Microbe Identification
Microbe nameClostridium botulinum F str. 230613
NCBI Taxonomy ID758678
DescriptionClostridium cadvareris is a thermophilic, anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that thrives in a wide range of temperatures, typically between 37°C and 65°C, making it a member of the temperature preference category of thermophiles. As a chemoheterotroph, this microbe obtains its energy by breaking down organic compounds, utilizing the energy released from these breakdowns to produce ATP. This process takes place in the presence of oxygen, as C. cadvareris is an aerotolerant anaerobe, meaning it can survive in the presence of oxygen but does not require it for growth. In terms of its metabolism, C. cadvareris undergoes fermentation, a process in which it converts glucose to pyruvate and then to lactate, generating ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation. The Gram stain of C. cadvareris is positive, indicating the presence of a thick peptidoglycan layer in its cell wall. The rod-shaped morphology of this microbe allows it to effectively interact with its environment and colonize diverse niches. C. cadvareris has been found in various body sites across all human species, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts, as well as on the skin and in the oral cavity. Despite its ability to thrive in oxygen-rich environments, C. cadvareris is an obligate anaerobe, meaning it requires low oxygen concentrations to grow and reproduce. Notably, C. cadvareris has been linked to various diseases, including septicemia, bacteremia, and wound infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The microbe's ability to produce toxins, such as exotoxins and enterotoxins, contributes to its pathogenicity. Furthermore, its anaerobic metabolism allows it to survive in areas of the body where oxygen levels are low, making it a formidable opportunistic pathogen. C. cadvareris's unique characteristics have also garnered attention in the context of biotechnology, where it has been explored as a potential source of bioactive compounds, such as antibiotics and enzymes.
Microbe Taxonomy
SuperkingdomBacteria
KingdomEubacteria
PhylumFirmicutes
ClassClostridia
OrderClostridiales
FamilyClostridiaceae
GenusClostridium
Species botulinum
Microbe Properties
Gram staining propertiesPositive
ShapeBacilli
MobilityYes
Flagellar presenceYes
Number of membranes1
Oxygen preferenceAnaerobe
Optimal temperature37
Temperature rangeMesophilic
HabitatMultiple
Biotic relationshipFree living
Cell arrangementPairs - Singles - Chains
SporulationPairs - Singles - Chains
MetabolismSaccharolytic, fermentative
Energy sourceChemoorganotroph
Host and Biospecimens
HostBody siteBiospecimenDetailsData SourceReference
HumanGutFecesUnknownVMH30371894