Moraxella osloensis is a mutualistic symbiont of the slug-parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.[1] In nature, Phasmarhabditis hermaphroditavectorsM. osloensis into the shell cavity of the slug host in which the bacteria multiply and kill the slug.[1]
Lifecycle
This bacterium has been identified as one of the natural symbionts of a bacteria-feeding nematode, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae), which is an endoparasite of slugs, including the slug Deroceras reticulatum[1] (grey garden slug) which is one of the most serious agricultural and garden slug pests.[2]
In nature, bacteria colonize the gut of nematode-infective juveniles which represent a specialized stage of development adapted for survival in the unfavorable environment.[1] The infective juveniles seek out and enter the slug's shell cavity through the posterior mantle region.[1] Once inside the shell cavity, the bacteria are released, and the infective juveniles resume growth, feeding on the multiplying bacteria.[1] The infected slugs die in 4–10 days, and the nematodes colonize the entire carcass and produce next-generation infective juveniles, which leave the carcass to seek a new host.[1] The bacteria are responsible for killing the slugs; nematodes without bacteria do not cause death.[2]
The lethality of these nematodes to slugs has been shown to correlate with the number of M. osloensis cells carried by infective juveniles.[1] Tan and Grewal (2001)[2] demonstrated that the 72-hour-old M. osloensis cultures inoculated into the shell cavity were highly pathogenic to the slug.[1] They further reported that M. osloensis produced an endotoxin which was identified to be a rough type lipopolysaccharide with a molecular weight of 5300 KD, and the purified lipopolysaccharide was toxic to the slug with an estimated 50% lethal dose of 48 μg when injected into the shell cavity.[1]
Infections of humans
Although M. osloensis rarely infects humans, it can sometimes be found in a variety of tissues, where it sometimes causes disease.[4][5]Antibiotics[which?] are usually effective against such infections.[5]
Odor
Moraxella osloensis has been found to be responsible for locker-room smell or shower-curtain odor.[6]
Classification
The species M. osloensis was proposed in 1967; the bacteria which are now considered to be M. osloensis would previously have been considered to be Moraxella nonliquefaciens or Mima polymorpha (var.) oxidans.[5]
Feigin RD, San Joaquin V, Middelkamp JN (1969). "Septic arthritis due to Moraxella osloensis". The Journal of Pediatrics. 75 (1): 116–7. doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(69)80109-5. PMID5790392.
