Flavobacterium piscis

General Information

Flavobacterium piscis is a bacterium that belongs to the genus Flavobacterium, which is known for its diverse metabolic capabilities and ecological significance. This microorganism is particularly interesting due to its association with aquatic environments, especially fish. It has been isolated from various fish species and is often studied for its role in fish health and disease. One of the unique aspects of F. piscis is its ability to produce a range of extracellular enzymes, including proteases, which are crucial for breaking down proteins. This enzymatic activity is not only important for nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems but also has potential applications in biotechnology, such as in the development of novel biocatalysts. Moreover, Flavobacterium piscis is notable for its flexibility in utilizing different carbon sources, which allows it to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. This adaptability makes it a valuable model organism for studying microbial ecology and the dynamics of microbial communities in aquatic habitats. From a research perspective, F. piscis is also of interest due to its potential role in fish diseases. Understanding its pathogenic mechanisms can lead to better management and treatment strategies in aquaculture, thereby improving fish health and productivity. In summary, Flavobacterium piscis stands out due to its ecological importance, enzymatic capabilities, and relevance to aquaculture. Its study not only enhances our understanding of microbial life in aquatic systems but also offers practical benefits in biotechnology and fish health management.

Flavobacterium piscis is a fascinating bacterium primarily known for its ecological role in aquatic environments. This organism is part of the Flavobacteriaceae family, which is notable for its diverse metabolic capabilities and its ability to degrade complex organic materials. One of the most interesting aspects of F. piscis is its association with fish, where it has been identified as a potential pathogen, particularly in aquaculture settings. This relationship highlights its importance in fish health management and disease control, making it a valuable subject of study for researchers focused on aquatic microbiology and fisheries science. Unique Metabolic Pathways: F. piscis possesses unique enzymatic pathways that allow it to break down various organic compounds, including chitin and other polysaccharides. This capability not only contributes to nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems but also positions F. piscis as a potential candidate for biotechnological applications, such as bioremediation and the development of environmentally friendly processes for waste management. Genomic Insights: Recent genomic studies have revealed that F. piscis has a relatively large genome with a variety of genes associated with the degradation of complex organic materials. This genomic information can provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations of this bacterium to its aquatic environment and its interactions with other microorganisms. Research Implications: The study of F. piscis is particularly relevant in the context of climate change and its impact on aquatic ecosystems. Understanding how this bacterium interacts with its environment and its role in nutrient cycling can help predict changes in ecosystem dynamics as water temperatures rise and habitats shift. Furthermore, its potential pathogenicity in fish makes it a critical organism for research aimed at improving aquaculture practices and ensuring fish health. In summary, Flavobacterium piscis stands out due to its ecological significance, unique metabolic capabilities, and its implications for aquaculture and environmental research, making it a valuable organism for ongoing scientific inquiry.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacteroidota

Class: Flavobacteriia

Order: Flavobacteriales

Family: Flavobacteriaceae

Genus: Flavobacterium

Species: Flavobacterium piscis

NCBI ID

1114874

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/222/045/GCF_002222045.1_ASM222204v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002222045.1_ASM222204v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The bacterium Flavobacterium piscis is primarily known for its association with fish diseases, particularly in aquaculture settings. It has been implicated in infections of various fish species, leading to significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. While its direct impact on human health is limited, the presence of F. piscis in aquatic environments raises concerns regarding zoonotic transmission and the potential for human infections, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems. In terms of pathogenicity, F. piscis can cause hemorrhagic septicemia in fish, characterized by symptoms such as skin lesions, internal bleeding, and high mortality rates. The organism's ability to thrive in aquatic environments and its virulence factors contribute to its role as a pathogen in fish populations. Regarding antimicrobial resistance, there is growing concern about the resistance mechanisms exhibited by F. piscis, particularly in the context of antibiotic use in aquaculture. The overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant strains, complicating treatment options for infections in fish and potentially affecting food safety. While F. piscis does not have established medical applications such as probiotics or vaccines, its study is crucial for understanding pathogen dynamics in aquaculture and developing strategies to mitigate its impact on fish health and, indirectly, on human health through the food supply chain. Overall, the clinical implications of Flavobacterium piscis are primarily linked to its role in fish diseases, with indirect consequences for human health through food safety and antibiotic resistance concerns.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Flavobacterium piscis is a bacterium commonly associated with aquatic environments, particularly in freshwater and marine ecosystems. This microorganism thrives in nutrient-rich waters, often found in the vicinity of decaying organic matter, where it plays a crucial role in the decomposition process. Its presence is particularly noted in lakes, rivers, and estuaries, where it contributes to the cycling of nutrients and the breakdown of organic materials, thus supporting the overall health of the aquatic biome. In these environments, Flavobacterium piscis exhibits symbiotic relationships with various aquatic organisms, including fish. It can be found on the skin and gills of fish, where it may help in maintaining a healthy microbial balance, potentially offering protection against pathogenic bacteria. This interaction highlights its role in the microbiome of aquatic species, contributing to their health and resilience. Moreover, Flavobacterium piscis is adapted to thrive in variable salinity conditions, making it a versatile inhabitant of both freshwater and brackish environments. Its ability to metabolize a wide range of organic compounds allows it to exploit diverse ecological niches, further emphasizing its importance in the food web of aquatic ecosystems. Overall, Flavobacterium piscis is a key player in nutrient cycling and maintaining ecological balance in its habitats.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The bacterium Flavobacterium piscis has shown significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the primary areas of interest is in biotechnology, where Flavobacterium piscis is utilized for its ability to produce specific enzymes that can be harnessed in biocatalysis processes. These enzymes are particularly valuable in the degradation of complex organic compounds, making them useful in waste management and bioremediation efforts, where they help in breaking down pollutants in contaminated environments. In the realm of biofuel production, Flavobacterium piscis has been studied for its capacity to metabolize various substrates, potentially leading to the development of more efficient fermentation processes. This microorganism can contribute to the conversion of biomass into biofuels through fermentation, thereby supporting sustainable energy initiatives. Additionally, there is growing interest in the pharmaceutical development sector, where Flavobacterium piscis may play a role in the production of bioactive compounds. These compounds can be explored for their therapeutic properties, which could lead to the development of new drugs or treatments. Overall, the versatility of Flavobacterium piscis in these industrial applications highlights its importance in advancing technologies related to environmental sustainability, energy production, and healthcare.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 8

LLM predicted phenotypes: 5

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemini-flash-1.5	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-pro	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	facultatively anaerobic ✗	aerotolerant ✗	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	N/A	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false
Host association	N/A	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	N/A	N/A	beta	beta	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	alpha	alpha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗

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