Kytococcus sedentarius explained

Kytococcus sedentarius is a marine dwelling Gram positive bacterium in the genus Kytococcus. It is known for the production of polyketide antibiotics as well as for its role as an opportunistic pathogen. It is strictly aerobic and can only grow when amino acids are provided.

It is found in tetrads, irregular clusters, and cubical packets of eight. It is catalase positive, oxidase positive, and exhibits strictly aerobic metabolism. Optimum growth temperature is 25C37C. It is primarily isolated from human skin, and is one of the major causes of pitted keratolysis.[1] [2] It was once considered a species of the genus Micrococcus.[3]

Genome

The genome has been sequenced and contains 2,785,024 bp,[4] which is among the smallest for Actinomycetes, with a G+C content of 71.6%. This encodes 2639 protein coding genes.

Pitted keratolysis

See main article: article and Pitted keratolysis. Kytococcus sedentarius may pose a risk to human health through the development of pitted keratolysis, a skin condition characterized by the formation of small pits on the feet and occasionally on the palms, accompanied by potential foul odor and discomfort.[5] This condition typically arises when the feet are exposed to prolonged periods of warmth and humidity, creating an environment suitable to the growth of K. sedentarius and other bacteria.[6] While the process is not fully known, research suggests that K. sedentarius produces proteases, namely P1 and P2, which degrade various substrates found in human skin, including azocasein, insulin β-chain, and keratin.[7] This enzymatic breakdown of keratin, a major component of the skin's horny layers,[8] results in the signature pitted appearance observed in affected areas. Studies indicate that these proteases work best within a slightly acidic pH range of 6.3–6.9,[9] which is why it is important to maintain proper foot hygiene to prevent pitted keratolysis. Additionally, these enzymatic reactions can generate sulfur compounds such as thiols, sulfides, and thioesters, contributing to the foul odor associated with the condition.[10] Treatments for pitted keratolysis typically involve antibiotics aimed at eliminating K. sedentarius and associated bacteria. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include erythromycin, mupirocin, and clindamycin. Preventive measures include keeping the feet dry and using absorbent cotton socks to minimize moisture accumulation.[11]

Infections

While Kytococcus sedentarius is typically regarded as a harmless bacteria, rare instances of infection attributable to this K. sedentarius have been documented, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. One case involves a 79-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, who was diagnosed with infectious spondylitis. Upon surgical removal and analyzation of the infected tissue, K. sedentarius was identified as the causative agent. Although how K. sedentarius could have caused the infection is uncertain, it is likely that the breakage of skin barriers during invasive procedures, such as injection therapy, may have caused the bacteria to enter.[12] Another noteworthy case involves a 66-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease due to type 2 diabetes, who developed peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis attributed to Kytococcus sedentarius. This case highlights the potential for touch contamination in infections by Kytococcus sedentarius.[13] Another case involves a 55-year-old man with leukemia who developed hemorrhagic pneumonia likely caused by K. sedentarius after getting induction chemotherapy. It was likely that the chemo caused injuries in the mucosal barrier, which allowed the bacteria to penetrate the gut and reach the lungs through the bloodstreams.[14]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Longshaw. C. M.. Wright. J. D.. Farrell. A. M.. Holland. K. T.. 2002. Kytococcus sedentarius, the organism associated with pitted keratolysis, produces two keratin-degrading enzymes. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 93. 5. 810–816. 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2002.01742.x. 1364-5072. 12392527. free.
  2. Makhecha. Meena. Dass. Shreya. Singh. Tishya. Gandhi. Riddhi. Yadav. Tulika. Rathod. Dipali. November 2017. Pitted keratolysis—a study of various clinical manifestations. International Journal of Dermatology. 56. 11. 1154–1160. 10.1111/ijd.13744. 1365-4632. 28924971. 23775733.
  3. Web site: Kytococcus sedentarius. www.vumicro.com. 2016-07-08.
  4. 21304632 . 10.4056/sigs.761 . 1 . 1 . Complete genome sequence of Kytococcus sedentarius type strain (541). . 2009 . Stand Genomic Sci . 12–20 . 3035214. Sims . David . Brettin . Thomas . Detter . John C. . Han . Cliff . Lapidus . Alla . Copeland . Alex . Del Rio . Tijana Glavina . Nolan . Matt . Chen . Feng . Lucas . Susan . Tice . Hope . Cheng . Jan-Fang . Bruce . David . Goodwin . Lynne . Pitluck . Sam . Ovchin-Nikova . Galina . Pati . Amrita . Ivanova . Natalia . Mavrommatis . Konstantinos . Chen . Amy . Palaniappan . Krishna . d'Haeseleer . Patrik . Chain . Patrick . Bristow . Jim . Eisen . Jonathan A. . Markowitz . Victor . Hugenholtz . Philip . Schneider . Susanne . Göker . Markus . Pukall . Rüdiger . 29 .
  5. Ertam, I., Aytimur, D., & Yuksel, S. E. (n.d). Isolation of Kytococcus sedentarius from a case of pitted keratolysis [Bir pitted keratolizis olgusundan Kytococcus sedentarius izolasyonu]. Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Izmir, Turkey. Retrieved from http://egetipdergisi.com.tr/en/download/article-file/350132)
  6. Lam, C. (University of Adelaide, South Australia). Mitchell, G. (Copy editor). (July 2022). Pitted keratolysis. DermNet NZ. Retrieved from https://dermnetnz.org/topics/pitted-keratolysis#
  7. Longshaw, C. M., Wright, J. D., Farrell, A. M., & Holland, K. T. (2002). Kytococcus sedentarius, the organism associated with pitted keratolysis, produces two keratin-degrading enzymes. Journal of Applied Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2002.01742.x
  8. Ertam, I., Aytimur, D., & Yuksel, S. E. (n.d). Isolation of Kytococcus sedentarius from a case of pitted keratolysis [Bir pitted keratolizis olgusundan Kytococcus sedentarius izolasyonu]. Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Izmir, Turkey. Retrieved from http://egetipdergisi.com.tr/en/download/article-file/350132)
  9. Longshaw, C. M., Wright, J. D., Farrell, A. M., & Holland, K. T. (2002). Kytococcus sedentarius, the organism associated with pitted keratolysis, produces two keratin-degrading enzymes. Journal of Applied Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2002.01742.x
  10. Ertam, I., Aytimur, D., & Yuksel, S. E. (n.d). Isolation of Kytococcus sedentarius from a case of pitted keratolysis [Bir pitted keratolizis olgusundan Kytococcus sedentarius izolasyonu]. Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Izmir, Turkey. Retrieved from http://egetipdergisi.com.tr/en/download/article-file/350132)
  11. Hsu AR, Hsu JW. Topical Review: Skin Infections in the Foot and Ankle Patient. Foot & Ankle International. 2012;33(7):612-619. doi:10.3113/FAI.2012.0612
  12. Lim KR, Son JS, Moon SY. Case Report of Infectious Spondylitis Caused by Kytococcus sedentarius. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021. 57. 8. 797 . Art. No. 797. 10.3390/medicina57080797. free. 34441003. 8400003.
  13. Chaudhary D, Finkle SN. Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis Due to Kytococcus sedentarius. Peritoneal Dialysis International. 2010. 30. 2. 252–253. 10.3747/pdi.2009.00086. 20200375.
  14. Levenga H, Donnelly P, Blijlevens N, Verweij P, Shirango H, de Pauw B. Fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia caused by infection due to Kytococcus sedentarius—a pathogen or passenger?. Annals of Hematology. 2004. 83. 7. 447–449. 10.1007/s00277-003-0831-x. 14689234.