We report 3 cases of koala bite wound infection with Lonepinella koalarum-like bacteria requiring antimicrobial and surgical management. The pathogens could not be identified by standard tests. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes identified the genus. Clinicians should isolate bacteria and determine antimicrobial susceptibilities when managing these infections.
Keywords: 16S rRNA; Australia; Lonepinella; Lonepinella koalarum; Pasteurellaceae; Phascolarctos cinereus; bacteria; colony morphology; housekeeping genes; infB; koala bite; recN; rpoB; saliva; wound infection; zoonoses.