Streptococcus salivarius

General Information

Streptococcus salivarius is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its presence in the human oral cavity, particularly on the tongue and in saliva. This bacterium is one of the first to colonize the mouth of newborns, establishing itself as a dominant member of the oral microbiota. What makes S. salivarius particularly interesting is its role in oral health. It is considered a beneficial bacterium due to its ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria through the production of bacteriocins, which are antimicrobial peptides. Moreover, S. salivarius has been studied for its potential probiotic properties. Some strains, such as Streptococcus salivarius K12, have been developed into oral probiotics aimed at preventing oral infections like streptococcal pharyngitis and halitosis. These probiotic strains work by outcompeting harmful bacteria and maintaining a healthy balance of the oral microbiome. From a research perspective, S. salivarius is valuable due to its genetic diversity and adaptability. It can thrive in various environments within the oral cavity, which makes it an excellent model for studying microbial ecology and interactions within complex microbial communities. Additionally, its ability to produce extracellular polysaccharides contributes to the formation of dental plaque, providing insights into biofilm formation and its implications for dental health. In summary, Streptococcus salivarius is not only a key player in maintaining oral health but also a subject of significant interest for its probiotic potential and its role in the complex ecosystem of the human mouth. Its study offers valuable insights into microbial interactions, biofilm dynamics, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for oral diseases.

Streptococcus salivarius is a commensal bacterium predominantly found in the human oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. This organism is particularly interesting due to its role in maintaining oral health and its potential applications in probiotic therapies. One of the most notable characteristics of S. salivarius is its ability to produce bacteriocins, which are antimicrobial peptides that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, thereby contributing to the prevention of dental caries and other oral infections. Additionally, S. salivarius is known for its unique ability to colonize the oral cavity shortly after birth, establishing a crucial part of the human microbiome. This early colonization is essential for the development of a healthy oral microbiota and can influence the immune system's maturation. From a research perspective, S. salivarius has garnered attention for its potential use as a probiotic, particularly in formulations aimed at improving oral health and preventing respiratory infections. Studies have shown that certain strains of S. salivarius can enhance the immune response and may help in reducing the incidence of throat infections. Moreover, the organism's genetic and metabolic versatility makes it a valuable model for studying bacterial interactions within the microbiome. Its relatively simple growth requirements and ability to thrive in the complex environment of the mouth provide insights into microbial ecology and the dynamics of host-microbe interactions. Overall, Streptococcus salivarius stands out as a significant player in oral health and microbiome research, with promising implications for therapeutic applications.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Streptococcaceae

Genus: Streptococcus

Species: Streptococcus salivarius

NCBI ID

1304

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/636/435/GCA_900636435.1_42197_C01

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900636435.1_42197_C01_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Streptococcus salivarius is a member of the normal oral microbiota and plays a significant role in human health. It is primarily found in the mouth and throat, where it contributes to the maintenance of oral health by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria through the production of antimicrobial substances. Clinical implications of S. salivarius include its association with oral health and its potential role in preventing dental caries and periodontal disease. In addition to its beneficial effects, S. salivarius has been implicated in certain infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. It can occasionally be isolated from cases of bacteremia and endocarditis, although these occurrences are relatively rare. The organism's ability to form biofilms may contribute to its persistence in the oral cavity and its potential pathogenicity in specific contexts. Moreover, S. salivarius has garnered attention for its potential as a probiotic. Certain strains, such as S. salivarius K12, have been studied for their ability to reduce halitosis and improve oral health by outcompeting harmful bacteria. These strains are also being explored for their therapeutic applications in upper respiratory infections and throat infections, where they may help to modulate the immune response and reduce the severity of symptoms. Regarding antimicrobial resistance, S. salivarius generally exhibits low levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, making it a candidate for therapeutic use. However, vigilance is necessary as resistance patterns can evolve. Overall, the clinical relevance of S. salivarius lies in its dual role as a beneficial commensal organism and a potential pathogen under certain conditions.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Streptococcus salivarius is a bacterium commonly found in the oral cavity of humans and other mammals. This microorganism plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the oral microbiome, contributing to the balance of microbial communities that inhabit the mouth. It thrives in the moist, nutrient-rich environment of the oral cavity, where it can adhere to the surfaces of teeth and mucosal tissues, forming biofilms that protect against pathogenic bacteria. In terms of ecological niches, S. salivarius is often associated with the tongue and buccal mucosa, where it can outcompete harmful microorganisms through various mechanisms, including the production of antimicrobial substances. This bacterium is known for its ability to produce bacteriocins, which inhibit the growth of other bacteria, thus playing a protective role in the oral ecosystem. Additionally, S. salivarius is involved in symbiotic relationships with other members of the oral microbiota. It can help in the digestion of food particles and the metabolism of sugars, contributing to the overall health of the host. Its presence is also linked to the prevention of dental caries and other oral diseases, highlighting its importance in maintaining oral health. Furthermore, S. salivarius can adapt to varying conditions within the oral environment, such as changes in pH and the presence of different nutrients, showcasing its resilience and ecological versatility. Overall, this microorganism is a key player in the oral biome, influencing both the health of the host and the dynamics of microbial communities within the mouth.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Streptococcus salivarius has several notable industrial applications primarily in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This bacterium is a natural inhabitant of the human oral cavity and has been studied for its potential benefits in oral health. One of its key roles is in the fermentation process, where it can produce beneficial metabolites such as bacteriocins, which are antimicrobial peptides that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This property makes Streptococcus salivarius a candidate for use in probiotic formulations aimed at improving oral hygiene and preventing dental caries. In addition to its probiotic potential, Streptococcus salivarius has been explored for its ability to produce enzymes that can be utilized in various biotechnological applications. For instance, its enzymatic activity can be harnessed in the production of bioactive compounds that have applications in food preservation and enhancement. Furthermore, this microorganism has shown promise in the area of waste management, particularly in the biodegradation of organic waste. Its metabolic pathways can be utilized to break down complex organic materials, contributing to more efficient waste treatment processes. This capability is particularly valuable in the development of sustainable waste management practices. Overall, Streptococcus salivarius represents a versatile microorganism with significant potential in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, particularly through its roles in fermentation, enzyme production, and biodegradation.

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

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