Whole Genome Sequencing-Based Taxonomic Identification of Dulcitol-Positive Cronobacter dublinensis subsp. beijingensis subsp. nov. and Cronobacter dublinensis subsp. infanticibi subsp. nov. from Infant Cereals in China.

Cronobacter, a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, poses a significant risk to neonates. The taxonomic position of strains CFSA2021A14 and CFSA2021A84, isolated from cereal-based infant noodles in China, was investigated. Phenotypic and genotypic analyses identified both strains as novel subspecies of Cronobacter dublinensis, with dulcitol utilization attributed to the presence of the gatYZABCD gene cluster. Based on ANI analysis, the strains are proposed as Cronobacter dublinensis subsp. beijingensis subsp. nov. and Cronobacter dublinensis subsp. infanticibi subsp. nov. The type strain C. dublinensis subsp. beijingensis CFSA2021A14 (= CGMCC 1.61450, = JCM 35886) grew aerobically at 25-41 °C, with negative myo-inositol and amygdalin utilization. Strain CFSA2021A14 genome size was 4.71 Mbp with a G + C content of 57.2%. The type strain C. dublinensis subsp. infanticibi CFSA2021A84 (= CGMCC 1.61451, = JCM 35887) exhibited similar growth conditions to C. dublinensis subsp. beijingensis CFSA2021A14, but showed positive myo-inositol and amygdalin utilization. Strain CFSA2021A84 genome size was 4.73 Mbp with a G + C content of 57.4%.