This is a genus of probiotics (good bacteria) which are known to be the first to populate the intestinal tract of infants during birth. These probiotics have been confirmed to aid human digestion as they are mostly inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract. However, strains have been isolated from the vagina and mouth of mammals including humans.
Scientific Classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Actinomycetota
Class: Actinomycetia
Order: Bifidobacteriales
Family: Bifidobacteriaceae
Genus: Bifidobacterium
Species: B.Bifidium, B.Lactis, B.Infantis etc.
GENOMES
Species and strains of the genus bifidobacterium - possess genome sizes with ranges from about 1,352 to 2,557 predicted protein-encoding open reading frames. When bifidobacterium genes were divided into functional classes, including pan-genome of this genus, it revealed that 13.7% of the identified bifidobacteria genes encode for enzyme that catalyze carbohydrate metabolism.
OPPORTUNISTIC BIFIDOBACTERIUM INFECTION
Esaiassen et al., 2017, highlighted that bifidobacterium has a potential of causing bacteremia as an opportunistic pathogen, in immunosuppressed patients or patients with compromised intestinal barrier. Although bifidobacterium is scarcely implicated in invasive infections, it has however been isolated from increasing cases of bifidobacterial blood culture carried out in Norway.
PATHOGENIC BIFIDOBACTERIUM INFECTION
Understanding what the word pathogenic means, it means they are capable of causing disease. They are capable of causing digestive problems like gas, cramps, and diarrhea. An unbalanced ecosystem can contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation of the gut lining that is linked to many diseases outside the gut.
Bifidobacterium dentium has been identified as source of anaerobic infections and it is also tracked in polluted water to trace the source of fecal contamination. Scientist has shown that it can cause tooth decay in humans.
Comparative genomics, an aspect of bioinformatics has created an opportunity to explore the genomes of many probiotic bacteria, understand specific genes that encodes certain functional features, how these genes contribute towards the nutritional and medical benefits for human.
At GENOMAC HUB, we are offering few courses that explore probiotic genomes including free bioinformatics tools, research projects, 100% guidance and much more.
Author: Awe Eniola Racheal, Yusuf Joshua Ayodele, Ojetola Taiwo Serifat
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