Citrobacter freundii

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Citrobacter freundii

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Enterobacteriales; Enterobacteriaceae; Citrobacter

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Citrobacter Freundii

Description and significance

Citrobacter freundii.jpg Photo: Pete Wardell/ CDC

The Citrobacter species, including Citrobacter freundii, are aerobic gram-negative bacilli. Citrobacter freundii is a long rod-shaped bacteria typically 1-5 μm in length. Most have many flagella used to move about, but a few are non-motile. Its habitat includes the enivronment (soil, water, sewage), food, and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. It belongs to the family of Enterobacteriaceae.

As an opportunistic pathogen, C.freundii is often the cause of significant opportunistic infections. It represents approximately 29% of all opportunistic infections. Therefore, one of the main reasons the genome of C. Freundii has been sequenced is in order to find antibiotics that would fight these opportunistic infections.

The Citrobacter genus was discovered in 1932 by Werkman and Gillen. Cultures of C. freundii were isolated and identified in the same year from soil extracts.

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 Sumaira Akbarzada, student of Rachel Larsen