Query: NC_009092:179226 Shewanella loihica PV-4, complete genome
Lineage: Shewanella loihica; Shewanella; Shewanellaceae; Alteromonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is an environmental isolate from the Naha Vents, Hawaii, in the Pacific Ocean. Psychrotolerant bacterium. This genus includes species that inhabit a wide range of environments and are capable of utilizing a wide variety of electron acceptors during anaerobic respiration including some insoluble metal oxides while using very few carbon sources such as lactate or acetate. This group of organisms have been studied extensively for their electron transport systems. Shewanella loihica is a psychrotolerant deep sea bacterium. This organism is able to reduce iron, manganese and uranium and may be useful for bioremediation at low temperatures.
Subject: NC_004668:3156247 Enterococcus faecalis V583, complete genome
Lineage: Enterococcus faecalis; Enterococcus; Enterococcaceae; Lactobacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
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.