Staphylococcus schleiferi

General Information

Staphylococcus schleiferi is a coagulase-variable species of the genus Staphylococcus, which is notable for its clinical relevance in both human and veterinary medicine. One of the most interesting aspects of S. schleiferi is its ability to cause a wide range of infections, from superficial skin infections to more severe conditions such as endocarditis and osteomyelitis. This versatility in pathogenicity makes it a subject of significant interest in medical research. In veterinary contexts, S. schleiferi is particularly important as it is frequently isolated from dogs, where it can cause otitis externa and pyoderma. The zoonotic potential of this organism, meaning its ability to be transmitted between animals and humans, adds another layer of complexity and importance to its study. Antibiotic resistance is a major concern with S. schleiferi. This species has shown resistance to multiple antibiotics, including methicillin, which complicates treatment options and necessitates ongoing research into effective therapeutic strategies. The presence of mecA gene in some strains, which confers methicillin resistance, is a critical area of study for understanding and combating antibiotic resistance. From a microbiological perspective, S. schleiferi is also interesting due to its genetic diversity and the presence of various virulence factors. These factors include enzymes and toxins that contribute to its ability to invade host tissues and evade the immune system. The study of these virulence factors can provide insights into the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and help in the development of new treatments and preventive measures. In summary, Staphylococcus schleiferi is a microorganism of significant interest due to its clinical relevance, zoonotic potential, antibiotic resistance, and diverse virulence factors. These characteristics make it a valuable subject for ongoing research in both human and veterinary medicine.*

Staphylococcus schleiferi is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that is particularly notable for its role in both human and veterinary medicine. This organism is often associated with skin and soft tissue infections, making it a significant pathogen in clinical settings. One of the most interesting aspects of S. schleiferi is its ability to adapt to various environments, which allows it to thrive in both human hosts and animal reservoirs, particularly in dogs and cats. This adaptability underscores its potential as a zoonotic pathogen, raising concerns for cross-species transmission. Another unique characteristic of S. schleiferi is its genetic diversity, which can lead to variations in virulence factors among different strains. Some strains are known to produce enterotoxins, contributing to food poisoning incidents, while others may exhibit resistance to multiple antibiotics, complicating treatment options. The presence of methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) within this species highlights the importance of ongoing research into antibiotic resistance mechanisms. From a research perspective, S. schleiferi serves as a valuable model for studying staphylococcal pathogenesis and the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Its relatively simple growth requirements and the availability of genetic tools make it an attractive candidate for laboratory studies aimed at understanding the molecular basis of its virulence and resistance traits. Investigating this organism can provide insights into broader trends in staphylococcal infections and inform strategies for managing and preventing these infections in both human and veterinary contexts.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Bacillales

Family: Staphylococcaceae

Genus: Staphylococcus

Species: Staphylococcus schleiferi

NCBI ID

1295

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/458/895/GCA_900458895.2_GCA_900458895

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900458895.2_GCA_900458895_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Staphylococcus schleiferi is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that has been associated with various clinical implications, particularly in veterinary medicine and human health. It is known to be a part of the normal flora of the skin and mucous membranes but can act as an opportunistic pathogen, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Infections caused by S. schleiferi can include skin infections, wound infections, and endocarditis. The organism has been implicated in infections in both humans and animals, particularly in cases where there is a breach in the skin barrier or underlying health issues. One of the significant concerns regarding S. schleiferi is its potential for antimicrobial resistance. Strains of this organism have shown resistance to multiple antibiotics, including methicillin, which complicates treatment options. This resistance is often attributed to the acquisition of resistance genes and the ability to form biofilms, which protect the bacteria from both the host immune response and antibiotic treatment. In terms of immune evasion, S. schleiferi can produce various virulence factors, such as exoproteins and adhesins, which facilitate its adherence to host tissues and contribute to its pathogenicity. The organism's ability to evade the immune response is a critical factor in its role as a pathogen, allowing it to persist in the host and cause chronic infections. While S. schleiferi is primarily recognized for its pathogenic potential, it is also studied for its role in the microbiome and its potential applications in probiotics. However, its clinical relevance is predominantly associated with its pathogenicity and the challenges it poses in terms of treatment and management of infections.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Staphylococcus schleiferi is a bacterium commonly associated with various habitats and environments that reflect its adaptability and ecological roles. This microorganism is primarily found in the skin and mucosal surfaces of mammals, particularly in domestic animals such as dogs and cats, where it can be part of the normal microbiota. Its presence in these areas indicates its role in maintaining the balance of microbial communities on the host's body. In addition to its commensal lifestyle, Staphylococcus schleiferi can thrive in moist environments and is often isolated from wounds, ear infections, and urinary tract infections in animals. This highlights its potential as an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in cases where the host's immune system is compromised or when there is a disruption in the normal flora. The bacterium exhibits notable interactions with its surroundings, including the ability to form biofilms on various surfaces, which enhances its survival and persistence in both natural and clinical settings. This biofilm formation is crucial for its role in chronic infections, as it protects the bacteria from the host's immune response and antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, Staphylococcus schleiferi is known for its antibiotic resistance mechanisms, which can complicate treatment options and impact the dynamics of microbial communities in its habitats. Its adaptability to different environments, including hospital settings where it can be a source of nosocomial infections, underscores its significance in both ecological and clinical contexts. Overall, Staphylococcus schleiferi exemplifies the complex interplay between microorganisms and their environments, showcasing its roles as both a commensal organism and a potential pathogen in various biomes.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Staphylococcus schleiferi has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its ability to produce certain enzymes that can be harnessed in biocatalysis, which is crucial for the synthesis of various organic compounds. For instance, the enzymatic activity of Staphylococcus schleiferi can be utilized in the production of bioactive molecules, which are essential in the development of new pharmaceuticals. In the realm of waste management, Staphylococcus schleiferi has been studied for its role in biodegradation processes. It can contribute to the breakdown of complex organic materials, making it a candidate for use in bioremediation strategies aimed at cleaning up contaminated environments. This capability is particularly valuable in treating wastewater, where the organism can help in the degradation of pollutants. Moreover, there is ongoing research into the use of Staphylococcus schleiferi in biofuel production. Its metabolic pathways may be exploited to convert waste materials into biofuels through fermentation processes, thus contributing to sustainable energy solutions. The efficiency of this microorganism in fermentative pathways could lead to advancements in the production of bioethanol or biogas from organic waste. Overall, while Staphylococcus schleiferi is primarily recognized for its pathogenic potential, its industrial applications in biotechnology, waste management, and biofuel production highlight its versatility and importance in various sectors.

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: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

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

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