Citrobacter rodentium is a bacterium commonly used in research studies on intestinal infections. The word 'Citrobacter' is pronounced /sɪtroʊˈbæktər/, with the stress on the second syllable. 'Rodentium' is pronounced /rəʊˈdɛntɪəm/, with the stress on the first syllable. This spelling of the bacterium's name follows standard conventions in scientific nomenclature, which aim for clarity and consistency. Understanding the IPA phonetic transcription of Citrobacter rodentium can help scientists and researchers to communicate effectively and accurately when discussing this important bacterium.
Citrobacter rodentium is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that belongs to the Citrobacter genus within the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a well-known opportunistic pathogen primarily affecting rodents, particularly mice, but also exhibiting pathogenicity in humans.
C. rodentium is characterized by its ability to cause colonic inflammation, resulting in a disease known as transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia or infectious colitis. The bacterium is typically acquired through the fecal-oral route, where it can survive in the gut and colonize the large intestine, causing localized inflammation and leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, mucus discharge, and weight loss.
In laboratory research, C. rodentium serves as an extensively studied murine model for studying enteric infections and the mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions in the gastrointestinal tract. This bacterium shares striking similarities with the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains that cause human diseases, making it a valuable tool for understanding their pathogenesis.
Identifying C. rodentium and distinguishing it from other Citrobacter species typically involves microbiological techniques such as isolation and culture, as well as molecular methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or DNA sequencing. Treatment of C. rodentium infection typically involves antibiotics that are effective against Gram-negative bacteria, although strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols is essential to prevent transmission to humans due to its zoonotic potential.
The word "Citrobacter" comes from the genus name "Citrobacter", which was established in 1932 by Werkman and Gillen to honor the scientist André Citron. André Citron was a French mutualist and colleague of Werkman, who worked on microbial flora in the intestines of humans and animals.
The word "rodentium" is derived from the Latin word "rodentia", meaning "rodents". It is added to the species name "Citrobacter" to specify that this particular strain of Citrobacter was originally isolated from a rodent (typically mice and rats). Therefore, "Citrobacter rodentium" refers to a species of Citrobacter that is found in rodents.