Schaalia turicensis

General Information

Schaalia turicensis is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the genus Schaalia, which is part of the family Actinomycetaceae. This bacterium is particularly interesting due to its association with human infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. One of the most notable characteristics of Schaalia turicensis is its role in causing actinomycosis, a chronic bacterial infection that can affect various parts of the body, including the oral cavity, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. What makes Schaalia turicensis unique is its ability to form complex, branching filamentous structures, which are reminiscent of fungal hyphae. This morphological feature can sometimes lead to misidentification, as it blurs the lines between bacterial and fungal characteristics. From a research perspective, Schaalia turicensis is valuable due to its antibiotic resistance profile. Understanding the mechanisms behind its resistance can provide insights into developing new therapeutic strategies. Additionally, its role in polymicrobial infections makes it a key organism for studying microbial interactions and the dynamics of mixed-species biofilms. Another intriguing aspect of Schaalia turicensis is its genomic composition. The genome of this bacterium contains several genes that are involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which could have potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. Overall, Schaalia turicensis is a microorganism of significant interest due to its clinical relevance, unique morphological features, and potential for contributing to the development of new antimicrobial agents and therapeutic approaches.*

Schaalia turicensis is a fascinating bacterium that was first isolated from human clinical samples, specifically from a patient with a urinary tract infection. This organism is notable for its unique metabolic capabilities, which allow it to thrive in diverse environments, including those that are nutrient-limited. Its ability to utilize various carbon sources makes it an interesting subject for studies on microbial metabolism and adaptation. One of the most intriguing aspects of Schaalia turicensis is its potential role in human health. While it is primarily recognized as an opportunistic pathogen, its presence in the human microbiome raises questions about its interactions with other microbial communities and its impact on host health. Research into this organism could provide insights into the balance of microbial populations and their influence on disease states. Additionally, Schaalia turicensis has been studied for its antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Understanding how this bacterium develops resistance to common antibiotics can inform treatment strategies and contribute to the broader field of antimicrobial resistance research. This makes it a valuable organism for microbiologists and healthcare professionals alike, as they seek to combat the growing threat of resistant infections. In summary, Schaalia turicensis stands out due to its metabolic versatility, potential implications for human health, and its role in the study of antimicrobial resistance, making it a significant subject for ongoing research in microbiology and infectious diseases.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Actinomycetales

Family: Actinomycetaceae

Genus: Schaalia

Species: Schaalia turicensis

NCBI ID

131111

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/019/380/255/GCA_019380255.1_ASM1938025v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_019380255.1_ASM1938025v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The microorganism Schaalia turicensis is a Gram-positive bacterium that has been associated with various clinical implications, particularly in the context of infections and its role in human health. It is primarily known for its association with endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart valves, particularly in patients with pre-existing heart conditions. The organism has been isolated from blood cultures, indicating its potential pathogenicity in immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying health issues. One of the notable aspects of Schaalia turicensis is its antimicrobial resistance profile. It has shown resistance to several commonly used antibiotics, which complicates treatment options for infections it may cause. This resistance is particularly concerning in the context of nosocomial infections, where patients are already vulnerable due to hospitalization. In terms of immune evasion strategies, Schaalia turicensis may employ mechanisms that allow it to persist in the host despite the immune response. This includes the ability to form biofilms, which can protect the bacteria from both the host's immune system and antibiotic treatment. While research on Schaalia turicensis is still emerging, its identification in clinical settings underscores the importance of accurate microbial diagnostics and the need for ongoing surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns. Understanding its role in infections can aid in developing targeted therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Schaalia turicensis is a bacterium that is primarily associated with the human microbiome, particularly in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. This microorganism thrives in environments that are rich in organic matter and nutrients, which are characteristic of these habitats. Its presence is often linked to the breakdown of complex carbohydrates and the fermentation processes that occur in these regions. In the oral cavity, Schaalia turicensis plays a role in the complex microbial community that contributes to oral health. It interacts with other microorganisms, forming biofilms on the surfaces of teeth and gums. This symbiotic relationship can help in maintaining a balanced microbial ecosystem, which is crucial for preventing dental diseases such as caries and periodontal disease. The ability of Schaalia turicensis to metabolize various substrates allows it to adapt to the fluctuating conditions of the oral environment, including changes in pH and nutrient availability. In the gastrointestinal tract, this bacterium is involved in the fermentation of dietary fibers, contributing to the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial for gut health. Its role in the gut microbiome is significant, as it helps in maintaining the overall microbial diversity and stability, which is essential for proper digestion and immune function. The interactions between Schaalia turicensis and other gut microbes can also influence host metabolism and may play a part in the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders. Overall, Schaalia turicensis exemplifies the intricate relationships that microorganisms have within their respective biomes, highlighting its importance in both oral and gut health through its ecological roles and adaptations.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Schaalia turicensis has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This organism is known for its ability to participate in biodegradation processes, which can be harnessed for the treatment of wastewater and the breakdown of organic pollutants. Its enzymatic activity allows it to effectively degrade complex compounds, making it a valuable asset in the development of sustainable waste treatment solutions. In the realm of biofuel production, Schaalia turicensis may contribute to the fermentation processes that convert biomass into bioethanol or other biofuels. By utilizing its metabolic pathways, this microorganism can help optimize the conversion of sugars derived from plant materials, enhancing the efficiency of biofuel production. Furthermore, there is potential for Schaalia turicensis in pharmaceutical development, particularly in the production of bioactive compounds through fermentation. The organism's unique metabolic capabilities may lead to the discovery of novel antibiotics or other therapeutic agents, which could be beneficial in addressing antibiotic resistance. Overall, the diverse applications of Schaalia turicensis in biotechnology, waste management, biofuel production, and pharmaceutical development highlight its significance as a versatile microorganism in industrial processes.

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

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