Bilophila wadsworthia

A detailed overview of the bacterium Bilophila wadsworthia''

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Bilophila wadsworthia
Kingdom:
Phylum:	Proteobacteria
Class:	Deltaproteobacteria
Order:	Desulfovibrionales
Family:	Desulfovibrionaceae

Bilophila wadsworthia is a species of Gram-negative bacteria that is part of the human gut microbiota. It is an anaerobic bacterium, meaning it thrives in environments devoid of oxygen. B. wadsworthia is known for its role in the human gastrointestinal tract and its potential involvement in certain diseases.

Discovery and Classification

Bilophila wadsworthia was first described in 1989 by Finegold and colleagues. It was isolated from clinical specimens, including appendicitis and peritonitis cases. The bacterium was named in honor of Dr. Wadsworth, a pioneer in anaerobic bacteriology.

Morphology and Physiology

B. wadsworthia is a small, rod-shaped bacterium that is motile due to the presence of flagella. It is a sulfate-reducing bacterium, which means it can use sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor in its metabolic processes, producing hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct. This characteristic is significant in the context of its ecological niche and potential pathogenicity.

Ecological Role

In the human gut, B. wadsworthia is part of the normal microbiota, but its abundance can be influenced by diet and other factors. Diets high in saturated fats have been shown to increase the population of B. wadsworthia, which may contribute to inflammation and disease.

Pathogenicity

While B. wadsworthia is generally considered a commensal organism, it has been implicated in various infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. It has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and appendicitis. The production of hydrogen sulfide by B. wadsworthia is thought to play a role in its pathogenic potential, as hydrogen sulfide can be toxic to epithelial cells and may contribute to inflammation.

Clinical Significance

The presence of B. wadsworthia in clinical specimens can be indicative of underlying conditions, especially in cases of intra-abdominal infections. Its detection and identification require specialized anaerobic culture techniques, as it does not grow in the presence of oxygen.

Research and Future Directions

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the role of B. wadsworthia in health and disease, particularly its interactions with the host immune system and its contribution to gut dysbiosis. There is also interest in exploring how dietary interventions might modulate its abundance and activity in the gut.

Also see

• Gut microbiota
• Anaerobic bacteria
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Sulfate-reducing bacteria