Elizabethkingia ursingii

General Information

Elizabethkingia ursingii is a bacterium that belongs to the genus Elizabethkingia, which is known for its clinical significance, particularly in hospital settings. This organism is of particular interest due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics, making it a challenging pathogen to treat. Elizabethkingia ursingii has been isolated from various clinical specimens, including blood and respiratory samples, indicating its potential to cause serious infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. One of the unique aspects of Elizabethkingia ursingii is its genomic composition, which includes genes that confer resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, including beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. This resistance is often mediated by the presence of multiple resistance genes and efflux pumps, which actively expel antibiotics from the bacterial cell. From a research perspective, Elizabethkingia ursingii is valuable for studying antibiotic resistance mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic strategies. Its ability to survive in hospital environments and its association with nosocomial infections make it a critical subject for epidemiological studies aimed at understanding the spread and control of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Additionally, the genus Elizabethkingia has been noted for its unique lipid A structure in its lipopolysaccharides, which can influence the bacterium's interaction with the host immune system. This makes Elizabethkingia ursingii an interesting model for studying host-pathogen interactions and the immune response to Gram-negative bacterial infections. Overall, Elizabethkingia ursingii is a noteworthy bacterium due to its clinical relevance, antibiotic resistance, and unique biological features, making it a significant focus for ongoing microbiological and medical research.

Elizabethkingia ursingii is a notable species within the genus Elizabethkingia, which is part of the family Flavobacteriaceae. This organism has garnered attention due to its emerging role as an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It is often associated with severe infections, including bacteremia and pneumonia, making it a significant concern in clinical settings, especially in neonatal and elderly populations. One of the most interesting aspects of E. ursingii is its resistance to multiple antibiotics, which poses challenges for treatment options. This resistance is attributed to its unique genetic makeup, which includes various resistance genes that can be transferred between bacteria, highlighting the importance of understanding its genetic structure for public health. Furthermore, E. ursingii has been isolated from diverse environments, including clinical specimens and environmental sources, indicating its versatile ecological niche. This adaptability raises questions about its transmission routes and the factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. Research into E. ursingii is valuable not only for its clinical implications but also for understanding the broader dynamics of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The study of this organism can provide insights into the mechanisms of resistance and the evolution of pathogenic traits, which are critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies and infection control measures. Overall, Elizabethkingia ursingii serves as a compelling subject for microbiological research, particularly in the context of emerging infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacteroidota

Class: Flavobacteriia

Order: Flavobacteriales

Family: Weeksellaceae

Genus: Elizabethkingia

Species: Elizabethkingia ursingii

NCBI ID

1756150

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/022/125/GCF_002022125.1_ASM202212v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002022125.1_ASM202212v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Elizabethkingia ursingii is a Gram-negative, non-fermentative rod that has been associated with various clinical implications, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It is known to cause infections such as bacteremia and pneumonia, especially in individuals with underlying health conditions, including those with chronic illnesses or those undergoing invasive procedures. The organism is notable for its pathogenicity, as it can lead to severe outcomes in vulnerable populations, including neonates and the elderly. One of the significant concerns regarding Elizabethkingia ursingii is its antimicrobial resistance. This organism has shown resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, including beta-lactams, which complicates treatment options. The presence of such resistance mechanisms poses a challenge in clinical settings, making it crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of its potential to cause difficult-to-treat infections. In terms of immune evasion, Elizabethkingia ursingii can evade the host's immune response through various strategies, including the production of biofilms and the ability to survive in phagocytic cells. This ability to persist in the host contributes to its pathogenic potential and complicates the management of infections. While Elizabethkingia ursingii is not commonly associated with outbreaks, its detection in clinical specimens has raised awareness about its role as an opportunistic pathogen. Understanding the clinical implications of this organism is essential for improving patient outcomes and developing effective treatment strategies.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Elizabethkingia ursingii is a bacterium that is primarily associated with human-associated environments, particularly in clinical settings. This microorganism is often isolated from hospital environments, where it can thrive in the presence of various nutrient sources found in medical equipment and surfaces. Its ability to survive in such man-made habitats highlights its adaptability to artificial environments that are rich in organic material and moisture. In terms of ecological roles, E. ursingii is known for its potential as an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. This underscores its significance in the microbial community of healthcare settings, where it can interact with other microorganisms and host defenses. The presence of E. ursingii in these environments can lead to nosocomial infections, making it a critical organism for infection control and public health. Furthermore, E. ursingii has been identified in various water sources, indicating its ability to adapt to aquatic environments as well. This adaptability suggests that it may play a role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in these habitats, although its primary association remains with human health contexts. Overall, the ecological niche of E. ursingii is closely tied to human activity and the healthcare biome, where it can have significant implications for patient care and microbial ecology.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Elizabethkingia ursingii has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its ability to thrive in diverse environments, which makes it a candidate for several biotechnological processes. In biotechnology, Elizabethkingia ursingii can be utilized in fermentation processes to produce valuable metabolites. Its unique metabolic pathways allow for the conversion of substrates into bioactive compounds, which can be harnessed for nutritional supplements or as precursors in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. In the realm of waste management, this microorganism has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of complex organic pollutants. Its enzymatic activity can facilitate the degradation of harmful substances in contaminated environments, making it a valuable asset in bioremediation efforts. Furthermore, Elizabethkingia ursingii has been studied for its potential in biofuel production. By optimizing its metabolic processes, researchers aim to enhance the efficiency of biofuel fermentation, converting agricultural waste into renewable energy sources. In pharmaceutical development, the organism's ability to produce specific enzymes and metabolites can lead to the discovery of new drugs or therapeutic agents. Its role in enzyme production is particularly noteworthy, as these enzymes can be used in various industrial applications, including the food industry and biocatalysis. Overall, Elizabethkingia ursingii presents a promising avenue for innovation across multiple industries, leveraging its unique biological properties for sustainable and effective 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: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

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

Back to Search