Staphylococcus haemolyticus: Difference between revisions
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==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
''Staphylococus haemolyticus'' is a coagulase-negative member of the genus ''Staphylococcus''. The bacteria can be found on normal human skin flora and can be isolated from axillae, perineum, and ingunial areas of humans. ''S.haemolyticus'' is also the second most common coagulase-negative staphylocci presenting in human blood. | |||
Coagulase-negative staphylococci are usually considered low-virulent pathogens comparing to the well-known pathogenic coagulase-positive ''Staphylococcus aureus''. However, recent studies suggest that coagulase-negative staphylococci have emerged as a major cause of infection. ''Staphylococcus haemolyticus'' itself is also a remarkable opportunistic baterial pathogen that is well-known for its highly antibiotic-resistant phenotype. The bacteria can cause meningitis, skin or soft tissue infections, prosthetic join infections, or bacteremia. The ability of the bacteria to simultaneously resist against multiple types of antibiotic has been observed and studied for a long time. Common antibiotics that are subject to resistance in ''S haemolyticus'' include methicillin, gentamycin, erythormycin, and uniquely among staphylococci, glycopeptide antibiotics. The resistance genes for each type of anitbiotic can be located on the chromosome (methicillin), on the plasmids (erythromycin) or on both chromosome and plasmids (gentamycin). | |||
In order to study the multi-drug resistant ability of ''Staphylococcus haemolyticus'' and its pathogenic characters, researchers have sequenced the whole genome of one strain, JCSC1435. Beside the bacteria’s antibiotic resistance genes, the study of the sequence also revealed a surprising number of homologous insertion sequences which might be responsible for the frequent genomic arrangement observed in this organism. | |||
==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Revision as of 02:05, 22 April 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Staphylococcus haemolyticus
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Bacilli; Bacillales; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcus
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
Description and significance
Staphylococus haemolyticus is a coagulase-negative member of the genus Staphylococcus. The bacteria can be found on normal human skin flora and can be isolated from axillae, perineum, and ingunial areas of humans. S.haemolyticus is also the second most common coagulase-negative staphylocci presenting in human blood. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are usually considered low-virulent pathogens comparing to the well-known pathogenic coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus. However, recent studies suggest that coagulase-negative staphylococci have emerged as a major cause of infection. Staphylococcus haemolyticus itself is also a remarkable opportunistic baterial pathogen that is well-known for its highly antibiotic-resistant phenotype. The bacteria can cause meningitis, skin or soft tissue infections, prosthetic join infections, or bacteremia. The ability of the bacteria to simultaneously resist against multiple types of antibiotic has been observed and studied for a long time. Common antibiotics that are subject to resistance in S haemolyticus include methicillin, gentamycin, erythormycin, and uniquely among staphylococci, glycopeptide antibiotics. The resistance genes for each type of anitbiotic can be located on the chromosome (methicillin), on the plasmids (erythromycin) or on both chromosome and plasmids (gentamycin). In order to study the multi-drug resistant ability of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and its pathogenic characters, researchers have sequenced the whole genome of one strain, JCSC1435. Beside the bacteria’s antibiotic resistance genes, the study of the sequence also revealed a surprising number of homologous insertion sequences which might be responsible for the frequent genomic arrangement observed in this organism.
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? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen
