Fusobacteriota are obligately anaerobic non-sporeforming

Gram-negative Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that, unlike gram-positive bacteria, do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation. Their defining characteristic is that their cell envelope consists ...

bacilli Bacilli is a Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic Class (biology), class of bacteria that includes two orders, Bacillales and Lactobacillales, which contain several well-known pathogens such as ''Bacillus anthracis'' (the cause of anthrax). ''Bacilli'' ...

. Since the first reports in the late nineteenth century, various names have been applied to these organisms, sometimes with the same name being applied to different species. More recently, not only have there been changes to the

nomenclature Nomenclature (, ) is a system of names or terms, or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. (The theoretical field studying nomenclature is sometimes referred to as ''onymology'' or ''taxonymy'' ). The principl ...

, but also attempts to differentiate between species which are believed to be either pathogenic or commensal or both. Because of their asaccharolytic nature, and a general paucity of positive results in routine biochemical tests, laboratory identification of the Fusobacteriota has been difficult. However, the application of novel molecular biological techniques to taxonomy has established a number of new species, together with the subspeciation of ''

Fusobacterium ''Fusobacterium'' is a genus of obligate anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming bacteria belonging to Gracilicutes. Individual cells are slender, rod-shaped bacilli with pointed ends. ''Fusobacterium'' was discovered in 1900 by Courmont an ...

necrophorum'' and ''F. nucleatum'', and provided new methods for identification. The involvement of Fusobacteriota in a wide spectrum of human infections causing tissue necrosis and septicaemia has long been recognised, and, more recently, their importance in intra-amniotic infections, premature labour and tropical ulcers has been reported. Since the first reports of Fusobacteriota in the late nineteenth century, the variety of species names has led to some confusion within the genera ''

'' and '' Leptotrichia''. However, newer methods of investigation have led to a better understanding of the taxonomy, with the description of several new species of Fusobacteriota. Among the new species described are ''F. ulcerans'' from tropical ulcers, and several species from the oral cavity. Subspeciation of the important species ''F. necrophorum'' and ''F. nucleatum'' has also been possible. It is probable that the taxonomy of the Fusobacteriota may be further developed in the future. It is the sole phylum in the kingdom Fusobacteriati.

Phylogeny

The currently accepted taxonomy is based on the

List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) is an online database that maintains information on the naming and taxonomy of prokaryotes, following the taxonomy requirements and rulings of the International Code of Nomenclatu ...

(LSPN) and

National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is part of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is approved and funded by the government of the United States. The NCBI is lo ...

(NCBI).

Role in Human Disease

New evidence is emerging that this bacterium may cause or be related to human colon cancer. In 2011 investigators reported the presence of Fusobacteriota in colon cancer tissue (Genome Res 2012; 22:292) and a new multicenter study provides evidence that some cases-particularly right-sided might be caused by infection by Fusobacteriota.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1137677, from2=Q19507202, from3=Q16687795 Gut flora bacteria Bacteria phyla Kingdoms (biology) Monotypic bacteria taxa Low-importance medicine articles

Phylogeny

Role in Human Disease

See also

References