Query: NC_016948:678939 Mycobacterium intracellulare MOTT-64 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Mycobacterium intracellulare; Mycobacterium; Mycobacteriaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Like other closely related Actinomycetales, such as Nocardia and Corynebacterium, Mycobacteria have unusually high genomic DNA GC content and are capable of producing mycolic acids as major components of their cell wall. Mycobacterium intracellulare is a member of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). These organisms cause tuberculosis in birds, and pulmonary and disseminated infections in immunocompromized humans. Mycobacterium intracellulare is also an important contributor to MAC-associated pulmonary infections in immunocompetent patients. Infection results in a characteristic pulmonary disease which requires expensive drug therapy for successful treatment. Mycobacterium intracellulare can also be isolated from the environment and, like other environmental organisms, is able to form and survive in biofilms.
Subject: NC_013714:1376500 Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1, complete genome
Lineage: Bifidobacterium dentium; Bifidobacterium; Bifidobacteriaceae; Bifidobacteriales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Common oral and gut bacterium. Representatives of this genus naturally colonize the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and are important for establishing and maintaining homeostasis of the intestinal ecosystem to allow for normal digestion. Their presence has been associated with beneficial health effects, such as prevention of diarrhea, amelioration of lactose intolerance, or immunomodulation. The stabilizing effect on GIT microflora is attributed to the capacity of bifidobacteria to produce bacteriocins, which are bacteriostatic agents with a broad spectrum of action, and to their pH-reducing activity. Most of the ~30 known species of bifidobacteria have been isolated from the mammalian GIT, and some from the vaginal and oral cavity. All are obligate anaerobes belonging to the Actinomycetales, branch of Gram-positive bacteria with high GC content that also includes Corynebacteria, Mycobacteria, and Streptomycetes. Bifidobacterium dentium species represents over forty strains which were isolated from human dental caries and human feces.