GUIDELINES

Chapter 3-1. Appendix: Latest classification and nomenclaturefor anaerobes

� Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases 2011

Bacterial taxonomists have been attempting to establish a

phylogeny which reflects the natural relationships among

bacteria. Already in the latter half of the previous century,

a classification reorganization was started, based on the

view that comparison of the primary structures of giant

molecules using molecular biology methods would eluci-

date the phylogenic development of bacteria. In 2005, the

second edition of Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacte-

riology [1] was published. At present, Parts A and B of its

Volumes 1 and 2 are available. A taxonomic system, in

which the results of analysis using small subunits for a

molecular sequencing technique serve as markers of phy-

logenic development, is described.

According to the new taxonomic system, most of the

anaerobes discussed in the fields of medicine (particularly

those isolated from infected cases) belong to one of the

six phyla: (1) Bacteroidetes, (2) Fusobacteria, (3) Pro-

teobacteria, (4) Firmicutes, (5) Actinobacteria, and (6)

Spirochetes. Excerpts on the bacteria of each phylum will

be presented below. The classification shown here is

based on the latest information available as of January

2007.

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Reference

1. Bernner DJ, Krieg NR, Staley JT, editors. Bergey’s manual of

systematic Bacteriology. 2nd ed, vol. 2, Part A. Berlin: Springer;

2005.

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