Citrobacter freundii is a bacterium commonly found in soil, water, and the digestive tracts of animals. Its name is derived from the genus Citrobacter and the species name freundii. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Citrobacter" is pronounced /ˌsɪtroʊˈbæktər/, while "freundii" is pronounced /ˈfrɔɪndi/. This spelling helps ensure accurate communication among scientists and medical professionals who need to distinguish this specific bacterium from others in the Citrobacter genus.
Citrobacter freundii is a species of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria belonging to the genus Citrobacter. It is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals, as well as in soil, water, and various environmental sources.
This bacterium is a facultative anaerobe, which means it can survive in both aerobic (oxygen-rich) and anaerobic (oxygen-poor) environments. Citrobacter freundii is motile, thanks to the presence of flagella, and it is capable of peritrichous flagellation, meaning the flagella are distributed all over its body.
In terms of its biochemical characteristics, Citrobacter freundii is negative in the Voges-Proskauer test and positive in the Simmons’ citrate test. It also produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and forms acid and gas from glucose fermentations, giving a positive result in the Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) test.
While Citrobacter freundii is generally considered a commensal bacterium in humans, meaning it typically lives harmlessly within the body, in certain cases it can cause infections. These infections most commonly occur in immunocompromised individuals, causing urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, wound infections, and occasionally, bloodstream infections. Additionally, Citrobacter freundii is known to play a role in antimicrobial resistance, making it important to monitor and control its spread in healthcare settings.
Overall, Citrobacter freundii is a versatile bacterium that can reside in diverse environments, but under certain circumstances, can pose health risks to susceptible individuals.
The word "Citrobacter" originates from the combination of two components: "citro" and "bacter".
- "Citro" is derived from the term "citric acid", which points to the organism's ability to utilize citric acid as a carbon source.
- "Bacter" originates from "bacterium", which refers to a microorganism belonging to the domain Bacteria.
The term "Freundii" in "Citrobacter freundii" is named after Georg Theodor August Freund, a German microbiologist who made significant contributions to the field of microbiology. Freund is known for his research on bacteria and is credited with various discoveries, including identifying different types of bacteria based on their characteristics.