Macrococcus epidermidis

General Information

Macrococcus epidermidis is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the genus Macrococcus. This genus is closely related to Staphylococcus, but Macrococcus species are generally non-pathogenic and are often found in association with animals, particularly livestock. One of the most interesting aspects of M. epidermidis is its potential role in the skin microbiome of animals, where it may contribute to the overall health and balance of the microbial community. Unique Characteristics: - Macrococcus epidermidis is notable for its high salt tolerance, which allows it to thrive in environments that are inhospitable to many other bacteria. This trait is particularly valuable for studying microbial survival mechanisms in extreme conditions. - The organism has been found to produce antimicrobial peptides that can inhibit the growth of other, potentially harmful bacteria. This makes M. epidermidis a subject of interest for research into natural antimicrobial agents and their applications in medicine and agriculture. - Another intriguing feature of M. epidermidis is its genetic diversity. Studies have shown that this species possesses a wide range of genetic variations, which can provide insights into bacterial evolution and adaptation. Research Value: - The ability of Macrococcus epidermidis to produce antimicrobial compounds positions it as a potential source for new antibiotics, which is crucial in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. - Its role in the skin microbiome of animals offers a model for understanding microbial interactions and the maintenance of healthy microbial communities, which can have implications for both veterinary and human medicine. - The genetic diversity of M. epidermidis makes it an excellent candidate for studies on bacterial genetics and the mechanisms of genetic exchange and adaptation. Overall, Macrococcus epidermidis is a microorganism of significant interest due to its unique characteristics and potential applications in various fields of research.

Macrococcus epidermidis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that is part of the normal flora of human skin and mucous membranes. This organism is particularly interesting due to its role in human health and its potential as a pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. It is known for its ability to form biofilms on medical devices, which can lead to device-related infections. This characteristic makes it a significant focus of research in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases. One of the unique aspects of M. epidermidis is its genetic adaptability, which allows it to thrive in various environments, including those with high antibiotic pressure. This adaptability raises concerns about its antibiotic resistance, making it a valuable model for studying resistance mechanisms and the evolution of pathogenic traits in bacteria. Additionally, M. epidermidis has been explored for its potential probiotic properties. Some studies suggest that it may play a role in maintaining skin health and preventing colonization by more harmful pathogens. This duality as both a commensal organism and a potential pathogen makes Macrococcus epidermidis a fascinating subject for ongoing research, particularly in understanding the balance between host and microbial interactions. In summary, Macrococcus epidermidis stands out due to its ubiquity on human skin, its clinical significance in infections, and its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. Its study not only enhances our understanding of skin microbiota but also informs strategies for managing infections associated with medical devices.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Bacillales

Family: Staphylococcaceae

Genus: Macrococcus

Species: Macrococcus epidermidis

NCBI ID

1902580

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/024/205/965/GCF_024205965.1_ASM2420596v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_024205965.1_ASM2420596v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Macrococcus epidermidis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that is part of the normal flora of human skin and mucous membranes. While it is generally considered a commensal organism, it has significant clinical implications, particularly in immunocompromised patients and those with implanted medical devices. Macrococcus epidermidis is known to be associated with nosocomial infections, especially in patients with indwelling catheters and prosthetic devices, where it can form biofilms that protect it from the host immune response and antibiotic treatment. Pathogenicity is primarily linked to its ability to adhere to surfaces and form biofilms, which complicates treatment and eradication efforts. Infections caused by Macrococcus epidermidis can lead to bacteremia, endocarditis, and wound infections, particularly in patients with compromised immune systems or those undergoing invasive procedures. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, Macrococcus epidermidis has shown increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics, including methicillin, which is a significant concern in clinical settings. The presence of methicillin-resistant strains (MRSE) poses challenges for treatment options and necessitates careful antibiotic stewardship. Despite its pathogenic potential, Macrococcus epidermidis is also being explored for its potential medical applications. Some strains are being investigated for use as probiotics due to their ability to outcompete pathogenic bacteria on the skin and mucosal surfaces. Additionally, understanding its biofilm-forming capabilities may lead to novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or disrupt biofilm-associated infections. Overall, while Macrococcus epidermidis is a common skin inhabitant, its role in infections, antimicrobial resistance, and potential therapeutic applications underscore its clinical relevance in modern medicine.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Macrococcus epidermidis is primarily associated with the human skin microbiome, where it plays a significant role in maintaining skin health and homeostasis. This microorganism thrives in the epidermal layer of the skin, where it forms part of the normal flora. Its presence is crucial for the prevention of colonization by pathogenic bacteria, thus acting as a natural barrier against infections. In addition to its role in the skin, Macrococcus epidermidis can also be found in hospital environments, particularly on medical devices and surfaces, where it can form biofilms. These biofilms are significant because they can lead to nosocomial infections if the organism enters the bloodstream or other sterile sites. The ecological niche of Macrococcus epidermidis is characterized by its ability to adapt to varying conditions, such as changes in moisture and temperature, which are common on the skin surface. It exhibits symbiotic relationships with other skin microorganisms, contributing to a balanced microbial community that is essential for skin health. Overall, Macrococcus epidermidis exemplifies the complex interactions within the human microbiome, highlighting its importance in both health and disease.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Macrococcus epidermidis has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. In biotechnology, Macrococcus epidermidis is known for its role in fermentation, where it can be utilized to produce various metabolites. Its ability to ferment sugars makes it a candidate for the production of organic acids and other valuable compounds. In the realm of waste management, this organism has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of complex organic materials. This property can be harnessed for the treatment of wastewater, where Macrococcus epidermidis can help in the degradation of pollutants, thus contributing to cleaner effluent discharge. Furthermore, in pharmaceutical development, Macrococcus epidermidis is recognized for its potential in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Its natural ability to produce bioactive substances can be explored for the development of new antibiotics or preservatives, which are crucial in the pharmaceutical industry. Overall, the diverse metabolic pathways and enzymatic activities of Macrococcus epidermidis position it as a valuable microorganism in various industrial sectors, particularly in processes involving fermentation, biodegradation, and enzyme production.

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	google/gemini-pro	google/gemma-7b-it	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	openchat/openchat-7b	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/gemini-flash-1.5	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	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	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o
Motility	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 ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	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 negative ✗	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	N/A	facultatively anaerobic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	aerobic	aerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	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	FALSE	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	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 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	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	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	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	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	gamma	gamma	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	N/A	coccus	coccus	bacillus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus

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