Granulicatella elegans

General Information

Granulicatella elegans is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the family Carnobacteriaceae. This bacterium is particularly interesting due to its fastidious growth requirements, often necessitating enriched media for optimal cultivation. One of the most notable aspects of G. elegans is its association with infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart valves, which underscores its clinical significance. From a research perspective, Granulicatella elegans is valuable for studying nutritional dependencies and host-pathogen interactions. Its requirement for specific growth factors, such as pyridoxal, makes it a model organism for understanding bacterial nutrition and metabolic pathways. Additionally, its role in human disease provides insights into the mechanisms of bacterial virulence and the host immune response. Another unique feature of G. elegans is its ability to form part of the normal flora of the human oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, yet it can transition to a pathogenic state under certain conditions. This dual nature makes it an excellent subject for studying microbial ecology and the factors that influence pathogenicity. Overall, Granulicatella elegans is a microorganism of significant interest due to its complex growth requirements, clinical relevance, and the insights it offers into bacterial physiology and host interactions.*

Granulicatella elegans is a fascinating member of the genus Granulicatella, which is known for its unique characteristics and ecological significance. This organism is a facultative anaerobic bacterium that is often found in the human oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, making it a part of the normal microbiota. Its presence in these areas highlights its role in maintaining a balanced microbial community, which is crucial for oral and respiratory health. One of the most interesting aspects of Granulicatella elegans is its ability to form a symbiotic relationship with other bacteria, particularly with members of the genus Streptococcus. This interaction can enhance the survival and growth of both organisms, showcasing the complex interdependencies that exist within microbial communities. From a research perspective, Granulicatella elegans has garnered attention due to its potential involvement in various human diseases, particularly endocarditis and other infections associated with dental procedures. Its ability to adhere to heart valves and other tissues makes it a subject of interest for studies focused on bacterial pathogenesis and the mechanisms of infection. Moreover, the organism's unique metabolic capabilities, including its ability to utilize a variety of carbohydrates, make it a valuable model for studying metabolic pathways and microbial ecology. Understanding how Granulicatella elegans interacts with its environment and other microorganisms can provide insights into the dynamics of microbial communities and their impact on human health. In summary, Granulicatella elegans stands out not only for its role in the human microbiome but also for its potential implications in health and disease, making it a significant subject of study in microbiology and infectious disease research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Carnobacteriaceae

Genus: Granulicatella

Species: Granulicatella elegans

NCBI ID

137732

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/020/735/385/GCA_020735385.1_ASM2073538v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_020735385.1_ASM2073538v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Granulicatella elegans is a gram-positive bacterium that is part of the normal flora of the human mouth and upper respiratory tract. However, it is also recognized for its potential to cause infections in immunocompromised individuals and those with underlying health conditions. It has been associated with endocarditis, particularly in patients with pre-existing heart conditions, and can also lead to soft tissue infections and bacteremia. One of the notable clinical implications of Granulicatella elegans is its antimicrobial resistance. This organism has shown resistance to several commonly used antibiotics, which complicates treatment options. The presence of this bacterium in clinical specimens often necessitates the use of more potent or combination antibiotic therapies to effectively manage infections. In terms of immune evasion, Granulicatella elegans can form biofilms, which protect it from both the host immune response and antibiotic treatment. This ability to adhere to surfaces and form structured communities is a significant factor in its pathogenicity. While Granulicatella elegans is primarily known for its role in infections, it is also being studied for its potential probiotic applications, given its presence in healthy human microbiota. However, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and risks in this context. Overall, the clinical relevance of Granulicatella elegans underscores the importance of recognizing this organism in both diagnostic and therapeutic settings.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Granulicatella elegans is a bacterium commonly associated with the human oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. This microorganism thrives in environments that are rich in organic matter and are often characterized by a microaerophilic atmosphere, meaning it requires low levels of oxygen for optimal growth. It is frequently found in the biofilms that form on teeth and mucosal surfaces, where it plays a significant role in the complex microbial community of the mouth. In terms of ecological interactions, Granulicatella elegans is known to engage in symbiotic relationships with other oral bacteria. It can contribute to the formation of dental plaque, which serves as a habitat for various microorganisms. This bacterium is also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, helping to break down food particles and contributing to the overall nutrient cycling within the oral biome. Additionally, Granulicatella elegans has been implicated in certain pathogenic conditions, particularly in cases of endocarditis and other infections, highlighting its dual role as both a commensal and a potential pathogen. Its ability to adapt to different environments within the oral cavity, such as varying pH levels and nutrient availability, underscores its ecological versatility and importance in maintaining the balance of the oral microbiome.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Granulicatella elegans 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 contribute to the production of certain metabolites that are valuable in the food and beverage industry. For instance, its ability to ferment sugars can be harnessed to produce lactic acid, which is a key ingredient in food preservation and flavor enhancement. In the realm of waste management, Granulicatella elegans has been studied for its capacity to degrade organic matter, making it a candidate for biodegradation processes. This can be particularly useful in treating wastewater, where the organism can help break down complex organic pollutants, thus improving water quality and reducing environmental impact. Moreover, its enzymatic activity has implications in biofuel production. The organism can be involved in the breakdown of biomass, facilitating the conversion of lignocellulosic materials into fermentable sugars, which can then be transformed into biofuels through subsequent fermentation processes. In pharmaceutical development, Granulicatella elegans has been investigated for its potential to produce bioactive compounds that may have therapeutic effects. The study of its metabolic pathways could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics or other medicinal compounds, highlighting its importance in the pharmaceutical industry. Overall, Granulicatella elegans presents a multifaceted opportunity for various industries, particularly through its roles in fermentation, biodegradation, and enzyme production, making it a valuable microorganism in the quest for sustainable industrial practices.

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

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