Campylobacter fetus
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Campylobacter fetus
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Epsilon Proteobacteria; Campylobacterales; Campylobacteraceae; Campylobacter
Species
C. fetus
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
Bacillus licheniformis is a bacterium that is commonly found in soil and bird feathers. Birds that tend to stay on the ground more than the air (i.e. sparrows) and on the water (i.e. ducks) are common carriers of this bacterium; it is mostly found around the bird's chest area and back plumage.
Bacillus licheniformis is part of the subtilis group along with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus. These bacteria are commonly known to cause food poisoning and food spoilage. Bacillus licheniformis also is known for contaminating dairy products. Food borne outbreaks usually involve cases of cooked meats and vegetables, raw milk, and industrially produced baby food contaminated with Bacillus licheniformis.
Genome structure
Campylobacter fetus is a spiral slender, spirally curved bacterial pathogen, enclosed with an S layer of special crystalline surface proteins. (Their unique function will be discussed later) . It is a gram negative species holding two membranes and a thin cell wall in between. Since it is a pathogen, it can reside anywhere in the human body. The campylobacter S layer proteins were found to have a virulence factor in resistance to the host immune defense mechanisms. Two subspecies were then suspected to exist in the campylobacter. One was Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and Campylobacter fetus subsp. Venerealis. To further investigate the genetic diversity among C. fetus strains of different origins, multiple genetic analyzing were used such as polymorphic DNA (RAPD), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and DNA-DNA hybridization. I t was also mainly found that its natural habitat of C. fetus subsp. fetus is the intestinal tract of cattle, but it can also cause abortions.
Cell structure and metabolism
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Ecology
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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
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References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
