Actinomyces gerencseriae: Difference between revisions
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=4. Cell structure= | =4. Cell structure= | ||
The entirety of the Actinomyces genus consists of gram positive bacteria. These gram positive bacilli bacteria possess cell walls consisting of a large external peptidoglycan layer threaded with teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids. This peptidoglycan layer is separated from the cell membrane bilayer by the periplasmic space. The cell membrane bilayer is interspersed with important membrane proteins. <br /> When Actinomyces was initially discovered in the late 1800s as a source of oral infection first in cows (A. Bovis) and then humans (A. Israelii), it was mistakenly identified as a fungal genus. The reason for this was the tendency for Actinomyces species to grow in a filamentous manner, and form hyphaes similar to eukaryotic fungi. Although this has been the typical classification of Actinomyces, several more recently discovered of these species lack the ‘typical’ branching rod appearance. <sup>3</sup> <br /> Actinomyces gerencseriae is a nonmotile, Gram positive bacterial species. The average Actinomyces gerencseriae colony is around 0.2 mm in diameter, circular in shape, are branching filamentous and white in color. Actinomyces gerencseriae have an incubation period of 2 days and is a non-spore forming bacterial species. | |||
=5. 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). | 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). | ||
Revision as of 00:30, 11 December 2017
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Actinobacteria
Class: Actinobacteria
Order: Actinomycetales
Family: Actinomycetaceae
Genus: Actinomyces
Species: Actinomyces gerencseriae
2. Description and significance
Introduction
Actinomyces is a genus of bacteria that consists of a widely varied number of species that can exist both in the soil microbiome as well as within human and animal bodies. The Actinomyces genus mostly consists of Gram-positive bacilli that are facultatively anaerobic or microaerophilic rods. 1 Species from the Actinomyces genus often live primarily within the oral cavities of humans as part of the natural endogenous microbiome, but can become pathogenic when they are able to enter the body through open wounds, such as those stemming from poor dental hygiene. Members of the Actinomyces genus are significant because certain species (primarily A. gerencseriae and A. israelii) are known to cause the disease actinomycosis. Actinomycosis is a chronic and inflammatory granulomatous infection. This infection is referred to as granulomatous due to the granuloma, or inflammation, caused by an accumulation of macrophage immune cells that is a reaction of the host body to the invading pathogen. Actinomycosis can result in abscesses in the mouth, lungs, breast, and gastrointestinal tract in humans. While the incidence of this disease is rare, it can be particularly detrimental if and when it spreads to other tissues.
3. Genome structure
Actinomyces gerencseriae possesses a GC-rich genome, composed of 70% GC pairs.
The strain type of A. gerencseriae is ATCC 23860 = CCUG 32936 = CCUG 34703 = CDC W 838 = CIP 105418 = DSM 6844 = JCM 12963 = VPI 12594. 2
4. Cell structure
The entirety of the Actinomyces genus consists of gram positive bacteria. These gram positive bacilli bacteria possess cell walls consisting of a large external peptidoglycan layer threaded with teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids. This peptidoglycan layer is separated from the cell membrane bilayer by the periplasmic space. The cell membrane bilayer is interspersed with important membrane proteins.
When Actinomyces was initially discovered in the late 1800s as a source of oral infection first in cows (A. Bovis) and then humans (A. Israelii), it was mistakenly identified as a fungal genus. The reason for this was the tendency for Actinomyces species to grow in a filamentous manner, and form hyphaes similar to eukaryotic fungi. Although this has been the typical classification of Actinomyces, several more recently discovered of these species lack the ‘typical’ branching rod appearance. 3
Actinomyces gerencseriae is a nonmotile, Gram positive bacterial species. The average Actinomyces gerencseriae colony is around 0.2 mm in diameter, circular in shape, are branching filamentous and white in color. Actinomyces gerencseriae have an incubation period of 2 days and is a non-spore forming bacterial species.
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.
