Aerococcus urinae

General Information

Aerococcus urinae is a fascinating microorganism that has garnered attention due to its clinical significance and unique characteristics. This bacterium is primarily known for its association with urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in elderly patients and those with underlying urological conditions. One of the most intriguing aspects of A. urinae is its ability to cause serious infections, such as endocarditis and septicemia, despite being relatively less common compared to other uropathogens. A. urinae is also notable for its distinctive colony morphology, which can aid in its identification in clinical laboratories. The colonies are typically small, alpha-hemolytic, and may appear similar to those of Streptococcus species, which can sometimes lead to misidentification. From a research perspective, A. urinae is valuable due to its unique resistance patterns. It is generally susceptible to a wide range of antibiotics, including penicillin, which is not always the case for many other uropathogens. This susceptibility profile makes it an interesting subject for studies on antibiotic resistance and treatment strategies. Furthermore, A. urinae has a unique genetic makeup that has been the subject of genomic studies. These studies aim to understand its pathogenic mechanisms, virulence factors, and potential for horizontal gene transfer. The insights gained from such research could have broader implications for understanding the evolution and adaptation of pathogenic bacteria. In summary, Aerococcus urinae is a clinically significant bacterium with unique characteristics that make it an important subject of study in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases. Its ability to cause serious infections, distinctive colony morphology, antibiotic susceptibility, and genetic uniqueness all contribute to its importance and interest in scientific research.

Aerococcus urinae is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its role as a commensal bacterium in the human urinary tract. This organism is particularly interesting due to its association with urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in elderly patients and those with underlying health conditions. Its ability to thrive in the urinary environment makes it a significant player in the study of uropathogenic bacteria. One of the unique characteristics of A. urinae is its ability to ferment a variety of carbohydrates, which allows it to adapt to different environments within the host. This metabolic versatility is a key area of research, as it may provide insights into how bacteria can survive and proliferate in hostile conditions, such as those found in the urinary tract. Additionally, A. urinae has been noted for its potential to form biofilms, which can contribute to its persistence in the urinary tract and complicate treatment options. Understanding the mechanisms behind biofilm formation in A. urinae could lead to better strategies for managing UTIs and preventing recurrence. From a clinical perspective, A. urinae is also of interest due to its antibiotic resistance patterns. Research into its resistance mechanisms can shed light on broader trends in antibiotic resistance among uropathogens, which is a growing concern in public health. Overall, Aerococcus urinae serves as a valuable model organism for studying urinary tract infections, bacterial adaptation, and antibiotic resistance, making it a significant focus of microbiological research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Aerococcaceae

Genus: Aerococcus

Species: Aerococcus urinae

NCBI ID

1376

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/001/543/175/GCF_001543175.1_ASM154317v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_001543175.1_ASM154317v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The microorganism Aerococcus urinae is a Gram-positive cocci that has gained attention due to its role in human health and disease. It is primarily associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in elderly patients and those with underlying health conditions. The organism is often found in the urine of patients, and its presence can indicate a significant infection, especially in cases where traditional pathogens are not identified. Clinical implications of Aerococcus urinae include its potential to cause bacteremia and endocarditis, which are serious conditions that can arise from its presence in the bloodstream or heart valves, respectively. One of the notable aspects of Aerococcus urinae is its antimicrobial resistance profile. It has shown resistance to several commonly used antibiotics, which complicates treatment options. This resistance is particularly concerning in the context of hospital-acquired infections, where the organism may be more prevalent due to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In terms of immune evasion, Aerococcus urinae can produce biofilms, which protect it from the host's immune response and enhance its ability to persist in the urinary tract. This characteristic contributes to its pathogenicity and complicates treatment efforts. While Aerococcus urinae is primarily recognized for its role in infections, there is ongoing research into its potential applications in probiotics and therapeutics, although these are not yet well-established. Understanding the clinical relevance of Aerococcus urinae is crucial for improving diagnostic and treatment strategies, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Aerococcus urinae is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly associated with the urinary tract of humans and other mammals. This microorganism thrives in environments characterized by high concentrations of urea and other nitrogenous waste products, making the urinary system its primary ecological niche. It is often found in the bladder and urethra, where it can exist as part of the normal microbiota or, in some cases, contribute to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Ecological Role: In its natural habitat, _A. urinae plays a significant role in the microbial community by participating in the breakdown of urea, thus contributing to the nitrogen cycle within the urinary tract. Its presence can help maintain a balanced microbial ecosystem, although an overgrowth can lead to pathogenic effects. Symbiotic Interactions: A. urinae may engage in symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms in the urinary tract, influencing the overall health of the host. It can interact with other bacteria, potentially inhibiting the growth of more harmful pathogens through competitive exclusion or the production of inhibitory substances. Environmental Adaptation: This bacterium exhibits remarkable adaptation to the unique conditions of the urinary tract, such as varying pH levels and osmotic pressure. Its ability to thrive in such a specialized environment underscores its evolutionary success and importance in the context of human health.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Aerococcus urinae has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This organism is known for its role in biodegradation, where it can assist in the breakdown of organic materials, making it valuable for waste treatment processes. Its ability to metabolize complex compounds can be harnessed to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment systems, contributing to the reduction of pollutants in effluents. In the realm of biofuel production, Aerococcus urinae may play a role in the fermentation processes that convert biomass into biofuels. While specific applications in biofuel production are still being explored, its metabolic capabilities suggest it could be involved in the conversion of sugars into ethanol or other biofuels through fermentation. Additionally, there is potential for Aerococcus urinae in pharmaceutical development. Its enzymatic activities could be utilized in the production of bioactive compounds or in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly through enzyme production that can catalyze specific biochemical reactions. Overall, while research is ongoing, Aerococcus urinae presents promising avenues for biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical industries, particularly through its involvement in biodegradation, fermentation, and enzyme production.

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	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	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	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b
Motility	N/A	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain variable ✗	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 ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain positive ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	aerotolerant ✗	aerotolerant ✗	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	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
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	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 ✓
Biofilm formation	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Animal pathogenicity	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	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 1 ✓	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 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	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true
Host association	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 ✓	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	beta	gamma ✗	gamma ✗	gamma ✗	gamma ✗	N/A	alpha ✗	alpha ✗	alpha ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	alpha ✗	alpha ✗	gamma ✗	gamma ✗	alpha ✗	alpha ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	N/A	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	bacillus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	bacillus	bacillus	coccus	coccus

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