Query: NC_011837:2856500 Clostridium kluyveri NBRC 12016, complete genome
Lineage: Clostridium kluyveri; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: Involved in production of caproic acid in co-culture with a methanogen. Clostridium kluyveri was enriched from mud in a co-culture with Methanobacterium omelianskii. When grown on ethanol C. kluyveri produce caproic acid in addition to acetic acid. This organism is able to grow anaerobically on ethanol and acetate as sole energy sources.
Subject: NC_020207:1872000 Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354, complete genome
Lineage: Enterococcus faecium; Enterococcus; Enterococcaceae; Lactobacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: 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 causes a range of infections similar to those observed with Enterococcus faecalis, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), and infective endocarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart). Hospital-acquired infections from this organism are on the rise due to the emergence of antiobiotic resistance strains and has led to the rise of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains due to the horizontal transfer of Enterococcus antibiotic resistance genes. Little is known about the virulence mechanisms in this organism, but the genome does encode an esp gene for the surface adhesin. Vancomycin resistant isolates are more typically Enterococcus faecium than Enterococcus faecalis.