| Description | Hafnia alvei is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that thrives in a mesophilic temperature range and is classified as a chemoheterotroph. This organism is widely distributed in nature, commonly found in various body sites, including the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, as well as in environmental samples such as soil and water. H. alvei exhibits facultative anaerobic growth, allowing it to utilize both aerobic and anaerobic respiration, adapting to varying oxygen levels in its environment. The Gram-negative staining characteristic indicates that Hafnia alvei has a thin peptidoglycan layer surrounded by an outer membrane, which contains lipopolysaccharides, contributing to its resilience against certain antibiotics. The rod shape of H. alvei is typical among many enteric bacteria, playing a role in its motility and colonization ability within different environments, particularly the gut, where it can adhere to mucosal surfaces. As a chemoheterotroph, Hafnia alvei derives its energy from organic compounds, often found in food sources or the organic matter present in its surroundings. This metabolic flexibility supports its survival in diverse ecological niches. Being facultatively anaerobic enables H. alvei to thrive in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments, making it a versatile inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract, where it can outcompete other microbes. Hafnia alvei has garnered interest due to its role in food spoilage, particularly in dairy products, where it can produce off-flavors and contribute to spoilage processes. Additionally, while often regarded as a benign organism, it can be associated with opportunistic infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals, drawing attention to its clinical significance. The ability of H. alvei to adapt to varying conditions makes it a subject of study in microbiological research. |
|---|
