Staphylococcus starkensis sp. nov., a new member of the zoonotic Staphylococcus intermedius Group (SIG). Staphylococcus starkensis

We here describe a novel species in the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) which is phenotypically similar to S. pseudintermedius but is genomically distinct from other SIG members, with an Average Nucleotide Identity of 90.2% with closest relative S. intermedius. The type strain (culture collection accession numbers to be added in revision) was isolated from a human wound infection in Cornwall, UK and carries an array of virulence genes but no known mobilizable antibiotic resistance genes. This is the eighth coagulase positive pathogenic Staphylococcus species described. Further studies are required to assess the prevalence of this species in humans as well as companion animals and its potential importance as an emerging zoonosis.