Type-species-anchored current-circumscription Methylobacterium short plump rods, shown as nine bodies in six single groupings and one restrained three-body rosette. This scientific reconstruction is representative, non-universal, non-diagnostic, and not a micrograph.
Scientific media record1 verified identifier
- Subject
- Methylobacteriumtaxon · genus
- Identifiers
- NCBITaxon:407
- Review
- Editorial review completeIdentifiers authority-verified · Accessibility validated · · methylobacterium|methylobacterium-morphology-v1.webp
- Digital source
- Trained-algorithmic mediaCreated with a trained generative algorithm and reviewed by WikiBiome for subject identity, scientific framing, identifiers, provenance, and accessibility.
- Scientific basis
- Methylobacterium — NCBI TaxonomyMethylobacterium — LPSNMethylobacterium organophilum original descriptionMethylobacterium organophilum type strainModern Methylobacterium genus treatment
- License
- CC BY-SA 4.0Created
Methylobacterium is a genus of methylotrophic alpha-Proteobacteria (phylum Pseudomonadota) predominantly found in soil, water, plant surfaces, and air environments. It is a methylotroph—capable of using one-carbon compounds such as methanol as a carbon and energy source.
Methylobacterium species are not classical gut commensals; their presence in the human gut typically signals environmental or nosocomial colonization rather than a host-adapted microbiome.
Evidence map2 cited passagesInspect provenance +
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): Methylobacterium was significantly enriched in preterm surgical NEC infants at the time of NEC diagnosis (LDA score significant). It positively correlated with CRP (a systemic inflammation marker) and negatively with platelet count, suggesting an association with the systemic inflammatory response at NEC onset (prospective ca
(Lin 2023, Frontiers in Pediatrics): First study to document Methylobacterium enrichment at NEC onset with CRP correlation in surgical NEC infants
Overview#
The genus is widespread in nature but rare in the healthy human gut microbiome. Its detection in neonatal gut samples, particularly in NICU settings, reflects environmental contamination—via NICU surfaces, medical equipment, water systems, or caregiving contact.
Conditions Associated#
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): Methylobacterium was significantly enriched in preterm surgical NEC infants at the time of NEC diagnosis (LDA score significant).
It positively correlated with CRP (a systemic inflammation marker) and negatively with platelet count, suggesting an association with the systemic inflammatory response at NEC onset[1]Lin 2023 — Gut microbiota alteration after surgery in preterm NEC infantsHuijia Lin, Cuifang Xu, Junjin Chen et al. · 2023Open reference 1 ↓ (prospective case-control, n=28).
The mechanism of this association is not established. Methylobacterium may.
Colonize the preterm gut opportunistically via NICU environmental sources. Contribute to systemic inflammation through LPS production (as a Gram-negative organism). Serve as a marker of disrupted colonization resistance—its presence indicating that the normal host barriers to environmental organisms have failed.
Ecological Role#
In dysbiotic NICU infant gut, Methylobacterium's detection signals environmental organism acquisition rather than any host-adapted ecological function. It has no known beneficial role in the gut microbiome. Its presence in neonatal stool is a potential indicator of NICU environmental hygiene quality and the breakdown of colonization resistance.
Key Studies#
- [1]Lin 2023 — Gut microbiota alteration after surgery in preterm NEC infantsHuijia Lin, Cuifang Xu, Junjin Chen et al. · 2023Open reference 1 ↓ (Lin 2023, Frontiers in Pediatrics): First study to document Methylobacterium enrichment at NEC onset with CRP correlation in surgical NEC infants
Cross-References#
- Necrotizing Enterocolitis—condition where Methylobacterium enrichment at onset has been documented
References 1
Numbered by first appearance in the article, then reconciled with its declared source list.
- 1
Huijia Lin, Cuifang Xu, Junjin Chen et al. (2023). Lin 2023 — Gut microbiota alteration after surgery in preterm NEC infants. Frontiers in Pediatrics.
Article network
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- published revision
update entities: NEC + new methylobacterium stub
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