data/rag/knowledge_base/Aggregatibacter/actinomycetemcomitans.json

{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "level": "species",
  "genus": "Aggregatibacter",
  "species": "actinomycetemcomitans",

  "overview": {
    "short": "Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a fastidious Gram-negative coccobacillus associated with periodontal disease and infective endocarditis.",
    "clinical_context": "Strongly linked to aggressive periodontitis and is a recognized HACEK organism causing endocarditis."
  },

  "expected_fields": {
    "Gram Stain": "Negative",
    "Shape": "Short Rods",
    "Motility": "Negative",
    "Capsule": "Variable",
    "Spore Formation": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis Type": "None",
    "Media Grown On": [
      "Blood Agar",
      "Chocolate Agar"
    ],
    "Colony Morphology": [
      "Small",
      "Rough",
      "Star-shaped center"
    ],
    "Oxygen Requirement": "Facultative Anaerobe",
    "Growth Temperature": "35//37",
    "Catalase": "Positive",
    "Oxidase": "Negative",
    "Indole": "Negative",
    "Urease": "Negative",
    "Citrate": "Negative",
    "Methyl Red": "Negative",
    "VP": "Negative",
    "H2S": "Negative",
    "DNase": "Negative",
    "ONPG": "Negative",
    "Coagulase": "Negative",
    "Gelatin Hydrolysis": "Negative",
    "Esculin Hydrolysis": "Negative",
    "Nitrate Reduction": "Positive",
    "NaCl Tolerant (>=6%)": "Negative",
    "Lipase Test": "Negative",
    "Lysine Decarboxylase": "Negative",
    "Ornithine Decarboxylase": "Negative",
    "Ornitihine Decarboxylase": "Negative",
    "Arginine dihydrolase": "Negative",
    "Glucose Fermentation": "Positive",
    "Lactose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Sucrose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Maltose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Mannitol Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Sorbitol Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Xylose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Rhamnose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Arabinose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Raffinose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Trehalose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Inositol Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Gas Production": "Negative",
    "TSI Pattern": "Unknown",
    "Colony Pattern": "Unknown",
    "Pigment": "None",
    "Motility Type": "None"
  },

  "species_markers": [
    {
      "field": "Colony Morphology",
      "value": "Star-shaped center",
      "importance": "high",
      "notes": "Characteristic star-shaped colonies are strongly suggestive of A. actinomycetemcomitans."
    },
    {
      "field": "Catalase",
      "value": "Positive",
      "importance": "medium",
      "notes": "Helps distinguish from other Aggregatibacter species."
    }
  ],

  "common_confusions": [
    {
      "species": "Aggregatibacter aphrophilus",
      "reason": "Similar fastidious growth and biochemical profile."
    }
  ],

  "when_to_question_identification": [
    "Absence of star-shaped colony morphology.",
    "Oxidase positivity suggests another genus.",
    "Robust growth on MacConkey Agar is inconsistent."
  ],

  "recommended_next_tests": [
    {
      "test": "Extended incubation",
      "reason": "Characteristic colony morphology may take several days to develop."
    },
    {
      "test": "MALDI-TOF MS",
      "reason": "Reliable identification among HACEK organisms."
    }
  ]
}