Anaplasma phagocytophilum: Difference between revisions

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==Description and significance==
==Description and significance==
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequencedDescribe how and where it was isolated.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an intracellular obligate pathogen.  It is widely distributed and can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes the disease Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis(HGE) and is most often spread through tick bites and is thus widely studiedThe bacterium infects and colonizes neutrophils in host organisms, often leading to immunodeficiency diseases(1).
Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
The Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis pathogen was first described in 1994 in patients in Wisconsin and Minnesota(14).  Ticks collected from the area of infection were also discovered to be carriers of the HGE pathogen(14). The infectious agent, first classified as Ehrlichia phagocytophila has recently been reclassified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum(14).


==Genome structure==
==Genome structure==

Revision as of 06:12, 5 June 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; proteabacteria; alphaproteobacteria; rickettsiales; anaplasmataceae; Anaplasma; phagocytophium group (2)

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Anaplasma marginale; Anaplasma platys(2)

Description and significance

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an intracellular obligate pathogen. It is widely distributed and can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes the disease Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis(HGE) and is most often spread through tick bites and is thus widely studied. The bacterium infects and colonizes neutrophils in host organisms, often leading to immunodeficiency diseases(1). The Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis pathogen was first described in 1994 in patients in Wisconsin and Minnesota(14). Ticks collected from the area of infection were also discovered to be carriers of the HGE pathogen(14). The infectious agent, first classified as Ehrlichia phagocytophila has recently been reclassified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum(14).

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

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano