data/rag/knowledge_base/Comamonas/kerstersii.json

{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "level": "species",
  "genus": "Comamonas",
  "species": "kerstersii",

  "overview": {
    "short": "Comamonas kerstersii is a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-fermentative rod increasingly recognized as a human pathogen.",
    "clinical_context": "Most commonly associated with intra-abdominal infections, appendicitis, and bacteremia, often in previously healthy individuals."
  },

  "expected_fields": {
    "Gram Stain": "Negative",
    "Shape": "Rods",
    "Motility": "Positive",
    "Capsule": "Negative",
    "Spore Formation": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis Type": "None",
    "Media Grown On": [
      "Blood Agar",
      "Nutrient Agar"
    ],
    "Colony Morphology": [
      "Smooth",
      "Grey",
      "Non-pigmented"
    ],
    "Oxygen Requirement": "Aerobic",
    "Growth Temperature": "20//42",
    "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": "Negative",
    "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": "Unknown",
    "Colony Pattern": "Unknown",
    "Pigment": "None",
    "Motility Type": "Polar"
  },

  "species_markers": [
    {
      "field": "Citrate",
      "value": "Negative",
      "importance": "high",
      "notes": "Helps distinguish C. kerstersii from C. testosteroni."
    },
    {
      "field": "Nitrate Reduction",
      "value": "Negative",
      "importance": "high",
      "notes": "Most clinical isolates are nitrate-negative."
    },
    {
      "field": "Clinical Context",
      "value": "Intra-abdominal infection",
      "importance": "medium",
      "notes": "Frequently linked to appendicitis-related infections."
    }
  ],

  "common_confusions": [
    {
      "species": "Comamonas testosteroni",
      "reason": "Closely related species with overlapping biochemical profiles."
    },
    {
      "genus": "Alcaligenes",
      "reason": "Similar oxidase-positive, non-fermentative phenotype."
    }
  ],

  "when_to_question_identification": [
    "Citrate positivity suggests Comamonas testosteroni.",
    "Nitrate reduction argues against C. kerstersii.",
    "Environmental-only isolation without clinical correlation may suggest contamination."
  ],

  "recommended_next_tests": [
    {
      "test": "Citrate utilization",
      "reason": "Key discriminator between Comamonas species.",
      "api_kit": "API 20NE"
    },
    {
      "test": "MALDI-TOF MS",
      "reason": "Reliable identification at species level.",
      "api_kit": "Not applicable"
    },
    {
      "test": "Molecular identification",
      "reason": "Useful for confirmation in rare or invasive infections.",
      "api_kit": "Not applicable"
    }
  ]
}