Staphylococcus intermedius
Microbewiki page：
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa
Cellular organisms; Bacteria; Terrabacteria group; Bacillota; Bacilli; Bacillales; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus intermedius group.1
2. Description and significance
Staphylococcus intermedius (S. intermedius) is a Gram-positive, coagulase-positive cocci,2,3 that is found over the skin and mucus of animals like dogs, pigeons, minks, cats, horses, foxes, raccoons, goats, and gray squirrels.4,5 S. intermedius has veterinary importance, as it’s the predominant cause of skin and soft tissue infections in dogs.6-10 Although S. intermedius is pathogenic to animals and rare in humans, it can transfer from animal to human and cause infections.3,5 The number of case reports of serious invasive infections of S. intermedius in humans is rising.11 Additionally, in 1991, there was an outbreak of S. intermedius-related food intoxication of over 265 in western United States.12 However, even with the rise of infections, there is still a lack of useful tools to accurately clinically diagnose S. intermedius.3 Before its description, S. intermedius had been grouped together with Staphylococcus aureus.13 It wasn’t until 1976 when S. intermedius could be separated from S. aureus using its cell wall structure and guanine-cytosine content.3 It also wasn’t until 2005 when researchers, using more advanced molecular technologies, were able to reclassify S. intermedius into the Staphylococcus Intermedius Group (SIG), which include the three bacterial species S. intermedius, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Staphylococcus delphini.3,4,14 There is no distinction between the SIG cell morphology or phenotypes.3,4 Recently, modern molecular sequencing approaches have been developed to differentiate between the SIG species.3,15,16
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.
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.
