Query: NC_004917:946550 Helicobacter hepaticus ATCC 51449, complete genome Lineage: Helicobacter hepaticus; Helicobacter; Helicobacteraceae; Campylobacterales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria General Information: This organism was found to be linked to an increasing incidence of liver tumors in mouse colonies at the National Cancer Institute in 1992. Normally it resides in the lower intestines, but it can cause chronic hepatitis. This organism has a similar urease gene cluster and cytolethal distending toxin as compared to Helicobacter pylori, but lacks other virulence factors such as the vacuolating cytotoxin and the cag pathogenicity island. However, it does contain a pathogenicity island that encodes proteins similar to those found in a type IV secretion system. Causes liver disease. This genus consists of organisms that colonize the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract or are found enterohepatically (in the liver). This species was associated with an increase in liver tumors. It can cause active chronic hepatitis and typhlitis (inflammation of a region at the beginning of the large intestine), hepatocellular tumors, and gastric bowel disease in various mice strains.
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General Information: This strain is one of the first vancomycin-resistant strains isolated. This isolate came from a blood culture derived from a chronically-infected patient in 1987 from Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This strain was found to lack the cytolysin gene and a surface adhesin, Esp, that contributes to urinary tract infections. Mobile genetic elements make up one quarter of the genome. This genera consists of organisms typically found in the intestines of mammals, although through fecal contamination they can appear in sewage, soil, and water. They cause a number of infections that are becoming increasingly a problem due to the number of antibiotic resistance mechanisms these organisms have picked up. Both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium cause similar diseases in humans, and are mainly distinguished by their metabolic capabilities. This opportunistic pathogen can cause urinary tract infections, bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), and infective endocarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart), similar to infections caused by Enterococcus faecium. Hospital-acquired infections from this organism are on the rise due to the emergence of antiobiotic resistance strains. Enterococcus faecalis produces a cytolysin toxin that is encoded on various mobile genetic elements, pathogenicity islands, and conjugative plasmids. The cytolysin aids in pathogenesis, possibly by causing destruction of cells such as erythrocytes, which allows access to new nutrients for the organism.