Enterococcus hirae

General Information

Enterococcus hirae is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the genus Enterococcus. This species is particularly interesting due to its role in both health and disease. One of the most notable characteristics of E. hirae is its ability to survive in extreme conditions, such as high salt concentrations and a wide range of temperatures, which makes it a valuable model organism for studying stress responses and adaptation mechanisms in bacteria. In the context of research, E. hirae has been extensively studied for its role in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, where it contributes to the complex microbiota that aids in digestion and nutrient absorption. This makes it a key organism for understanding the symbiotic relationships between host and microbiota. Moreover, E. hirae is known for its antibiotic resistance properties, which are of significant interest in the study of antimicrobial resistance. The mechanisms by which E. hirae acquires and disseminates resistance genes are crucial for developing strategies to combat resistant infections. Another unique aspect of E. hirae is its potential use in biotechnology. Its robust nature and ability to produce certain enzymes make it a candidate for various industrial applications, including the production of bioactive compounds and bioremediation processes. Overall, Enterococcus hirae is a microorganism of great interest due to its resilience, role in the gut microbiome, implications in antibiotic resistance, and potential biotechnological applications. These characteristics make it a valuable subject for ongoing and future research endeavors.

Enterococcus hirae is a species of lactic acid bacteria that is part of the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract in humans and other animals. This organism is particularly interesting due to its resilience and ability to survive in harsh environments, including high salinity and extreme pH levels. Its versatile metabolic capabilities allow it to utilize a wide range of carbohydrates, making it a valuable model for studying fermentation processes and microbial ecology. One of the unique aspects of E. hirae is its role in the production of bacteriocins, which are antimicrobial peptides that can inhibit the growth of other bacteria. This characteristic has garnered attention for potential applications in food preservation and as a natural alternative to antibiotics in combating pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, E. hirae has been studied for its potential in probiotic applications. Research indicates that it may contribute to gut health and has been explored for its ability to modulate the immune response. Its presence in the gut microbiome is associated with various health benefits, making it a subject of interest in the fields of nutrition and microbiome research. Furthermore, Enterococcus species, including E. hirae, are known for their intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics, which poses challenges in clinical settings. This resistance has made E. hirae a focus of studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and the implications for public health. In summary, Enterococcus hirae stands out due to its metabolic versatility, potential probiotic benefits, production of bacteriocins, and significance in antibiotic resistance research, making it a valuable organism in both basic and applied microbiological studies.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Enterococcaceae

Genus: Enterococcus

Species: Enterococcus hirae

NCBI ID

1354

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/278/015/GCF_002278015.2_ASM227801v2

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002278015.2_ASM227801v2_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Enterococcus hirae is a Gram-positive bacterium that is part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract. However, it has been associated with various clinical implications, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Infections caused by E. hirae can include urinary tract infections, endocarditis, and wound infections. Its pathogenicity is often linked to its ability to form biofilms and its inherent resistance to many antibiotics, which poses a significant challenge in clinical settings. Notably, E. hirae exhibits antimicrobial resistance, particularly to glycopeptides, which complicates treatment options. This resistance is often attributed to the acquisition of resistance genes and its ability to survive in hostile environments, such as those created by antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, E. hirae has been implicated in outbreaks in healthcare settings, particularly among patients with prolonged hospital stays or those undergoing invasive procedures. Despite its pathogenic potential, some strains of E. hirae are being explored for their potential use as probiotics, given their presence in the gut microbiota and possible benefits in gut health. Overall, while E. hirae is a normal inhabitant of the human microbiome, its role in disease and antimicrobial resistance underscores the need for careful monitoring and management in clinical practice.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Enterococcus hirae is a species of bacteria commonly found in various habitats associated with the gastrointestinal tracts of mammals, particularly in the intestines of humans and other animals. This organism thrives in mesophilic environments, where temperatures range from 20°C to 45°C, making it well-suited for the warm conditions of the gut. Its presence is often indicative of a healthy microbiome, playing a crucial role in the digestion of food and the synthesis of certain vitamins, such as vitamin K and some B vitamins. In addition to its role in the gut, Enterococcus hirae can also be found in soil and water environments, where it contributes to the breakdown of organic matter. This bacterium is known for its ability to survive in harsh conditions, including high salinity and varying pH levels, which allows it to inhabit diverse ecological niches. Notably, Enterococcus hirae engages in symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms in the gut, helping to maintain a balanced microbial community. It can also exhibit competitive interactions with pathogenic bacteria, thereby playing a protective role in the host's health. Furthermore, its resilience to antibiotics has raised concerns regarding its potential to contribute to antibiotic resistance, highlighting its importance in both ecological and clinical contexts. Overall, Enterococcus hirae is a versatile organism that exemplifies the complex interactions within microbial ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and the overall health of its environments.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Enterococcus hirae has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. In biotechnology, Enterococcus hirae is known for its ability to perform fermentation, which can be harnessed for the production of various metabolites, including lactic acid. This process is crucial in the food industry for the production of fermented products such as yogurt and cheese. In the realm of waste management, Enterococcus hirae has been studied for its role in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of organic waste materials. Its ability to thrive in diverse environments makes it a candidate for use in bioremediation processes, where it can help in the detoxification of contaminated sites. Furthermore, in pharmaceutical development, Enterococcus hirae has been explored for its potential in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Its natural resistance to certain antibiotics can be leveraged to develop new therapeutic agents or to study resistance mechanisms. Overall, the versatility of Enterococcus hirae in these applications highlights its significance in advancing industrial processes and addressing environmental challenges.

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

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