Streptococcus salivarius: Difference between revisions

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=2. Description and significance=
=2. Description and significance=
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
S. salivarius is a spherical, Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic commensal bacterium that is both catalase and oxidase negative. As one of the first colonizers of the human oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, and gut after birth, S. salivarius is thought to contribute to immune homeostasis and regulate inflammatory response. Thus, the bacterium is most often harmless but considered an opportunistic pathogen (1).
*Include as many headings as are relevant to your microbe. Consider using the headings below, as they will allow readers to quickly locate specific information of major interest*
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Humans are introduced to S. salivarius within a few hours after birth, inhabiting the mouth and upper respiratory tract, making it one of the first commensal bacteria humans are exposed to (2). Early exposure allows humans to acquire immunity, so S. salivarius is usually considered harmless. However, while immunity is established during infancy, the bacteria are opportunistic pathogens, proving to be detrimental under certain circumstances, such as entrance to the bloodstream (3). Due to its opportunistic nature, S. salivarius has been linked to cases of sepsis in immunocompromised patients with neutropenia, a disease associated with a depleted level of white blood cells in the body (3).
 
=3. Genome structure=
=3. 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?
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Revision as of 20:39, 10 December 2017

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1. Classification

a. Higher order taxa

Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Bacilli
Order: Lactobacillales
Family: Streptococcaceae
Genus: Streptococcus
Species: Streptococcus salivarius

2. Description and significance

S. salivarius is a spherical, Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic commensal bacterium that is both catalase and oxidase negative. As one of the first colonizers of the human oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, and gut after birth, S. salivarius is thought to contribute to immune homeostasis and regulate inflammatory response. Thus, the bacterium is most often harmless but considered an opportunistic pathogen (1).

Humans are introduced to S. salivarius within a few hours after birth, inhabiting the mouth and upper respiratory tract, making it one of the first commensal bacteria humans are exposed to (2). Early exposure allows humans to acquire immunity, so S. salivarius is usually considered harmless. However, while immunity is established during infancy, the bacteria are opportunistic pathogens, proving to be detrimental under certain circumstances, such as entrance to the bloodstream (3). Due to its opportunistic nature, S. salivarius has been linked to cases of sepsis in immunocompromised patients with neutropenia, a disease associated with a depleted level of white blood cells in the body (3).

3. 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?

4. Cell structure

Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”

5. Metabolic processes

Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).

6. Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

7. Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

7. Key microorganisms

Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a microbial process, rather than a specific taxon/group of organisms

8. Current Research

Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose

9. References

It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.