Afipia

Afipia

''Afipia felis'', the type species of the genus Afipia.

Afipia is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that belongs to the family Alcaligenaceae. The genus was first described in 1987 by Brenner et al. and is named after the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) in the United States. The type species of the genus is Afipia felis.

Taxonomy

The genus Afipia is classified under the phylum Proteobacteria, class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales, and family Alcaligenaceae. It currently contains six recognized species:

1. Afipia felis 2. Afipia broomeae 3. Afipia clevelandensis 4. Afipia birgiae 5. Afipia massiliensis 6. Afipia septicemium

Morphology and Physiology

Afipia bacteria are small, rod-shaped organisms that are typically motile due to the presence of flagella. They are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These bacteria are also oxidase-positive and catalase-positive.

Habitat and Distribution

Afipia bacteria are commonly found in aquatic environments, including freshwater and marine habitats. They have also been isolated from various animals, such as cats, dogs, and humans. Afipia felis is particularly associated with feline hosts and has been implicated in causing diseases in cats.

Pathogenicity

While some species of Afipia are considered opportunistic pathogens, their pathogenic potential is not well understood. Afipia felis has been associated with a range of clinical conditions in cats, including pneumonia, endocarditis, and lymphadenitis. However, further research is needed to fully understand the pathogenic mechanisms of Afipia bacteria.

Importance in Research

Afipia bacteria have attracted attention in research due to their unique characteristics and potential medical significance. They have been studied for their ability to survive and persist in diverse environments, including within host cells. Additionally, their interactions with the host immune system and potential role in disease development are areas of ongoing investigation.

See Also

• Alcaligenaceae
• Proteobacteria
• Betaproteobacteria