data/rag/knowledge_base/Acinetobacter/genus.json

{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "level": "genus",
  "genus": "Acinetobacter",

  "overview": {
    "short": "Acinetobacter species are Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-fermentative coccobacilli widely distributed in the environment.",
    "clinical_context": "Clinically significant species, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, are important causes of healthcare-associated infections."
  },

  "expected_fields": {
    "Gram Stain": "Negative",
    "Shape": "Coccobacilli",
    "Motility": "Negative",
    "Capsule": "Variable",
    "Spore Formation": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis Type": "None",
    "Media Grown On": [
      "Blood Agar",
      "MacConkey Agar"
    ],
    "Colony Morphology": [
      "Smooth",
      "Opaque",
      "Grey-White"
    ],
    "Oxygen Requirement": "Aerobic",
    "Growth Temperature": "20//44",
    "Catalase": "Positive",
    "Oxidase": "Negative",
    "Indole": "Negative",
    "Urease": "Variable",
    "Citrate": "Variable",
    "Methyl Red": "Negative",
    "VP": "Negative",
    "H2S": "Negative",
    "DNase": "Variable",
    "ONPG": "Negative",
    "Coagulase": "Negative",
    "Gelatin Hydrolysis": "Variable",
    "Esculin Hydrolysis": "Negative",
    "Nitrate Reduction": "Negative",
    "NaCl Tolerant (>=6%)": "Variable",
    "Lipase Test": "Variable",
    "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": "Variable",
    "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": "None"
  },

  "field_notes": {
    "Motility": "Acinetobacter species are characteristically non-motile.",
    "Oxidase": "Oxidase negativity is a key differentiator from many other non-fermenters.",
    "Shape": "Often appear as plump coccobacilli on Gram stain."
  },

  "key_differentiators": [
    {
      "field": "Oxidase",
      "expected": "Negative",
      "distinguishes_from": ["Pseudomonas", "Burkholderia"],
      "notes": "Oxidase negativity is critical in separating Acinetobacter from most non-fermenters."
    },
    {
      "field": "Motility",
      "expected": "Negative",
      "distinguishes_from": ["Stenotrophomonas", "Alcaligenes"],
      "notes": "Non-motility supports Acinetobacter."
    },
    {
      "field": "Glucose Fermentation",
      "expected": "Negative",
      "distinguishes_from": ["Enterobacterales"],
      "notes": "Non-fermentative metabolism excludes Enterobacterales."
    }
  ],

  "common_confusions": [
    {
      "genus": "Pseudomonas",
      "reason": "Shared non-fermentative metabolism but differs by oxidase status."
    },
    {
      "genus": "Stenotrophomonas",
      "reason": "Overlapping non-fermentative profile with variable biochemical reactions."
    }
  ],

  "when_to_question_identification": [
    "Oxidase positivity argues against Acinetobacter.",
    "Motility suggests an alternative non-fermenter.",
    "Anaerobic growth is inconsistent."
  ],

  "recommended_next_tests": [
    {
      "test": "Oxidase test",
      "reason": "Primary discriminator among non-fermenters."
    },
    {
      "test": "MALDI-TOF MS",
      "reason": "Reliable genus- and species-level identification."
    },
    {
      "test": "Antimicrobial susceptibility testing",
      "reason": "Clinically important due to frequent multidrug resistance."
    }
  ],

  "supported_species": [
    "baumannii",
    "calcoaceticus",
    "lwoffii",
    "johnsonii",
    "pittii"
  ]
}