My Question: Can I directly say that this soil bacterium is human pathogen? OR This bacterium holds potential for being human pathogen?
P.S: The bacterium was isolated from grassland soil to study their role in nitrogen cycle , more specifically, respiratory ammonifcation /Dissimilatory nitrate reduction/ denitrification.
Regards,
Timsy
The pathogenicity island must be found in the organism coupled with clear cut demonstrations of the various virulence factors of the bacterium.
Hi,
Since it shows simililarity to P. alcaligenes, so more likely holds a potential for bioremediation purposes. Pseudomonases in soil are more decomposer than a pathogen.Of course underlying in P. aeruginosa lineage, it can also holds potential for being human pathogen.
I don't think you can or should make any assumptions about it being a human pathogen. First of all, even if it has a pathogenicity island you wouldn't know whether the target organism was human or any other animal or even insects. You probably need more sequence comparison beyond just 16s and rpoD to make any sort of determination based on the presence or absence of certain genes and not so much on the degree of similarity to genes from type organisms.
I agree with Michael J. Benedik's comments. Sometimes, bacteria can pick up host genes from environment through horizontal gene transfer. This does not make them an human pathogen. It is a natural process of gene recombination. To understand the source, I would think that where and when you isolate the pathogen count as well.
As aeruginosa - potential pathogen but please address context.
In drug and cosmetic context, P. aeruginosa would be a potential pathogen. Lysol recently recalled its Pine Sol cleaner based on health risk due to P. aeruginosa contamination. However, this microorganism can be found in tap/potable water and that's a primary sources for nosocomial infections.. All these would be considered environmental isolates.
In the context is lab work - I've not seen it specifically broken out per BSL level. BSL-2 would be most appropriate but risk is more relevant to 1.
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