| Description | Enterococcus gallinarum is a mesophilic, facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive, coccus-shaped bacterium that thrives in temperatures ranging from 20°C to 45°C. It is a chemoheterotroph, obtaining its energy by breaking down organic compounds in the environment, rather than producing its own food like autotrophs. Enterococcus gallinarum uses fermentation as its primary energy production method, converting glucose into lactic acid. In terms of its Gram stain, E. gallinarum is a positive bacterium, meaning that it retains the Gram stain dye, indicating the presence of a thick peptidoglycan layer in its cell wall. Its coccus shape is spherical or oval in shape, ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.5 μm in diameter. Enterococcus gallinarum can be found on various body sites, including the human gut, skin, and respiratory tract. It is also found in animals, water, and soil. Its oxygen preference is facultative anaerobic, meaning it can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen, but prefers aerobic conditions. One of the most significant characteristics of E. gallinarum is its ability to produce a thick, gelatinous layer, known as a slime layer, on its surface. This layer helps protect the bacterium from harsh environmental conditions and antibiotics. Additionally, E. gallinarum is one of the most vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species, making it challenging to treat infections caused by this microbe. Did you know that E. gallinarum is a significant component of the human gut microbiome, playing a crucial role in maintaining gut health and influencing the immune system? Its ability to adhere to epithelial cells and produce biologically active compounds also makes it a potential target for the development of probiotics and therapeutic agents. |
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