| Description | Streptococcus infantis is a Gram-positive, spherical-shaped microbe, typically categorized as a mesophile, with a metabolism that is chemoheterotrophic, relying on organic compounds for energy, which it produces through facultative anaerobic respiration, and can be found in various body sites, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts, in humans and other species, as an obligate anaerobe that thrives in low-oxygen environments, but can also survive in environments with higher oxygen levels, albeit with reduced growth rates.
As a Gram-positive bacterium, Streptococcus infantis has a thick peptidoglycan cell wall, which provides it with a distinct purple stain under Gram staining. Its spherical shape allows it to maintain a large surface area, facilitating the uptake of nutrients and interaction with its environment.
The mesophilic temperature preference of Streptococcus infantis indicates that it grows best in moderate temperatures, typically between 20-40°C, making it well-suited to the human body's temperature range.
Its chemoheterotrophic metabolism means that it relies on external sources of organic compounds for energy, which it produces through fermentation and respiration, allowing it to thrive in a variety of environments.
The ability of Streptococcus infantis to inhabit various body sites, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts, highlights its adaptability and potential to cause infections in different parts of the body.
Streptococcus infantis plays a crucial role in the development of the human microbiome, particularly in infants, where it helps to establish a balanced gut microbiota, influencing the immune system's development and maturation. |
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