Query: NC_012781:302387 Eubacterium rectale ATCC 33656, complete genome
Lineage: Eubacterium rectale; Eubacterium; Eubacteriaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: Eubacterium rectale ATCC 33656 was isolated from human feces. This genus has been isolated as normal flora from feces, rumen, and periodontal tissue. Eubacterium spp. are thought to play a beneficial role in maintaining the normal ecology of the large intestine, in part by producing chemicals like butyric acid which act to inhibit the growth of other bacteria. These organisms are occasionally isolated from wounds and abscesses and may be an opportunistic pathogen. This genus has also been isolated from sewage and soil.
Subject: NC_004557:558500 Clostridium tetani E88, complete genome
Lineage: Clostridium tetani; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is a virulent nonsporulating variant of strain Massachusetts used in vaccine production. Causes tetanus. This genus comprises about 150 metabolically diverse species of anaerobes that are ubiquitous in virtually all anoxic habitats where organic compounds are present, including soils, aquatic sediments and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. This shape is attributed to the presence of endospores that develop under conditions unfavorable for vegetative growth and distend single cells terminally or sub-terminally. Spores germinate under conditions favorable for vegetative growth, such as anaerobiosis and presence of organic substrates. It is believed that present day Mollicutes (Eubacteria) have evolved regressively (i.e., by genome reduction) from gram-positive clostridia-like ancestors with a low GC content in DNA. Known opportunistic toxin-producing pathogens in animals and humans. Some species are capable of producing organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, etc,), molecular hydrogen and other useful compounds. This organism causes tetanus (lockjaw) in humans. At the tissue level, the bacterium then releases an exotoxin called tetanospasmin that causes certain nervous system irregularities by means of retrograde tramsmission through neurons to the brain. If nervous impulses cannot be checked by normal inhibitory mechanisms, it produces the generalized muscular spasms characteristic of tetanus.