Eikenella exigua

General Information

Eikenella exigua is a relatively lesser-known member of the Eikenella genus, which is part of the family Neisseriaceae. This microorganism is particularly interesting due to its unique metabolic capabilities and its potential role in human health. Unlike its more famous relative, Eikenella corrodens, which is well-documented in clinical settings, Eikenella exigua has not been as extensively studied, making it a subject of curiosity for microbiologists and infectious disease researchers. One of the most intriguing aspects of Eikenella exigua is its ability to thrive in specific ecological niches. This organism has been isolated from various human clinical specimens, suggesting it may play a role in certain infections, although its exact pathogenic potential remains to be fully elucidated. The metabolic pathways of Eikenella exigua are also of interest, as they may offer insights into novel biochemical processes and potential biotechnological applications. From a research perspective, Eikenella exigua presents an opportunity to explore microbial diversity within the human microbiome and its interactions with other microorganisms. Understanding these interactions could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing infections and maintaining microbial balance. Additionally, studying the genetic makeup of Eikenella exigua could reveal new targets for antimicrobial development, which is crucial in the era of increasing antibiotic resistance. In summary, Eikenella exigua is a microorganism that holds significant promise for advancing our understanding of microbial ecology, pathogenesis, and potential biotechnological applications. Its relatively unexplored nature makes it a fascinating subject for future research endeavors.

Eikenella exigua is a fascinating species of bacteria that belongs to the genus Eikenella, which is part of the family Neisseriaceae. This organism is notable for its unique ecological niche and its role in human health. It is primarily found in the human oral cavity and is often associated with periodontal disease, making it an important subject of study in dental microbiology. One of the most interesting aspects of E. exigua is its ability to thrive in anaerobic environments, which is typical for many oral bacteria. This characteristic allows it to play a significant role in the complex microbial communities of the mouth, contributing to both health and disease states. The organism is also known for its metabolic versatility, as it can utilize a variety of substrates for growth, which is essential for its survival in the competitive oral environment. From a research perspective, Eikenella exigua is valuable due to its potential pathogenicity. It has been implicated in various infections, particularly in cases of human bite wounds and endocarditis. Understanding the mechanisms of its pathogenicity can provide insights into how oral bacteria can transition from commensals to pathogens. Furthermore, its interactions with other oral microorganisms can shed light on the dynamics of microbial communities and their impact on human health. In addition, E. exigua has been studied for its antimicrobial resistance patterns, which are increasingly important in the context of rising antibiotic resistance. Investigating these patterns can help inform treatment strategies for infections caused by this organism and similar bacteria. Overall, Eikenella exigua serves as a significant model organism for studying oral microbiology, human health, and the complexities of microbial interactions, making it a valuable subject for ongoing research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Betaproteobacteria

Order: Neisseriales

Family: Neisseriaceae

Genus: Eikenella

Species: Eikenella exigua

NCBI ID

2528037

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/008/805/035/GCF_008805035.1_ASM880503v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_008805035.1_ASM880503v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Eikenella exigua is a gram-negative facultative anaerobe that is part of the normal flora of the human mouth and upper respiratory tract. Despite its commensal nature, it has been associated with various clinical implications. It is known to cause soft tissue infections, particularly in cases of human bites or fistfights, where it can enter through broken skin. Infections can manifest as abscesses, cellulitis, or endocarditis, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Eikenella exigua is also notable for its antimicrobial resistance; it exhibits intrinsic resistance to several commonly used antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins. This resistance complicates treatment options and necessitates the use of alternative antibiotics, such as tetracyclines or ampicillin/sulbactam. In terms of immune evasion, Eikenella exigua can produce factors that inhibit phagocytosis, allowing it to persist in host tissues despite an active immune response. Its role in polymicrobial infections is also significant, as it often co-infects with other pathogens, further complicating clinical outcomes. While Eikenella exigua is primarily associated with infections, its presence in the oral cavity has led to research into its potential use as a probiotic in oral health, although this application is still under investigation. Overall, understanding the clinical relevance of Eikenella exigua is crucial for effective management of infections and for developing strategies to combat its associated antimicrobial resistance.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Eikenella exigua is a gram-negative bacterium commonly associated with human oral and gastrointestinal flora. This organism thrives in various habitat types that are closely linked to human activity and health. Its primary ecological niches include the oral cavity, periodontal pockets, and intestinal tract of humans, where it plays a significant role in maintaining microbial balance and health. Oral Cavity: In the oral environment, _Eikenella exigua is often found in the biofilm of dental plaque. It contributes to the complex microbial community that can influence oral health. Its presence is associated with both health and disease states, particularly in conditions like periodontitis, where it may interact with other bacteria, contributing to inflammation and tissue destruction. The bacterium can also engage in symbiotic relationships with other oral microorganisms, aiding in nutrient acquisition and metabolic processes. Gastrointestinal Tract: Within the gastrointestinal tract, _Eikenella exigua is part of the normal gut microbiota. It plays a role in the fermentation of carbohydrates and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial for gut health. The bacterium's ability to adapt to the anaerobic conditions of the gut allows it to thrive in this environment, where it can also interact with other gut microbes, contributing to the overall microbial diversity and stability of the gut ecosystem. Overall, _Eikenella exigua exemplifies the intricate relationships microorganisms have with their environments, showcasing its importance in both oral and gut health, and highlighting its role in the broader context of human-associated biomes.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Eikenella exigua has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. In biotechnology, Eikenella exigua is known for its role in fermentation processes, where it can be utilized to produce specific metabolites that may have commercial value. Its ability to thrive in anaerobic conditions makes it a candidate for developing bioprocesses that require low oxygen levels, which is beneficial in certain fermentation setups. In the realm of waste management, Eikenella exigua has been studied for its capacity to degrade organic matter, contributing to biodegradation processes. This characteristic can be harnessed in the treatment of wastewater, where the organism can help break down complex organic pollutants, thus improving the efficiency of waste treatment facilities. Furthermore, in pharmaceutical development, Eikenella exigua has been investigated for its potential in producing bioactive compounds. Its enzymatic activity may lead to the discovery of new antibiotics or other therapeutic agents, making it a valuable organism in the search for novel pharmaceuticals. Overall, the diverse capabilities of Eikenella exigua in fermentation, biodegradation, and enzyme production highlight its significance in various industrial sectors, paving the way for innovative applications that leverage its unique biological properties.

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

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