Bacteroides stercoris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bacteroides stercoris | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Bacteroidota |
| Class: | Bacteroidia |
| Order: | Bacteroidales |
| Family: | Bacteroidaceae |
| Genus: | Bacteroides |
| Species: | B. stercoris |
| Binomial name | |
| Bacteroides stercoris Johnson et al., 1986 in GBIF Secretariat (2023). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy | |
Bacteroides stercoris is an anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium.[1] It is a typical component of the human microbiome, commonly found in the colon.[2] It typically forms a beneficial relationship with the host when retained in the gut. Escape from this environment can cause significant pathology in many body sites.[3] It is a member of the Bacteroides fragilis group, a group of closely related and most commonly isolated Bacteroidacaea in anaerobic infections. The group is named after Bacteroides fragilis, the most prevalent organism in the group.[4]
Bacteroides species are often isolated as anaerobic pathogens. These infections occur when the bacteria escape their normal habitat and colonise a normally sterile body area. For example, when the intestinal wall is disrupted by a surgical wound or direct trauma members of the normal gut flora can infiltrate the normally sterile peritoneal cavity. Anaerobic infections are usually polymicrobial with B. stercoris making up a small proportion of the infecting species.[5] B. stercoris has been isolated from infections of the abdomen, appendix, leg and bone.[3] Appropriate use of antimicrobial therapies can greatly improve infection prognosis.[3]
Potent virulence factors enable B. stercoris to infect individuals. Bacteroides protective capsule can prevent them being destroyed by phagocytes. Decreased production of nitric oxide in macrophages due to infection with Bacteroides can allow the bacteria to evade killing by the macrophages. Additionally, Bacteroides ability to modulate their surface polysaccharide can aid their ability to evade the host immune response.[3]