Staphylococcus auricularis

General Information

Staphylococcus auricularis is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the genus Staphylococcus. This species was first isolated from the human external ear, which is reflected in its name. One of the most intriguing aspects of S. auricularis is its ability to thrive in the unique environment of the human ear, which is characterized by a distinct microbiome and specific environmental conditions such as varying pH levels and the presence of earwax. From a research perspective, S. auricularis is particularly valuable due to its potential role in the human skin and ear microbiota. Understanding its interactions with other microorganisms and the human host can provide insights into the maintenance of healthy skin and ear environments, as well as the prevention of infections. Another interesting characteristic of S. auricularis is its production of unique enzymes and metabolites. These biochemical compounds can be studied for their potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. For instance, enzymes produced by S. auricularis might have applications in industrial processes or as therapeutic agents. Moreover, S. auricularis has been studied for its antibiotic resistance profiles, which is crucial in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria. By studying the resistance mechanisms in S. auricularis, researchers can develop better strategies to combat resistant strains and improve treatment outcomes. In summary, Staphylococcus auricularis is a microorganism of significant interest due to its unique habitat, interactions within the human microbiome, production of valuable biochemical compounds, and its role in the study of antibiotic resistance. These characteristics make it a valuable subject for ongoing and future research in microbiology and related fields.

Staphylococcus auricularis 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 emerging role in human health, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It has been isolated from various clinical specimens, indicating its potential as an opportunistic pathogen. One of the unique aspects of S. auricularis is its ability to produce bioactive compounds, which may have implications for its interactions with other microorganisms and the host immune system. Research has shown that it can exhibit antimicrobial resistance, which raises concerns regarding its treatment in clinical settings. Furthermore, S. auricularis has been studied for its genetic diversity and the presence of mobile genetic elements, which can contribute to its adaptability and survival in various environments. This adaptability makes it a valuable organism for studying microbial evolution and the mechanisms of resistance. In summary, Staphylococcus auricularis serves as a significant model for understanding the complexities of skin microbiota, its role in health and disease, and the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Bacillales

Family: Staphylococcaceae

Genus: Staphylococcus

Species: Staphylococcus auricularis

NCBI ID

29379

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/016/028/295/GCA_016028295.1_ASM1602829v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_016028295.1_ASM1602829v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Staphylococcus auricularis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) that is part of the normal flora of human skin and mucous membranes. While it is generally considered a commensal organism, it has been associated with various clinical implications, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Infections caused by S. auricularis can occur, especially in cases of indwelling medical devices, where it may act as an opportunistic pathogen. These infections can lead to bacteremia, endocarditis, and skin infections. One of the significant concerns regarding S. auricularis is its potential for antimicrobial resistance. Like other CNS species, it can exhibit resistance to multiple antibiotics, including methicillin, which complicates treatment options. This resistance is often attributed to the acquisition of resistance genes and the ability to form biofilms, which protect the bacteria from both the host immune response and antibiotic treatment. In terms of immune evasion strategies, S. auricularis can produce various virulence factors that help it evade the host's immune system, including surface proteins that inhibit phagocytosis and enzymes that degrade host tissues. While S. auricularis is not commonly linked to large outbreaks, its role in nosocomial infections highlights the importance of monitoring and understanding its behavior in clinical settings. Overall, while it is a part of the normal microbiota, its potential to cause infections in vulnerable populations underscores its clinical relevance.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Staphylococcus auricularis is a species of bacteria commonly found in various habitats associated with human and animal skin. This microorganism thrives in epidermal niches, particularly in areas with high moisture and warmth, such as the auricular region (ear) and other skin folds. 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 skin's natural defenses. In terms of ecological interactions, S. auricularis exhibits commensal relationships with its host, meaning it benefits from the environment without causing harm. This symbiotic relationship is crucial for the balance of the skin microbiota, as it helps to prevent the colonization of more harmful bacteria. Additionally, it can adapt to various environmental conditions, including fluctuations in temperature and moisture, which allows it to persist in diverse habitats. Furthermore, S. auricularis has been documented in urban environments, where it can be found on surfaces and objects that come into contact with human skin. Its ability to survive on inanimate surfaces highlights its ecological versatility and potential role in pathogen transmission in crowded settings. Overall, Staphylococcus auricularis exemplifies the complex interactions within the skin microbiome and its importance in both health and disease.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Staphylococcus auricularis has shown potential in various industrial applications primarily due to its unique metabolic capabilities and enzymatic activities. One notable area is biotechnology, where S. auricularis can be utilized in fermentation processes to produce valuable metabolites. For instance, it has been studied for its ability to ferment certain sugars, which can lead to the production of organic acids and other compounds that are useful in food and pharmaceutical industries. In the realm of waste management, S. auricularis has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of pollutants and organic waste materials. This can be particularly beneficial in treating wastewater and reducing environmental contaminants, showcasing its potential in sustainable waste treatment solutions. Furthermore, the organism's enzymatic activity can be harnessed for biofuel production. By utilizing its metabolic pathways, S. auricularis may contribute to the conversion of biomass into biofuels through fermentation processes, thus supporting renewable energy initiatives. In pharmaceutical development, S. auricularis has been explored for its potential in producing antimicrobial compounds, which could lead to the development of new antibiotics or preservatives. Its ability to synthesize bioactive molecules makes it a candidate for further research in drug formulation and therapeutic applications. Overall, Staphylococcus auricularis presents a versatile profile for various industries, particularly in biotechnology, waste management, biofuel production, and pharmaceutical development, making it a microorganism of interest for future industrial applications.

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

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