Globular proteins

Globicatella sulfidifaciens is a Gram-positive, catalase-negative, anaerobic bacterium from the genus of Globicatella which has been isolated from human clinical specimens. It is a rare pathogen, but has been associated with bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis.

Taxonomy

The bacterium belongs to the genus Globicatella, which is part of the family Streptococcaceae in the order Lactobacillales. The genus Globicatella contains two species: Globicatella sulfidifaciens and Globicatella sanguinis. G. sulfidifaciens was first described in 1995 and is differentiated from G. sanguinis by its ability to produce hydrogen sulfide.

Characteristics

Globicatella sulfidifaciens is a Gram-positive bacterium, meaning it retains the violet stain used in the Gram stain procedure. It is catalase-negative, indicating that it does not produce the enzyme catalase. The bacterium is also anaerobic, meaning it does not require oxygen to grow.

Pathogenicity

While G. sulfidifaciens is a rare pathogen, it has been associated with several serious infections in humans. These include bacteremia, a condition where bacteria are present in the blood; endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart; and meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Treatment

Treatment of infections caused by G. sulfidifaciens typically involves antibiotics. However, the bacterium has been found to be resistant to some antibiotics, including penicillin and cephalosporins. Therefore, the choice of antibiotic should be guided by antibiotic susceptibility testing.

See also

• List of bacterial genera named after mythological figures
• List of clinically important bacteria