Pseudomonadota
Pseudomonadota: Microbes with Diverse Roles in Nature and Disease
Description
Pseudomonadota is a large and diverse phylum of bacteria belonging to the domain Bacteria. They are rod-shaped or spiral-shaped microorganisms that are ubiquitous in nature, found in various environments such as soil, water, and even the human gut. Pseudomonadota play crucial roles in biogeochemical cycles and are involved in both beneficial and harmful interactions with other organisms.
Associated Diseases
While many Pseudomonadota are harmless or even beneficial, some species can cause infections in humans. These include:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A common opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections in the lungs, skin, and bloodstream, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Burkholderia cepacia complex: A group of species that can cause respiratory infections in people with cystic fibrosis.
- Legionella pneumophila: The causative agent of Legionnaires‘ disease, a type of pneumonia acquired from contaminated water systems.
Did you Know ?
Pseudomonadota is one of the most genomically diverse bacterial phyla, with over 20,000 sequenced genomes available in databases. This diversity allows them to adapt to a wide range of ecological niches and interact with diverse hosts.
