Query: NC_012806:818592 Mycoplasma conjunctivae, complete genome
Lineage: Mycoplasma conjunctivae; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasmataceae; Mycoplasmatales; Tenericutes; Bacteria
General Information: Mycoplasma conjunctivae causes infectious keratoconjunctivitis in domestic and wild sheep and goats. In domestic animals treatment with antibiotics is effective, however, in wild animals this disease can lead to blindness and death. The primary habitats of human and animal mycoplasmas are mucous membranes of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, eyes, mammary glands and the joints.
Subject: NC_010161:2050816 Bartonella tribocorum CIP 105476, complete genome
Lineage: Bartonella tribocorum; Bartonella; Bartonellaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was isolated from the blood of wild rats and from fleas obtained from wild rats. Transmission of these organisms is often through an insect vector. Once in a host, this intracellular pathogen is internalized by an actin-dependent mechanism, and primarily targets endothelial cells, although other cells can be infected. The proliferation of the vascular endothelium (bacillary angiomatosis) is characterisitic of Bartonella infection and results in multiplication of the bacterium's host cells. Infected macrophages are stimulated to release vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin 1 beta, both of which promote angiogenesis. Endothelial cells are also stimulated to grow and divide by direct contact with bacterial cells. In addition, programmed cell death (apoptosis) of endothelial cells is inhibited, combatting a common mechanism eukaryotic cells use to deal with bacterial infection. Other pathogenicity factors include pili and outer membrane adhesins for attachment to host cells. This organism is genetically related to Bartonella elizabethae which was isolated from a case of endocarditis in a human.