Neisseria subflava

General Information

Neisseria subflava is a fascinating microorganism within the genus Neisseria. This species is particularly interesting due to its ability to inhabit both the human nasopharynx and oropharynx without typically causing disease, making it a commensal organism. Unlike its pathogenic relatives, such as Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. subflava is generally non-pathogenic, which provides a unique perspective for studying host-microbe interactions in a non-disease context. One of the most intriguing aspects of N. subflava is its genetic diversity. This diversity allows researchers to explore the genetic basis of pathogenicity and commensalism within the Neisseria genus. By comparing the genomes of N. subflava with its pathogenic relatives, scientists can identify genetic factors that contribute to virulence and host adaptation. Additionally, N. subflava has been studied for its role in the human microbiome. Its presence in the upper respiratory tract can influence the microbial community dynamics and potentially impact the colonization resistance against more harmful pathogens. This makes N. subflava a valuable model for understanding microbial ecology and the maintenance of a healthy microbiome. From a research perspective, Neisseria subflava serves as an important reference point for studying the evolution of virulence within the Neisseria genus. Its non-pathogenic nature provides a baseline for identifying the genetic and molecular changes that lead to the emergence of pathogenic traits in closely related species. This knowledge is crucial for developing strategies to prevent and treat infections caused by pathogenic Neisseria species.

Neisseria subflava is a fascinating member of the genus Neisseria, which is primarily known for its pathogenic species, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis. However, N. subflava stands out due to its non-pathogenic nature and its role as a commensal organism in the human microbiota. This organism is typically found in the oropharyngeal region and is considered part of the normal flora, contributing to the maintenance of a balanced microbial ecosystem in the throat and mouth. One of the most interesting aspects of N. subflava is its metabolic versatility. It can utilize a variety of carbohydrates, which allows it to thrive in diverse environments. This adaptability makes it a valuable model for studying metabolic pathways and microbial interactions within the human microbiome. Additionally, N. subflava has been noted for its potential role in oral health. Research suggests that it may help inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, thereby contributing to the prevention of oral diseases. This characteristic opens avenues for exploring its use in probiotic formulations or as a natural antimicrobial agent. From a research perspective, N. subflava serves as an important organism for understanding the dynamics of microbial communities, particularly in relation to its interactions with other species in the oral cavity. Its genetic and biochemical properties are of interest for studies focused on microbial ecology and the development of novel therapeutic strategies against oral pathogens. In summary, Neisseria subflava is a unique and valuable organism that not only enriches our understanding of the human microbiome but also holds potential for applications in health and disease prevention.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Betaproteobacteria

Order: Neisseriales

Family: Neisseriaceae

Genus: Neisseria

Species: Neisseria subflava

NCBI ID

28449

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/005/221/305/GCF_005221305.1_ASM522130v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_005221305.1_ASM522130v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Neisseria subflava is a member of the genus Neisseria, which includes both pathogenic and commensal species. While N. subflava is generally considered a non-pathogenic commensal organism found in the human oropharynx, it has been associated with certain clinical implications. Clinical relevance primarily arises in immunocompromised patients, where it can act as an opportunistic pathogen. It has been implicated in infections such as endocarditis and respiratory tract infections, particularly in individuals with underlying health conditions. One of the notable aspects of N. subflava is its potential for antimicrobial resistance. There have been reports of resistance to common antibiotics, which complicates treatment options in cases where it is involved in infections. This resistance may be attributed to the organism's ability to acquire resistance genes from other bacteria, a phenomenon that is increasingly common among Neisseria species. In terms of immune evasion, N. subflava may utilize mechanisms similar to those of its pathogenic relatives, such as the expression of surface proteins that help it evade detection by the host's immune system. This ability to persist in the human body without causing disease in healthy individuals underscores its role as a commensal organism. While N. subflava is not typically associated with outbreaks, its presence in clinical specimens necessitates careful identification and consideration in the context of infections in vulnerable populations. Overall, while it is not a primary pathogen, its potential to cause disease in specific circumstances and its role in antimicrobial resistance highlight the importance of understanding this organism in clinical microbiology.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Neisseria subflava is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in various human-associated environments and natural habitats. This microorganism is primarily located in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, and upper respiratory tract of humans, where it plays a significant role in the microbial community. Its presence is often associated with the normal flora of the human body, contributing to the maintenance of a balanced microbiome and preventing the colonization of pathogenic organisms. In addition to its role in the human microbiome, Neisseria subflava can also be found in environmental niches such as soil and water, where it may interact with other microorganisms. These interactions can include nutrient cycling and biofilm formation, which are essential for maintaining ecosystem health. Notably, Neisseria subflava exhibits a degree of symbiosis with other bacteria, potentially enhancing their survival and metabolic capabilities. Its ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions allows it to thrive in diverse habitats, making it a resilient member of microbial communities. Overall, Neisseria subflava exemplifies the intricate relationships that microorganisms have with their environments and the critical roles they play in both human health and ecological systems.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Neisseria subflava has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its ability to participate in fermentation processes, which can be harnessed for the production of specific metabolites and bioactive compounds. For instance, its metabolic pathways may be utilized to produce certain amino acids or vitamins that are valuable in nutritional supplements and food industries. In the realm of waste management, Neisseria subflava has been studied for its role in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of complex organic materials. This capability can be advantageous in treating wastewater or organic waste, contributing to more sustainable waste management practices. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities of Neisseria subflava can be explored for enzyme production, which is crucial in various industrial processes, including the textile and food industries. The enzymes produced by this microorganism may facilitate processes such as bioconversion of substrates into useful products, enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Overall, while Neisseria subflava is not as widely recognized as some other microorganisms in industrial applications, its unique properties and capabilities present opportunities for innovation in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development.

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: 11

LLM predicted phenotypes: 2

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/gemini-pro-1.5	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemini-flash-1.5	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-pro
Motility	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Gram staining	gram stain negative	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	aerobic ✓	N/A	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	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	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biofilm formation	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	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 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 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	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	gamma	gamma ✓	gamma ✓	N/A	beta ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	alpha ✗	alpha ✗	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	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	bacillus	bacillus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus

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