data/rag/knowledge_base/Campylobacter/fetus.json

{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "level": "species",
  "genus": "Campylobacter",
  "species": "fetus",

  "overview": {
    "short": "Campylobacter fetus is a non-thermophilic Campylobacter species associated with invasive infections.",
    "clinical_context": "Causes bacteremia, meningitis, and pregnancy-related infections rather than gastroenteritis."
  },

  "expected_fields": {
    "Gram Stain": "Negative",
    "Shape": "Spiral",
    "Motility": "Positive",
    "Capsule": "Positive",
    "Spore Formation": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis Type": "None",
    "Media Grown On": [
      "Blood Agar"
    ],
    "Colony Morphology": [
      "Small",
      "Grey",
      "Smooth"
    ],
    "Oxygen Requirement": "Microaerophilic",
    "Growth Temperature": "25//37",
    "Catalase": "Positive",
    "Oxidase": "Positive",
    "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": "Negative",
    "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": "K/K",
    "Colony Pattern": "Unknown",
    "Pigment": "None",
    "Motility Type": "Polar"
  },

  "species_markers": [
    {
      "field": "Growth Temperature",
      "value": "25//37",
      "importance": "high",
      "notes": "Lack of growth at 42 °C distinguishes C. fetus."
    },
    {
      "field": "Capsule",
      "value": "Positive",
      "importance": "medium",
      "notes": "Surface layer protein contributes to invasiveness."
    }
  ],

  "common_confusions": [
    {
      "species": "Campylobacter jejuni",
      "reason": "Similar morphology but different temperature tolerance."
    }
  ],

  "when_to_question_identification": [
    "Robust growth at 42 °C argues against C. fetus.",
    "Absence of invasive disease context weakens identification."
  ],

  "recommended_next_tests": [
    {
      "test": "Growth temperature testing",
      "reason": "Separates thermophilic from non-thermophilic Campylobacter."
    },
    {
      "test": "MALDI-TOF MS",
      "reason": "Accurate species identification."
    }
  ]
}