Haemophilus ducreyi
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Haemophilus ducreyi
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Pasteurellales; Pasteurellaceae; [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Coccobacillus ducreyi, Bacillus ulceris cancrosi, Haemophilus ducreyi
Description and significance
Haemophilus ducreyi is a gram negative bacillus that causes the sexually transmitted disease, Chancroid. There has been renewed interest in this bacillus because of the close connections between Chancroid and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections. It typically grows on the male genitalia and characteristic of a painful shallow ulcer at the site of infection. It is more common in African, Asian, and Latin American countries and is rarely seem in the US.
Haemophilus Ducreyi was first described in 1889 by Auguste Ducrey The organism was isolated on artificial media a decade later but has remained difficult to isolate consistently. However novel methods of isolating these bacteria have been developed. It can grow well on a chocolate Agar supplemented with 1% Iso VitaleX and 5% sheep blood. Oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide are preferable, and it needs to be grown in blood clot tubes in a humid atmosphere.
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
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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 Anthony Nguyen, student(s) of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.
