Campylobacter hominis ATCC BAA-381

Campylobacter hominis ATCC BAA-381 is a microbe that thrives in a mesophilic temperature range, specifically between 25°C and 37°C, placing it in the temperature preference category of "mesophilic". This microbe is a heterotroph, meaning it does not produce its own food, but rather obtains energy from the breakdown of organic compounds. C. hominis is also a chemoheterotroph, as it uses chemical energy from the oxidation of organic compounds to produce ATP. Gram-stained samples of C. hominis reveal a gram-negative staining pattern, indicating the presence of a thin peptidoglycan layer in the cell wall. The microbe's shape is typically spiral or comma-like, with a helical body and a flagellated phenotype. C. hominis can be found in various body sites, including the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and genitourinary tract, across all species. This microbe is an obligate aerobe, requiring the presence of oxygen for survival and growth. In terms of energy production, C. hominis is capable of using the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, also known as glycolysis, to produce ATP from glucose. This is in contrast to many other microbes that use different metabolic pathways, such as the pentose phosphate pathway or the citric acid cycle. One of the most distinctive features of C. hominis is its unique ability to infect humans, often causing gastrointestinal disease, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Additionally, its ability to colonize various body sites, including the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, has significant implications for human health and disease. Despite being a relatively well-studied species, C. hominis remains a significant public health concern, and continued research is necessary to better understand its behavior and pathogenic potential.