Spirochetes isolated from mosquitoes constitute a novel genus Entomospira genus novum

The phylum Spirochaetes encompasses motile free-living, host associated and parasitic microorganisms that are determined by their distinct helical morphology. The Order Spirochaetales contains the family Spirochaetaceae. Unique spirochetal strains were isolated between 1999 and 2002 in the Czech Republic from mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Culex and blackflies (genus Simulium). The bacteria were mainly found in aquatic larval stages. Analyses of conserved proteins and phylogenies suggest that these isolates form a new genus containing several new species.