What is the Difference Between Streptomyces and Streptococcus

The key difference between Streptomyces and Streptococcus is that Streptomyces is a genus of gram-positive filamentous bacteria, while Streptococcus is a genus of gram-positive coccus or spherical bacteria.

Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that can cause diseases. Most species of bacteria are harmless and beneficial. However, some bacteria can cause infectious diseases. The pathogenic bacteria species that can cause human infections are estimated to be fewer in number. Pathogenic bacteria are specially adapted and endowed mechanisms that can overcome the body’s innate and adaptive immune defenses. These bacteria, therefore, can invade different parts of the body, including blood, lymphatic system, skin, mucus, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and brain. Streptomyces and Streptococcus are two genera of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections in humans.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Streptomyces 
3. What is Streptococcus
4. Similarities – Streptomyces and Streptococcus
5. Streptomyces vs Streptococcus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Streptomyces vs Streptococcus

What is Streptomyces?

Streptomyces is a genus of gram-positive filamentous bacteria. They are aerobic bacteria. Over 500 species of Streptomyces bacteria have been already identified. Streptomyces species produce well-developed vegetative hyphae 05-2 µm in diameter with branches. They form a complex substrate mycelium that aids in scavenging organic compounds. Though the mycelia and aerial hyphae that arise from these bacteria are motile, mobility is achieved through the dispersion of spores. The surfaces of spores are hairy, smooth, rugose, spiny, or warty.

Figure 01: Streptomyces

The genome of Streptomyces contains high G-C content. The complete genome of the strain Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was published in 2002.  The chromosome of this strain is 8,667507bp long with a GC content of 72.1%. The genome of this strain is predicted to contain 7,825 protein-encoding genes. The species of this genus are predominantly found in the soil and decaying vegetation. Moreover, they are noted for their distinct earthy odor, which is a result of the production of a volatile metabolite called geosmin. Furthermore, these bacterial species produce over two-thirds of clinically important antibiotics that include neomycin, cypemycin, grisemycin, bottromycins, and chloramphenicol. Streptomyces species are infrequent pathogens. They cause infections such as mycetoma and actinomycosis (S. somaliensis and S. sudanensis) in humans. Some species in this genus are plant pathogens such as S. turgidiscabies (scab disease in potatoes) and S. ipomoeae (soft rot disease in sweet potatoes).

What is Streptococcus?

Streptococcus is a genus of gram-positive cocci or spherical bacteria. The cell division in Streptococcus species occurs along a single axis. As they grow, they tend to form pairs or chains that may appear bent or twisted. These bacterial species are different from Staphylococci, which divide along multiple axis, thereby generating irregular clusters of cells. Most Streptococcus species are catalase-negative and oxidative negative. Streptococcus species are facultative anaerobes.

Figure 02: Streptococcus

Over 50 species have been recognized in this genus currently. Moreover, this genus has been found to be a part of the salivary microbiome. Most streptococcus genomes range from 1.8 to 2.3 Mb in size. These genomes encode 1700 to 2300 proteins. Furthermore, Streptococcus species cause different diseases such as S. pyogenes (pharyngitis, cellulitis, erysipelas), S. agalactiae (neonatal meningitis and sepsis), S. gallolyticus (endocarditis, urinary tract infection), S. anginosus (respiratory infections), S. mutans (dental carries), S. pneumonia (pneumonia).

What are the Similarities Between Streptomyces and Streptococcus?

• Streptomyces and Streptococcus are two genera of pathogenic bacteria.
• The bacterial species in both genera are gram-positive.
• They cause infections in humans.
• The bacterial species in both genera have virulent factors.
• The diseases caused by bacterial species of these genera can be controlled by selective antibiotics.

What is the Difference Between Streptomyces and Streptococcus?

Streptomyces is a genus of gram-positive filamentous bacteria, while Streptococcus is a genus of gram-positive coccus or spherical bacteria. Thus, this is the key difference between Streptomyces and Streptococcus. Moreover, over 500 species have been recognized in the Streptomyces genus. On the other hand, over 50 species have been recognized in the Streptococcus genus.

The below infographic presents the differences between Streptomyces and Streptococcus in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Streptomyces vs Streptococcus

Streptomyces and Streptococcus are two genera of pathogenic bacteria that cause human infections. Streptomyces is a genus of gram-positive filamentous bacteria, while Streptococcus is a genus of gram-positive coccus or spherical bacteria. So, this summarizes the difference between Streptomyces and Streptococcus.

Reference:

1. “Streptomyces.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Streptococcus.” Streptococcus – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Streptomyces griseus color enhanced scanning electron micrograph” By Docwarhol – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Streptococcus gordonii invading host cells” By ZEISS Microscopy (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr

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