, spore-forming, obligately anaerobic bacteria in the family Peptostreptococcaceae. Cells are rod-shaped and inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, where they ferment diverse carbohydrates and participate in bile acid transformations.

Etymology

The genus name honours Dutch microbiologist Frans M. Rombouts for his contributions to food microbiology and probiotic research.

Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes and whole-genome data places Romboutsia within the class Clostridia, distinct from the polyphyletic ‘‘Clostridium’’ sensu lato group. Comparative genomics of the type strain Romboutsia ilealis CRIB^T reveals extensive adaptation to the small intestine, including genes for bile-salt tolerance and rapid carbohydrate uptake.
Recognised species :Romboutsia faecis – cultured from human faeces in a gut microbiome biobank.Romboutsia ilealis – type species, isolated from the rat ileum.Romboutsia lituseburensis – reclassified from Clostridium lituseburense.Romboutsia sedimentorum – isolated from alkaline-saline lake sediment in Daqing, China.Romboutsia timonensis – cultured from the human gut in Marseille, France.
Cells are catalase-negative rods with oval, subterminal spores. Optimal growth occurs at 37°C on complex media containing 0.5–2 % bile salts.