Aeromonas veronii and the leech Hirudo
Characteristics of the symbiont/pathogen
Aeromonas veronii is a gram-negative, rod shaped bacteria [1] and has a genome size of about 4551783 base pairs [2]. It belongs to the Kingdom of bacteria, the phylum of proteobacteria, the class gammaproteobacteria, the order Aeromonadales, the family Aeromonadaceae, and the genus Aeromonas [2].
Characteristics of the host
A. veronii typically inhabits the digestive tract of, and shares in a symbiotic relationship with Hirudo (leeches), and A. veronii are most commonly found in the digestive tracts of the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana[3]. This particular leech is widely used to prevent complications after surgery by alleviating potentially harmful blood clots[3]. Aeromonas veronii can be found residing in humans and other vertebrates, and may also inhabit fresh water environments [3].
Host-Symbiont Interaction
What kind of interaction do host and symbiont have? How is the host affected by the relationship? How does the host acquire and transmit the symbiont? Is the interaction obligate or facultative?
Molecular Insights into the Symbiosis
Describe molecular/genetic studies on the symbiosis.
Ecological and Evolutionary Aspects
What is the evolutionary history of the interaction? Do particular environmental factors play a role in regulating the symbiosis?
Recent Discoveries
Describe two findings on the symbiosis published within the last two years.
References
[1] Mencacci, Anotella, Elio Cenci, Rosanna Mazolla, Senia Farinelli, Frencesco D’Alo, Mariolina Vitali, and Francesco Bistoni. 2003. “Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii septicaemia and acute suppurative cholangitis in a patient with hepatitis B.” Journal of Medical Microbiology 52: 727-730.
[2] http://www.genome.jp/kegg-bin/show_organism?org=avr
[3] Laufer, Alison S., Siddall, Mark E. and Graf, Joreg. 2008. “Characterization of the digestive-tract microbiota of Hirudo orientalis, a European medicinal leech. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 74:6151-6154
Edited by [Gabrielle Woodford], students of Grace Lim-Fong
This template is just a general guideline of how to design your site. You are not restricted to this format, so feel free to make changes to the headings and subheadings and to add or remove sections as appropriate.
