Query: NC_011852:211314 Haemophilus parasuis SH0165, complete genome
Lineage: Haemophilus parasuis; Haemophilus; Pasteurellaceae; Pasteurellales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism is the causative agent of Glasser's disease in swine but is usually found as a commensal organism in the upper respiratory tract. Glasser's disease is responsible for significant losses in swine husbandry. The disease was first noted in 1910 by Glasser and the organism requires factor V (NAD - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) growth factor, like H. suis, but not factor X (iron porphyrin) which H. suis requires. Pathogenicity and virulence are often strain specific. Symptoms include fibrinous polyserositis (fibrous inflammation of serous membranes, polyarthritis (inflammation of multiple joints) and meningitis (inflammation of meninges)and pneumonia.
Subject: NC_012560:4311906 Azotobacter vinelandii DJ, complete genome
Lineage: Azotobacter vinelandii; Azotobacter; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was first isolated from the soil in Vineland, New Jersey, although it is found worldwide. It is a large obligate aerobe that has one of the highest respiratory rates of any organism. Azotobacter vinelandii also produces a number of unusual nitrogenases which allow it to fix atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, a compound it can then use as a nitrogen source. It protects the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase enzymes through its high respiratory rate, which sequesters the nitrogenase complexes in an anoxic environment. This organism has a number of unusual characteristics. Under extreme environmental conditions, the cell will produce a cyst that is resistant to dessication and is surrounded by two capsular polysaccharide layers. This organism produces two industrially important polysaccharides, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and alginate. PHB is a thermoplastic biopolymer, and alginate is used in the food industry. Alginate is also used by the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.