Genus of bacteria
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Christensenella is a genus of non-spore-forming, anaerobic, and nonmotile bacteria from the family Christensenellaceae. "They are also part of the order Clostridiales, the class Clostridia and the phylum Firmicutes". Phylogenetic analyzes of 16S rRNA gene sequences are used to describe this family. Due to the recent discovery of the Christensenellaceae family, it was not given importance until a few years ago. This is why very little is known about its ecology and how it may be associated with host factors and other microbiota. However, recent studies establish that members of this family, with exceptions, may be associated with a healthy phenotype for humans. The species "C. minuta" has been published and validated, and "C. timonensis" and "C. massiliensis" have been proposed as novel species of the genus "Christensenella", all isolated from human feces.
Characteristics (health-related group).
Some of the most relevant features are:
"Christensenella minuta".
"C. minuta" was the first species described in the new family Christensenellaceae in 2012 by Morotomi et al. According to research performed on healthy volunteers in 2014, the bacterium was identified as the most heritable gut microbe in humans, in which its presence is mainly determined by genetic background. "C. minuta" seems to play a major role in the development of a healthy gut microbiome coexisting with other important microbes, and missing in many chronically ill patients.
"C. minuta" in the gut has been associated with reduction in body weight and adiposity of mice. In a test on 977 volunteers, humans with higher levels of "Christensenella" in their guts were found to be more likely to have a lower body mass index than those with low levels. "Christensenella" are better represented in persons who are metabolically healthy. However, there is a link to possible pathogenic qualities of "C. minuta" in humans. An 18-year-old male presented with symptoms of appendicitis. Lab work revealed "C. minuta" was found in his bloodstream. Upon removal of the appendix, his symptoms and blood levels of "C. minuta" disappeared.
References.
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