Haemophilus aegyptius: Difference between revisions
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=2. Description and significance= | =2. Description and significance= | ||
Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius is a Gram-negative bacterium with an elongated rod shape (2). H. aegyptius is normally found living in human epithelial cell linings (10), where it exhibits colonization and adherence to epithelial cells with large clusters of elongated chains of cells (2). As a biogroup, H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius has traits that differ from Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), including the severity of virulence and lack of genes that encode for a polysaccharide capsule (3) in H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius. For over a century since its first discovery, H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius had only been known to cause conjunctivitis. However, in 1995, the HaeBPF strain of H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius (3) was identified in patients with Brazilian Purpuric Fever (BPF) (4). BPF has symptoms that are similar to that of meningococcal sepsis, which include an infection that results in high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hemorrhagic skin lesions (5). Researchers have spent over two decades learning about the transformation of H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius from causing mild conjunctivitis to deadly BPF. However, much is still unknown about the organism’s virulence factors (6). Because of this, studies have been focused on understanding the mechanism of pathogenesis and developing preventative measures and treatments for BPF. | |||
=3. Genome structure= | =3. Genome structure= | ||
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? | Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? | ||
Revision as of 00:20, 15 December 2016
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa Bacteria, Proteobacteria, Gamma Proteobacteria, Pasteurellales, Pasteurellacease, Haemophilus (1)
b. Species Haemophilus Influenzae (1)
2. Description and significance
Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius is a Gram-negative bacterium with an elongated rod shape (2). H. aegyptius is normally found living in human epithelial cell linings (10), where it exhibits colonization and adherence to epithelial cells with large clusters of elongated chains of cells (2). As a biogroup, H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius has traits that differ from Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), including the severity of virulence and lack of genes that encode for a polysaccharide capsule (3) in H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius. For over a century since its first discovery, H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius had only been known to cause conjunctivitis. However, in 1995, the HaeBPF strain of H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius (3) was identified in patients with Brazilian Purpuric Fever (BPF) (4). BPF has symptoms that are similar to that of meningococcal sepsis, which include an infection that results in high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hemorrhagic skin lesions (5). Researchers have spent over two decades learning about the transformation of H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius from causing mild conjunctivitis to deadly BPF. However, much is still unknown about the organism’s virulence factors (6). Because of this, studies have been focused on understanding the mechanism of pathogenesis and developing preventative measures and treatments for BPF.
3. Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
4. Cell structure
Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”
5. Metabolic processes
Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).
6. Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
7. Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
7. Key microorganisms
Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a microbial process, rather than a specific taxon/group of organisms
8. Current Research
Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose
9. References
It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.
