Streptococcus criceti

General Information

Streptococcus criceti is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its presence in the oral cavities of rodents, particularly hamsters. This bacterium is part of the complex microbial community that contributes to the oral health and disease dynamics in these animals. One of the most interesting aspects of S. criceti is its role in the formation of dental caries, making it a valuable model for studying tooth decay mechanisms. From a research perspective, S. criceti is notable for its ability to produce lactic acid through the fermentation of carbohydrates. This metabolic activity is crucial because the acid production can lead to the demineralization of tooth enamel, a key process in the development of cavities. Understanding how S. criceti and similar bacteria contribute to this process can help in developing better preventive and therapeutic strategies for dental caries in humans. Another unique feature of S. criceti is its genetic makeup, which provides insights into the evolutionary relationships within the Streptococcus genus. Comparative genomic studies have revealed that S. criceti shares several genetic traits with other cariogenic streptococci, such as Streptococcus mutans, but also possesses distinct genes that may confer specific advantages in its niche environment. Moreover, S. criceti has been studied for its interactions with other oral microorganisms. These interactions can influence the overall microbial community structure and function, affecting the balance between health and disease in the oral cavity. The ability of S. criceti to adhere to surfaces and co-aggregate with other bacteria is a key factor in its ecological success and pathogenic potential. In summary, Streptococcus criceti is a valuable organism for research due to its role in dental caries, its unique genetic characteristics, and its interactions within the oral microbiome. These features make it an important model for understanding microbial ecology, pathogenesis, and the development of dental diseases.

Streptococcus criceti is a fascinating species of bacteria that has garnered interest primarily due to its association with the health of hamsters, particularly in laboratory settings. This organism is part of the normal flora of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of these small mammals, which makes it a valuable model for studying host-microbe interactions. Understanding the role of S. criceti in the hamster microbiome can provide insights into the broader implications of microbial communities in health and disease. One of the unique aspects of S. criceti is its potential to influence the immune response in its host. Research has shown that certain strains can modulate immune functions, which may have implications for developing therapies for immune-related conditions. This characteristic positions S. criceti as a potential candidate for further studies in immunology and microbiome research. Additionally, S. criceti has been studied for its metabolic capabilities, particularly in the fermentation of carbohydrates. This metabolic versatility can provide insights into the ecological roles of streptococci in various environments, including their interactions with other microbial species. Such studies can enhance our understanding of microbial ecology and the dynamics of microbial communities. Overall, Streptococcus criceti serves as an important organism for research, particularly in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and veterinary science, making it a valuable subject for further exploration.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Streptococcaceae

Genus: Streptococcus

Species: Streptococcus criceti

NCBI ID

1333

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/459/215/GCA_900459215.1_44087_A02

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900459215.1_44087_A02_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Streptococcus criceti is a member of the Streptococcus genus, primarily known for its association with various infections in animals, particularly in hamsters. While its clinical implications in humans are not extensively documented, it is important to consider its potential role in opportunistic infections and its relevance in veterinary medicine. Pathogenicity of Streptococcus criceti may be linked to its ability to colonize mucosal surfaces, leading to infections in immunocompromised hosts. Furthermore, there is a possibility of zoonotic transmission, although this has not been well-studied. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, there is limited data available, but like many streptococci, it may possess mechanisms that confer resistance to common antibiotics, which is a growing concern in both human and veterinary medicine. The organism's interaction with the human body remains largely unexplored, but its presence in animal models suggests that it could elicit an immune response if transmitted to humans. Currently, there are no known medical applications such as probiotics, vaccines, or therapeutics directly associated with Streptococcus criceti. However, understanding its role in animal health could provide insights into its potential implications for human health, especially in contexts where human-animal interactions are prevalent. Overall, while Streptococcus criceti is not a primary pathogen in humans, its relevance in the context of infections and antimicrobial resistance warrants further investigation.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Streptococcus criceti is a bacterium commonly associated with the gastrointestinal tract of hamsters and other small mammals. This organism thrives in a variety of microbial habitats that are rich in organic matter and nutrients, primarily found in the gut microbiome of its hosts. The ecological niche of S. criceti is characterized by its role in the fermentation of dietary fibers, contributing to the overall health of the host by aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption. Habitat Characteristics: - S. criceti is typically found in the intestinal tract, where it forms part of a complex community of microorganisms. This environment is often anaerobic, providing the ideal conditions for the growth of this bacterium. - The presence of S. criceti is crucial for maintaining a balanced gut microbiota, which can influence the host's immune response and overall health. Ecological Interactions: - This bacterium engages in symbiotic relationships with its host, helping to break down complex carbohydrates and produce short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial for the host's metabolism. - S. criceti may also interact with other gut microorganisms, contributing to the stability and diversity of the gut microbiome, which is essential for preventing dysbiosis and associated diseases. In summary, Streptococcus criceti plays a significant role in the gut ecosystem of small mammals, highlighting its importance in both the health of its host and the broader ecological interactions within the microbial community.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Streptococcus criceti has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its role in fermentation, where it can be utilized to produce lactic acid, a valuable compound in food preservation and as a food additive. The ability of Streptococcus criceti to ferment carbohydrates efficiently makes it a candidate for the production of bio-based chemicals. In the realm of waste management, Streptococcus criceti can contribute to the biodegradation of organic waste, helping to break down complex organic materials into simpler compounds. This process not only aids in waste reduction but also enhances nutrient recycling in ecosystems. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of Streptococcus criceti has implications in enzyme production, where specific enzymes can be harnessed for industrial processes, including those in the food and beverage industry. The organism's metabolic pathways can be explored for the development of novel enzymes that facilitate various biochemical reactions. Overall, Streptococcus criceti presents a multifaceted potential in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, making it a valuable organism for further research and industrial application.

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

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