Query: NC_010519:445936 Haemophilus somnus 2336 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Histophilus somni; Histophilus; Pasteurellaceae; Pasteurellales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from the lung of a calf which had pneumonia. A group of organisms that are either obligate parasites or commensal organisms found in animal mucous membranes. Almost all species require the presence of important growth factors found in the blood of their hosts, including either X factor (protoporphyrin IX or heme) or V factor (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD or NADP)). This organism is a major cause of disease in feedlot cattle. It causes constriction of blood vessels supplying major organs, restricting blood supply which leads to reduced oxygen delivery, and leads to tissue damage and death. The diseases that result are pneumonia, arthritis, myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle), and reproductive problems resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in animals each year.
Subject: NC_008710:900586 Borrelia turicatae 91E135, complete genome
Lineage: Borrelia turicatae; Borrelia; Spirochaetaceae; Spirochaetales; Spirochaetes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated in the USA from the soft tick Ornithodoros turicatae. Borrelia turicatae is the causative agent of tick-borne relapsing fever in the southwestern USA. Ticks become infected with Borrelia while feeding on an infected mammal, usually a rodent or squirrel. Borrelia then multiplies rapidly, causing a generalized infection throughout the tick. While feeding, the tick passes the spirochete into a mammalian host through its infectious saliva. Relapsing fever is characterized by period of chills, fever, headache, and malaise, followed by an asymptomatic, followed by another episode of symptoms. The cycle of relapsing is due to changes in the surface proteins of Borrelia, which allow it to avoid detection and removal by the host immune system. This antigenic variation is the result of homologous recombination of silent proteins into an expressed locus, causing partial or complete replacement of one serotype with another. These plasmids carry genes involved in antigenic variation and pathogenicity.