Query: NC_004603:3080614 Vibrio parahaemolyticus RIMD 2210633 chromosome I, complete
Lineage: Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Vibrio; Vibrionaceae; Vibrionales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This is a clinical strain isolated in 1996 in Osaka, Japan. It contains a type III secretion system which may enable colonization and penetration of the host intestinal epithelial layer, and possibly lead to septicemia. The genome contains multipe chromosomal rearrangements as compared to Vibrio cholerae. The organism also produces a hemolysin (thermostable direct hemolysin - TDH) that is particular to Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This genus is abundant in marine or freshwater environments such as estuaries, brackish ponds, or coastal areas; regions that provide an important reservoir for the organism in between outbreaks of the disease. Vibrio can affect shellfish, finfish, and other marine animals and a number of species are pathogenic for humans. This species causes food poisoning (gastroenteritis) in countries that have elevated levels of seafood consumption such as Japan.
Subject: NC_003103:164972 Rickettsia conorii str. Malish 7, complete genome
Lineage: Rickettsia conorii; Rickettsia; Rickettsiaceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from a human in South Africa. Causative agent for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This genus, like other Rickettsial organisms such as Neorickettsia and Anaplasma, is composed of obligate intracellular pathogens. The latter is composed of two organisms, Rickettsia prowazekii and Rickettsia typhi. The bacteria are transmitted via an insect, usually a tick, to a host organism, in this case humans, where they target endothelial cells and sometimes macrophages. They attach via an adhesin, rickettsial outer membrane protein A, and are internalized where they persist as cytoplasmically free organisms. Transovarial transmission (from mother to offspring) occurs in the invertebrate host. This organism causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever which can cause severe damage to the endothelial layer of major organs, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, and skeletal muscle which can result in death.