Staphylococcus schweitzeri

General Information

Staphylococcus schweitzeri is a relatively recent addition to the genus Staphylococcus, having been described in 2015. This bacterium is particularly interesting due to its close genetic relationship to Staphylococcus aureus, a well-known pathogen. However, S. schweitzeri is primarily found in non-human primates in Africa, which makes it a valuable subject for studying zoonotic potential and the evolutionary pathways of staphylococcal species. One of the most intriguing aspects of S. schweitzeri is its genomic diversity. Comparative genomic studies have shown that it possesses unique genetic elements that are not found in S. aureus, which could provide insights into the mechanisms of host adaptation and virulence. This makes S. schweitzeri a key organism for understanding how staphylococcal species evolve and adapt to different hosts. Additionally, S. schweitzeri has been found to carry antibiotic resistance genes, although it is not typically associated with human infections. This raises important questions about the role of wildlife in the reservoir and transmission of antibiotic resistance, making it a critical organism for research in the field of antimicrobial resistance. In summary, Staphylococcus schweitzeri is a fascinating bacterium due to its close relationship with S. aureus, its unique genetic features, and its potential role in the ecology of antibiotic resistance. These characteristics make it a valuable model for studying bacterial evolution, host adaptation, and the dynamics of antibiotic resistance in natural environments.

Staphylococcus schweitzeri is a fascinating species of bacteria that belongs to the genus Staphylococcus. This organism was first isolated from the skin of a healthy human and has since garnered interest due to its unique biochemical properties and potential implications in both health and disease. One of the most notable characteristics of S. schweitzeri is its ability to produce a variety of enzymes, including lipases and proteases, which can play a role in its pathogenicity and survival in diverse environments. Ecological Significance: S. schweitzeri is part of the normal skin flora, contributing to the complex microbial ecosystem that protects against pathogenic organisms. Its presence in the skin microbiome highlights the importance of microbial diversity in maintaining skin health and preventing infections. Research Potential: The study of S. schweitzeri offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of bacterial resistance and adaptation. Understanding its genetic makeup and metabolic pathways can provide clues about how certain strains may evade the immune system or develop resistance to antibiotics. This makes it a significant subject for research in microbiology and infectious diseases. Clinical Relevance: While S. schweitzeri is generally considered non-pathogenic, its close relation to more virulent staphylococci, such as Staphylococcus aureus, raises questions about its potential role in opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. This aspect makes it a critical organism for studying the transition from commensalism to pathogenicity. In summary, Staphylococcus schweitzeri stands out due to its unique enzymatic capabilities, ecological role in human skin, and its potential implications in health and disease, making it a valuable organism for ongoing research in microbiology.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Bacillales

Family: Staphylococcaceae

Genus: Staphylococcus

Species: Staphylococcus schweitzeri

NCBI ID

1654388

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/636/685/GCA_900636685.1_43874_A01

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900636685.1_43874_A01_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Staphylococcus schweitzeri is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that has been identified in various clinical settings, particularly in association with infections in immunocompromised patients. While it is not as well-known as its more pathogenic relatives, such as Staphylococcus aureus, it has been implicated in nosocomial infections and can be a source of bacteremia and endocarditis in vulnerable populations. Clinical relevance arises from its potential to form biofilms on medical devices, which complicates treatment and increases the risk of persistent infections. In terms of pathogenicity, S. schweitzeri exhibits some degree of virulence factors, although these are less characterized compared to other staphylococci. Its ability to evade the immune response may be linked to its biofilm formation and the production of certain surface proteins that inhibit phagocytosis. Moreover, there are growing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance among coagulase-negative staphylococci, including S. schweitzeri. Reports of resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics highlight the need for careful monitoring and susceptibility testing in clinical isolates. This resistance complicates treatment options and underscores the importance of infection control measures in healthcare settings. While S. schweitzeri is not commonly used in medical applications, understanding its role in human health and disease is crucial, especially as it may serve as a model for studying the behavior of other staphylococcal species in clinical contexts. Continued research is necessary to fully elucidate its clinical implications and potential therapeutic targets.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Staphylococcus schweitzeri is a species of bacteria that is primarily associated with human skin and mucosal surfaces. This microorganism thrives in environments that are rich in nutrients and moisture, making it well-suited for colonization on the human body, particularly in areas such as the axilla, groin, and interdigital spaces of the feet. Its presence is often linked to the microbiome of healthy individuals, where it plays a role in maintaining skin health by competing with pathogenic organisms and contributing to the overall microbial diversity of the skin. In terms of ecological interactions, Staphylococcus schweitzeri exhibits commensal relationships with its human host, meaning it can coexist without causing harm. However, under certain conditions, such as when the skin barrier is compromised, it may become opportunistic and lead to infections. This duality highlights its role in the ecosystem as both a protector and a potential pathogen. Additionally, this bacterium is known to adapt to various environmental stresses, such as changes in temperature and salinity, which allows it to survive in diverse microhabitats on the skin. Its ability to form biofilms can also enhance its resilience against antimicrobial agents, further solidifying its presence in the skin microbiome. Overall, Staphylococcus schweitzeri is an important component of the human microbiome, contributing to skin health while also demonstrating the potential for pathogenicity under specific conditions.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Staphylococcus schweitzeri 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 chemical compounds. For instance, the enzymatic activity of Staphylococcus schweitzeri can be utilized in the production of bioactive compounds that have therapeutic properties, making it a candidate for drug development. In the realm of waste management, Staphylococcus schweitzeri has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, where it can break down complex organic materials, thus contributing to the treatment of wastewater and the reduction of environmental pollutants. This process is essential for maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainability in industrial practices. Moreover, there is potential for Staphylococcus schweitzeri in biofuel production. Its metabolic pathways may be exploited to convert biomass into biofuels through fermentation, which can lead to the generation of renewable energy sources. This application aligns with the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions and the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels. Overall, Staphylococcus schweitzeri presents a multifaceted opportunity for innovation across various industries, particularly in enhancing biotechnological processes, improving waste treatment methods, and contributing to the development of sustainable energy solutions.

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: 10

LLM predicted phenotypes: 3

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/gemini-pro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	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 ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	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 ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	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 ✓	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 ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	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 ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	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	false	false	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	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 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 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 ✗
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	false	false	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 ✓	false ✗	false ✗	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 ✓	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 ✓
Hemolysis	beta	beta ✓	N/A	N/A	gamma ✗	gamma ✗	N/A	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	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	bacillus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus

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