Campylobacter gracilis

General Information

Campylobacter gracilis is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the genus Campylobacter, which is well-known for its role in gastrointestinal diseases. What makes C. gracilis particularly interesting is its unique morphological characteristics and ecological niche. Unlike many of its relatives, C. gracilis is often found in the human oral cavity, specifically in periodontal pockets, making it a subject of interest in dental and periodontal research. One of the most intriguing aspects of C. gracilis is its association with periodontal disease. Studies have shown that it can be a significant contributor to the microbial communities involved in periodontitis, a severe gum infection that can lead to tooth loss and other serious health complications. This association makes C. gracilis a valuable target for research aimed at understanding the microbial dynamics of oral health and disease. Additionally, C. gracilis has a distinctive curved rod shape, which is a characteristic feature of the Campylobacter genus. This shape is not just a morphological curiosity but also plays a role in its motility and ability to colonize specific niches within the host. From a genomic perspective, C. gracilis offers insights into the genetic adaptations that enable it to thrive in the unique environment of the human mouth. Its genome contains several genes that are implicated in adhesion, colonization, and interaction with host tissues, which are critical for its role in periodontal disease. In summary, Campylobacter gracilis is a microorganism of significant interest due to its unique habitat, its role in periodontal disease, and its distinctive morphological and genetic features. These characteristics make it a valuable subject for research in microbiology, dental science, and infectious disease.

Campylobacter gracilis is a fascinating bacterium that belongs to the genus Campylobacter, which is known for its unique spiral shape and microaerophilic nature. This organism is particularly interesting due to its role in the gastrointestinal tract of various animals, where it can be part of the normal flora. However, it is also recognized for its potential pathogenicity in humans, contributing to gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroenteritis. What sets C. gracilis apart from other species in the Campylobacter genus is its ability to thrive in a variety of environmental conditions, which makes it a valuable subject for research into microbial adaptability and survival mechanisms. Underlining its significance, C. gracilis has been studied for its metabolic pathways, particularly its unique energy metabolism that allows it to utilize amino acids and organic acids as energy sources. This characteristic not only highlights its ecological versatility but also provides insights into the metabolic adaptations of bacteria in different environments. Research on C. gracilis can contribute to a better understanding of microbial ecology, especially in relation to animal health and food safety. Furthermore, the genetic makeup of C. gracilis has been a focus of genomic studies, revealing information about its evolutionary relationships within the Campylobacter genus. This genetic insight is crucial for developing strategies to combat infections caused by more pathogenic relatives, such as Campylobacter jejuni. Overall, Campylobacter gracilis serves as an important model organism for studying bacterial physiology, ecology, and evolution, making it a valuable asset in microbiological research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Campylobacterota

Class: Epsilonproteobacteria

Order: Campylobacterales

Family: Campylobacteraceae

Genus: Campylobacter

Species: Campylobacter gracilis

NCBI ID

824

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/001/190/745/GCF_001190745.1_ASM119074v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_001190745.1_ASM119074v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Campylobacter gracilis is a lesser-known member of the Campylobacter genus, which is primarily associated with gastrointestinal infections in humans. While C. gracilis is not as commonly implicated in clinical cases as its relatives, such as Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, it has been identified in some cases of gastroenteritis and is considered a potential pathogen. Clinical implications of C. gracilis include its role in foodborne illnesses, particularly through contaminated poultry and water sources. The organism is known for its microaerophilic growth requirements, which can complicate its detection in clinical laboratories. In terms of pathogenicity, C. gracilis may exhibit similar virulence factors to other Campylobacter species, including the ability to adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells, leading to inflammatory responses and diarrhea. Antimicrobial resistance is a significant concern with Campylobacter species, and while specific resistance patterns for C. gracilis are not well-documented, the genus is known for its ability to develop resistance to commonly used antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones and macrolides. This resistance can complicate treatment options for infected individuals. Furthermore, the organism's interaction with the human immune system may involve evasion strategies that allow it to persist in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially leading to chronic symptoms in some patients. Although C. gracilis has not been directly linked to any major outbreaks, its presence in clinical samples underscores the need for continued surveillance and research into its epidemiology and clinical significance. Overall, while Campylobacter gracilis is not a primary pathogen, its potential role in human health and disease warrants attention, particularly in the context of food safety and antimicrobial stewardship.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Campylobacter gracilis is primarily associated with terrestrial environments and is often found in the gastrointestinal tracts of various animals, particularly birds and mammals. This microorganism thrives in microaerophilic conditions, which means it requires a reduced level of oxygen for optimal growth. Its ecological niche is significant as it plays a role in the digestion of food within its host, contributing to nutrient absorption and overall gut health. In terms of its habitat, Campylobacter gracilis is commonly isolated from fecal matter and contaminated water sources, indicating its presence in environments where animal waste is prevalent. This organism is known to be a part of the normal flora in some animal species, showcasing its role in symbiotic relationships where it may aid in digestion while benefiting from the nutrients available in the host's gut. However, Campylobacter gracilis can also be associated with pathogenic interactions, particularly in humans, where it can lead to gastrointestinal infections. This dual role highlights its adaptability to various ecological niches, from being a benign inhabitant of the gut to a potential pathogen in contaminated food or water. Overall, the presence of Campylobacter gracilis in these biomes underscores its importance in nutrient cycling and its impact on both animal and human health, making it a significant microorganism in the study of microbial ecology.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Campylobacter gracilis has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This organism is known for its ability to thrive in microaerophilic conditions, which can be harnessed in fermentation processes to produce valuable metabolites. For instance, it can be utilized in the production of organic acids, which are important precursors in the chemical industry. In the realm of waste management, Campylobacter gracilis has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of complex organic materials. This property can be leveraged in the treatment of wastewater, where the microorganism can help in the degradation of pollutants, thus contributing to cleaner effluent discharge. Moreover, there is ongoing research into the pharmaceutical development potential of Campylobacter gracilis, particularly in the production of bioactive compounds that may have therapeutic applications. The enzymatic activity of this microorganism can be explored for the development of novel drugs or as a source of enzymes for various biotechnological processes. Overall, Campylobacter gracilis presents a promising candidate for biofuel production as well, where its metabolic pathways can be optimized for the conversion of biomass into biofuels through fermentation processes. This could contribute to sustainable energy solutions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

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: 10

LLM predicted phenotypes: 3

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/gemini-flash-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	google/gemini-pro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemma-7b-it	openchat/openchat-7b	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat
Motility	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	anaerobic	aerotolerant ✗	N/A	N/A	aerotolerant ✗	anaerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	aerotolerant ✗	aerotolerant ✗	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	TRUE	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	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 ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
Biosafety level	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 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	false	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 ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	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	N/A	gamma	alpha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	beta	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
Cell shape	spirillum	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗

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