Enterobacter aerogenes: Difference between revisions

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[Sample reference] [http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489 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.]
[Sample reference] [http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489 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 Tiffany M. Liu, student of [mailto:ralarsen@ucsd.edu Rachel Larsen]
This page was created by Tiffany M. Liu, a student of Professor [mailto:ralarsen@ucsd.edu Rachel Larsen] at the University of California, San Diego.

Revision as of 18:07, 28 August 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Enterobacter aerogenes

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Enterobacteriales; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacter

Species

Enterobacter aerogenes

Description and significance

The family Enterobacteriaceae includes genera of Escherichia, Shigella, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Serratia, Proteus, and others. The family consists of large, gram-negative rods (motile with peritrichous flagella or nonmotile) which are non spore forming; grow both aerobically and anaerobically; are active biochemically; ferment (versus oxidize) D-glucose as well as other sugars, often with gas production; reduce nitrate to nitrite, contain the enterobacterial common antigen, and have a 39-59% guanine-plus-cytosine (G + C) content of DNA (_). The genus Enterobacter, is more specifically, a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen and is sought out to be one of many key causes for extraintestinal infections. Common infections are urinary tract infections, specifically cystitis, respiratory, wound, bloodstream and central nervous system infections. Such infections are typically a result of inadvertent transfer of bacteria during surgery or prolonged treatment in hospitals in patients who use venous or urethral catheters.

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

Enterobacter are found in the soil, in water, in dairy products, and in the intestines of animals as well as humans. They are most frequently found in the gastrointestinal tract and are studied in clinical sites in stool samples (usually in the form of diarrhea).

Pathology

Enterobacter aerogenes causes disease in humans through inadvertent bacteria transfer in hospital settings. A portion of enteric bacteria like E. aerogenes are opportunistic and only infect those who already have supressed host immunities. Infants, the elderly, and those who are in the terminal stages of other disease or are immunosuppressed are prime candidates for such infections (_). Additionally, E. aerogenes as well as other enteric bacteria, is known to have drug-resistant characteristics. Research has shown that E. aerogenes is resistant to ampicillin and it has been more recently discovered that it is resistant to imipenem (_,_).

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.

This page was created by Tiffany M. Liu, a student of Professor Rachel Larsen at the University of California, San Diego.