Streptococcus ferus

General Information

Streptococcus ferus is a fascinating microorganism primarily due to its unique ecological niche and potential applications in research. This species is typically found in the oral cavities of wild animals, particularly rodents, which makes it an interesting subject for studying host-microbe interactions in non-human hosts. One of the key characteristics of S. ferus is its ability to adapt to various environmental conditions within the oral cavity, which is a dynamic and complex ecosystem. This adaptability is crucial for understanding how bacteria colonize and persist in such environments, providing insights into microbial ecology and evolution. Moreover, S. ferus has been studied for its potential role in dental health. Unlike some other Streptococcus species that are pathogenic and associated with dental caries in humans, S. ferus does not appear to be a significant pathogen. This makes it a valuable model for studying the mechanisms of non-pathogenic colonization and the factors that differentiate pathogenic from non-pathogenic Streptococcus species. From a genetic perspective, S. ferus offers a rich source of genetic material for comparative genomics. By comparing its genome with those of pathogenic Streptococcus species, researchers can identify genes and regulatory networks that contribute to virulence, resistance, and other important traits. This comparative approach can lead to the discovery of novel targets for antimicrobial therapies and preventive measures. In summary, Streptococcus ferus is a noteworthy organism due to its unique ecological niche, its role in oral health, and its potential contributions to genetic and microbial research. Its study not only enhances our understanding of microbial diversity and adaptation but also provides valuable insights that could inform the development of new medical and dental treatments.

Streptococcus ferus is a fascinating species of bacteria that has garnered attention due to its unique ecological niche and potential implications in both veterinary and human health. This organism is primarily isolated from the oral cavity of animals, particularly in the context of dental health, which makes it a subject of interest in studies related to oral microbiomes and their impact on overall health. Its ability to thrive in the complex environment of the oral cavity highlights its adaptability and resilience. One of the most intriguing aspects of S. ferus is its potential role in the pathogenesis of certain diseases. Research has indicated that it may be involved in the development of periodontal disease, which is a significant concern in both veterinary and human medicine. Understanding the mechanisms by which S. ferus contributes to such conditions could lead to novel therapeutic strategies. Additionally, S. ferus has been studied for its interactions with other microbial species within the oral microbiome. These interactions can provide insights into microbial ecology and the balance of health and disease in the oral cavity. The organism's metabolic capabilities and its production of various enzymes also make it a candidate for further research into its potential applications in biotechnology, particularly in the development of probiotics or oral health products. In summary, Streptococcus ferus stands out due to its ecological significance, potential health implications, and the opportunities it presents for research into microbial interactions and disease mechanisms. Its study could yield valuable insights into both veterinary and human health, making it a noteworthy subject in microbiological research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Streptococcaceae

Genus: Streptococcus

Species: Streptococcus ferus

NCBI ID

1345

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/475/025/GCA_900475025.1_41906_G01

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900475025.1_41906_G01_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Streptococcus ferus is a member of the Streptococcus genus, which is known for its diverse roles in human health and disease. While S. ferus is less commonly discussed than other Streptococcus species, it has been associated with certain clinical implications. Clinical relevance includes its potential role in infections that may arise in immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying health conditions. It has been isolated from various clinical specimens, indicating its ability to act as a pathogen under specific circumstances. One of the notable aspects of S. ferus is its potential for antimicrobial resistance. Like many streptococci, it may exhibit resistance to commonly used antibiotics, which complicates treatment options. This resistance can be attributed to various mechanisms, including the acquisition of resistance genes and the ability to form biofilms, which protect the bacteria from the effects of antimicrobial agents. In terms of immune evasion, S. ferus may employ strategies similar to other streptococci, such as the production of surface proteins that inhibit phagocytosis and the secretion of enzymes that degrade host immune factors. These mechanisms allow the organism to persist in the host and contribute to its pathogenic potential. While there is limited documentation on specific outbreaks directly linked to S. ferus, its presence in clinical settings underscores the importance of monitoring for this organism, especially in patients with compromised immune systems. Further research is needed to fully elucidate its role in human health and disease, as well as its potential applications in medical microbiology.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Streptococcus ferus is a bacterium commonly associated with various habitats within the human body, particularly in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. This microorganism thrives in environments that are rich in organic matter and can adapt to varying levels of oxygen, making it a versatile inhabitant of both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In the oral biome, S. ferus plays a significant role in the complex microbial community, contributing to the overall health of the mouth. It interacts with other bacteria, forming biofilms on the surfaces of teeth and gums. These biofilms can be beneficial, helping to prevent the colonization of pathogenic organisms, but they can also contribute to dental issues if dysbiosis occurs. In the gastrointestinal tract, S. ferus is involved in the fermentation of carbohydrates, producing short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for gut health. This bacterium can engage in symbiotic relationships with other gut microbiota, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption. Its presence is crucial for maintaining a balanced microbial ecosystem, which is essential for the host's overall health. Overall, Streptococcus ferus exemplifies the intricate relationships microorganisms have within their biomes, showcasing its adaptability and essential roles in both oral and gut health.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Streptococcus ferus has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This organism is known for its role in fermentation, where it can contribute to the production of lactic acid, a valuable compound used in food preservation and as a food additive. The ability of Streptococcus ferus to ferment carbohydrates makes it a candidate for the development of bio-based products in the food industry. In the realm of waste management, Streptococcus ferus can be involved in 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 contributes to the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem. Moreover, the enzymatic activity of Streptococcus ferus can be harnessed for pharmaceutical development, particularly in the synthesis of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. The organism's ability to produce specific enzymes can be utilized in enzyme production, which is crucial for various biotechnological applications, including the development of new drugs and therapeutic agents. Overall, Streptococcus ferus presents a multifaceted potential in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical industries, making it a valuable microorganism for future industrial applications.

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

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