Mycobacterium intracellulare

General Information

Mycobacterium intracellulare is a notable species within the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), which is a group of genetically similar bacteria. This organism is particularly interesting due to its clinical significance in causing pulmonary diseases, especially in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. It is also a common cause of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in patients with underlying lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. One of the unique aspects of M. intracellulare is its ability to survive and replicate within macrophages, the very cells that are supposed to destroy pathogens. This intracellular lifestyle makes it a challenging pathogen to treat, as it can evade the host's immune system and resist many conventional antibiotics. The bacterium's cell wall contains complex lipids and glycolipids, which contribute to its resistance to desiccation and disinfectants, further complicating infection control. From a research perspective, M. intracellulare is valuable for studying host-pathogen interactions and the mechanisms of intracellular survival. It serves as a model organism for understanding the broader category of mycobacterial diseases, including tuberculosis. Additionally, the genetic and phenotypic diversity within the M. avium complex provides a rich area for studying bacterial evolution and adaptation. In summary, Mycobacterium intracellulare is a significant pathogen with unique survival strategies that make it a focal point for research into infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and host immune responses.

Mycobacterium intracellulare is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) that is part of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). This organism is particularly interesting due to its role in human disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. It is known to cause pulmonary infections and disseminated disease, which can be challenging to diagnose and treat due to its slow growth and resistance to many common antibiotics. One of the unique characteristics of M. intracellulare is its ability to survive and replicate within macrophages, which is a key factor in its pathogenicity. This intracellular lifestyle not only complicates treatment but also makes it a valuable model organism for studying host-pathogen interactions and the immune response. Furthermore, M. intracellulare has garnered attention in research for its genetic diversity and adaptability, which can provide insights into the evolution of mycobacteria and their mechanisms of resistance. The organism's genome has been sequenced, revealing various genetic elements that contribute to its virulence and survival strategies in hostile environments. In addition to its medical significance, M. intracellulare is also of interest in environmental microbiology, as it can be found in water sources and soil, raising questions about its ecological role and potential transmission routes to humans. Understanding the environmental reservoirs of this organism is crucial for public health, especially in areas where it is endemic. Overall, Mycobacterium intracellulare serves as a critical subject for ongoing research in microbiology, infectious diseases, and environmental science, highlighting the complex interplay between pathogens and their hosts.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Mycobacteriales

Family: Mycobacteriaceae

Genus: Mycobacterium

Species: Mycobacterium intracellulare

NCBI ID

1767

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/020/736/005/GCA_020736005.1_ASM2073600v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_020736005.1_ASM2073600v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Mycobacterium intracellulare is a member of the non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) group and is primarily associated with pulmonary infections in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with underlying lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis. It is known to cause disseminated disease in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS, where it can lead to severe complications. The clinical presentation often resembles that of tuberculosis, making diagnosis challenging and necessitating specific microbiological testing for accurate identification. In terms of pathogenicity, M. intracellulare is adept at evading the immune response through various mechanisms, including the ability to survive and replicate within macrophages. This intracellular lifestyle allows it to avoid detection and destruction by the host's immune system, contributing to its virulence. The organism is also notable for its antimicrobial resistance. Treatment of infections caused by M. intracellulare typically involves a combination of antibiotics, but resistance to common antimycobacterial agents can complicate therapy. The emergence of resistant strains underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and research into effective treatment regimens. In addition to its role in disease, M. intracellulare has been studied for potential medical applications. Some strains are being investigated for their use in probiotics and as potential therapeutic agents due to their immunomodulatory properties. However, these applications are still in the experimental stages and require further validation. Overall, Mycobacterium intracellulare represents a significant clinical concern, particularly in vulnerable populations, and highlights the importance of understanding its biology and interactions with the human host.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Mycobacterium intracellulare is primarily associated with human-associated environments and is often found in soil and water systems, particularly in areas with high organic matter. This microorganism is a member of the Mycobacterium genus, which is known for its ability to survive in various ecological niches due to its robust cell wall structure, allowing it to withstand harsh environmental conditions. In urban settings, M. intracellulare is frequently isolated from tap water and aerosolized water droplets, making it a significant concern for public health, especially for immunocompromised individuals. Its presence in these environments highlights its role in the water cycle and its potential for airborne transmission. Furthermore, M. intracellulare is known to engage in symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms, contributing to the microbial community dynamics in its habitats. It can also exhibit environmental adaptation by utilizing various carbon sources, which allows it to thrive in nutrient-variable environments. Overall, Mycobacterium intracellulare plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by participating in nutrient cycling and influencing the health of its surrounding microbial communities, while also posing risks to human health in specific contexts.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Mycobacterium intracellulare has several notable industrial applications primarily in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This organism is part of the Mycobacterium genus, which is known for its complex lipid-rich cell wall, making it a subject of interest in various biotechnological processes. In pharmaceutical development, Mycobacterium intracellulare is studied for its potential role in the production of antibiotics and immunomodulatory agents. Its unique metabolic pathways can be harnessed to develop new drugs that target resistant strains of bacteria, particularly in the treatment of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. Additionally, Mycobacterium intracellulare has been investigated for its ability to participate in biodegradation processes. This capability allows it to break down complex organic compounds, which can be beneficial in waste management applications. The organism can be utilized in the treatment of contaminated environments, particularly in the degradation of pollutants and the remediation of hazardous waste sites. Furthermore, there is ongoing research into the use of Mycobacterium intracellulare in the production of biofuels. Its metabolic processes may be adapted to convert biomass into usable energy forms, contributing to sustainable energy solutions. The organism's ability to ferment various substrates can be explored in the context of fermentation processes aimed at producing bioethanol or other biofuels. Overall, Mycobacterium intracellulare presents a range of potential applications across multiple industries, particularly in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, making it a valuable organism for further research and industrial exploitation.

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: 3

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

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