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4.2: Proteobacteria

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  • Skills to Develop

    • Describe the unique features of each class within the phylum Proteobacteria: Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Epsilonproteobacteria
    • Give an example of a bacterium in each class of Proteobacteria

    In 1987, the American microbiologist Carl Woese (1928–2012) suggested that a large and diverse group of bacteria that he called “purple bacteria and their relatives” should be defined as a separate phylum within the domain Bacteria based on the similarity of the nucleotide sequences in their genome.1 This phylum of gram-negative bacteria subsequently received the name Proteobacteria. It includes many bacteria that are part of the normal human microbiota as well as many pathogens. The Proteobacteria are further divided into five classes: Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Epsilonproteobacteria.


    The first class of Proteobacteria is the Alphaproteobacteria. The unifying characteristic of this class is that they are oligotrophs, organisms capable of living in low-nutrient environments such as deep oceanic sediments, glacial ice, or deep undersurface soil.

    Among the Alphaproteobacteria are two taxa, chlamydias and rickettsias, that are obligate intracellular pathogens, meaning that part of their life cycle must occur inside other cells called host cells. When not growing inside a host cell, Chlamydia and Rickettsia are metabolically inactive outside of the host cell. They cannot synthesize their own adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and, therefore, rely on cells for their energy needs.

    Rickettsia spp. include a number of serious human pathogens. For example, R. rickettsii causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a life-threatening form of meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the membranes that wrap the brain). R. rickettsii infects ticks and can be transmitted to humans via a bite from an infected tick (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)).

    A micrograph of blue cells labeled tick hemolymph cells. Inside of these cells are small red cells labeled R. rickettsia.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Rickettsias require special staining methods to see them under a microscope. Here, R. rickettsii, which causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, is shown infecting the cells of a tick. (credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

    Another species of Rickettsia, R. prowazekii, is spread by lice. It causes epidemic typhus, a severe infectious disease common during warfare and mass migrations of people. R. prowazekii infects human endothelium cells, causing inflammation of the inner lining of blood vessels, high fever, abdominal pain, and sometimes delirium. A relative, R. typhi, causes a less severe disease known as murine or endemic typhus, which is still observed in the southwestern United States during warm seasons.

    Chlamydia is another taxon of the Alphaproteobacteria. Members of this genus are extremely resistant to the cellular defenses, giving them the ability to spread from host to host rapidly via elementary bodies. The metabolically and reproductively inactive elementary bodies are the endospore-like form of intracellular bacteria that enter an epithelial cell, where they become active. Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\) illustrates the life cycle of Chlamydia.


    A diagram showing the life cycle of Chlamydia. An epithelial cell is infected by small spheres labeldd elementary bodies. Within 12 hours, these form into reticulate bodies which divide  to form inclusions within 24 hours. Within the inclusions more elementary bodies are formed and within 72 hours these are released when the cell ruptures.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Chlamydia begins infection of a host when the metabolically inactive elementary bodies enter an epithelial cell. Once inside the host cell, the elementary bodies turn into active reticulate bodies. The reticulate bodies multiply and release more elementary bodies when the cell dies after the Chlamydia uses all of the host cell’s ATP. (credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

    C. trachomatis is a human pathogen that causes trachoma, a disease of the eyes, often leading to blindness. C. trachomatis also causes the sexually transmitted disease lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). This disease is often mildly symptomatic, manifesting as regional lymph node swelling, or it may be asymptomatic, but it is extremely contagious and is common on college campuses.

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\) summarizes the characteristics of important genera of Alphaproteobacteria.

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Class Alphaproteobacteria
    Genus Microscopic Morphology Unique Characteristics
    Agrobacterium Gram-negative bacillus Plant pathogen; one species, A. tumefaciens, causes tumors in plants
    Bartonella Gram-negative, pleomorphic, flagellated coccobacillus Facultative intracellular bacteria, transmitted by lice and fleas, cause trench fever and cat scratch disease in humans
    Brucella Gram-negative, small, flagellated coccobacillus Facultative intracellular bacteria, transmitted by contaminated milk from infected cows, cause brucellosis in cattle and humans
    Caulobacter Gram-negative bacillus Used in studies on cellular adaptation and differentiation because of its peculiar life cycle (during cell division, forms “swarm” cells and “stalked” cells)
    Chlamydia Gram-negative, coccoid or ovoid bacterium Obligatory intracellular bacteria; some cause chlamydia, trachoma, and pneumonia
    Coxiella Small, gram-negative bacillus Obligatory intracellular bacteria; cause Q fever; potential for use as biological weapon
    Ehrlichia Very small, gram-negative, coccoid or ovoid bacteria Obligatory intracellular bacteria; can be transported from cell to cell; transmitted by ticks; cause ehrlichiosis (destruction of white blood cells and inflammation) in humans and dogs
    Hyphomicrobium Gram-negative bacilli; grows from a stalk Similar to Caulobacter
    Methylocystis Gram-negative, coccoid or short bacilli Nitrogen-fixing aerobic bacteria
    Rhizobium Gram-negative, rectangular bacilli with rounded ends forming clusters Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in soil and form symbiotic relationship with roots of legumes (e.g., clover, alfalfa, and beans)
    Rickettsia Gram-negative, highly pleomorphic bacteria (may be cocci, rods, or threads) Obligate intracellular bacteria; transmitted by ticks; may cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    What characteristic do all Alphaproteobacteria share?


    Unlike Alphaproteobacteria, which survive on a minimal amount of nutrients, the class Betaproteobacteria are eutrophs (or copiotrophs), meaning that they require a copious amount of organic nutrients. Betaproteobacteria often grow between aerobic and anaerobic areas (e.g., in mammalian intestines). Some genera include species that are human pathogens, able to cause severe, sometimes life-threatening disease. The genus Neisseria, for example, includes the bacteria N. gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of the STI gonorrhea, and N. meningitides, the causative agent of bacterial meningitis.

    Neisseria are cocci that live on mucosal surfaces of the human body. They are fastidious, or difficult to culture, and they require high levels of moisture, nutrient supplements, and carbon dioxide. Also, Neisseria are microaerophilic, meaning that they require low levels of oxygen. For optimal growth and for the purposes of identification, Neisseria spp. are grown on chocolate agar (i.e., agar supplemented by partially hemolyzed red blood cells). Their characteristic pattern of growth in culture is diplococcal: pairs of cells resembling coffee beans (Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)).

    A photograph showing round domes on a brown background.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Neisseria meningitidis growing in colonies on a chocolate agar plate. (credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

    The pathogen responsible for pertussis (whooping cough) is also a member of Betaproteobacteria. The bacterium Bordetella pertussis, from the order Burkholderiales, produces several toxins that paralyze the movement of cilia in the human respiratory tract and directly damage cells of the respiratory tract, causing a severe cough.

    Table \(\PageIndex{2}\) summarizes the characteristics of important genera of Betaproteobacteria.

    Table \(\PageIndex{2}\): Class Betaproteobacteria
    Example Genus Microscopic Morphology Unique Characteristics
    Bordetella A small, gram-negative coccobacillus Aerobic, very fastidious; B. pertussis causes pertussis (whooping cough)
    Burkholderia Gram-negative bacillus Aerobic, aquatic, cause diseases in horses and humans (especially patients with cystic fibrosis); agents of nosocomial infections
    Leptothrix Gram-negative, sheathed, filamentous bacillus Aquatic; oxidize iron and manganese; can live in wastewater treatment plants and clog pipes
    Neisseria Gram-negative, coffee bean-shaped coccus forming pairs Require moisture and high concentration of carbon dioxide; oxidase positive, grow on chocolate agar; pathogenic species cause gonorrhea and meningitis
    Thiobacillus Gram-negative bacillus Thermophilic, acidophilic, strictly aerobic bacteria; oxidize iron and sulfur

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    What characteristic do all Betaproteobacteria share?

    Clinical Focus - PART 2

    When Marsha finally went to the doctor’s office, the physician listened to her breathing through a stethoscope. He heard some crepitation (a crackling sound) in her lungs, so he ordered a chest radiograph and asked the nurse to collect a sputum sample for microbiological evaluation and cytology. The radiologic evaluation found cavities, opacities, and a particular pattern of distribution of abnormal material (Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)).

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    What are some possible diseases that could be responsible for Marsha’s radiograph results?

    An X-ray showing ribs and other structures as white and the lungs as black. Light white webbings in the lungs are highlighted with white triangles. A dark region in this white webbing is outlined with black arrows.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): This anteroposterior radiograph shows the presence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrate (white triangles) and “caving formation” (black arrows) present in the right apical region. (credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)


    The most diverse class of gram-negative bacteria is Gammaproteobacteria, and it includes a number of human pathogens. For example, a large and diverse family, Pseudomonaceae, includes the genus Pseudomonas. Within this genus is the species P. aeruginosa, a pathogen responsible for diverse infections in various regions of the body. P. aeruginosa is a strictly aerobic, nonfermenting, highly motile bacterium. It often infects wounds and burns, can be the cause of chronic urinary tract infections, and can be an important cause of respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis or patients on mechanical ventilators. Infections by P. aeruginosa are often difficult to treat because the bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics and has a remarkable ability to form biofilms. Other representatives of Pseudomonas include the fluorescent (glowing) bacterium P. fluorescens and the soil bacteria P. putida, which is known for its ability to degrade xenobiotics (substances not naturally produced or found in living organisms).

    The Pasteurellaceae also includes several clinically relevant genera and species. This family includes several bacteria that are human and/or animal pathogens. For example, Pasteurella haemolytica causes severe pneumonia in sheep and goats. P. multocida is a species that can be transmitted from animals to humans through bites, causing infections of the skin and deeper tissues. The genus Haemophilus contains two human pathogens, H. influenzae and H. ducreyi. Despite its name, H. influenzae does not cause influenza (which is a viral disease). H. influenzae can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infections, and pneumonia. Before the development of effective vaccination, strains of H. influenzae were a leading cause of more invasive diseases, like meningitis in children. H. ducreyi causes the STI known as chancroid.

    The order Vibrionales includes the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae. This comma-shaped aquatic bacterium thrives in highly alkaline environments like shallow lagoons and sea ports. A toxin produced by V. cholerae causes hypersecretion of electrolytes and water in the large intestine, leading to profuse watery diarrhea and dehydration. V. parahaemolyticus is also a cause of gastrointestinal disease in humans, whereas V. vulnificus causes serious and potentially life-threatening cellulitis (infection of the skin and deeper tissues) and blood-borne infections. Another representative of Vibrionales, Aliivibrio fischeri, engages in a symbiotic relationship with squid. The squid provides nutrients for the bacteria to grow and the bacteria produce bioluminescence that protects the squid from predators (Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\)).

    a) A photograph of shining green dots on a black backround. B) A photograph of a glowing squid.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): (a) Aliivibrio fischeri is a bioluminescent bacterium. (b) A. fischeri colonizes and lives in a mutualistic relationship with the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes). (credit a: modification of work by American Society for Microbiology; credit b: modification of work by Margaret McFall-Ngai)

    The genus Legionella also belongs to the Gammaproteobacteria. L. pneumophila, the pathogen responsible for Legionnaires disease, is an aquatic bacterium that tends to inhabit pools of warm water, such as those found in the tanks of air conditioning units in large buildings (Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\)). Because the bacteria can spread in aerosols, outbreaks of Legionnaires disease often affect residents of a building in which the water has become contaminated with Legionella. In fact, these bacteria derive their name from the first known outbreak of Legionnaires disease, which occurred in a hotel hosting an American Legion veterans’ association convention in Philadelphia in 1976.

    A) A micrograph of rod shaped cells. B) A photograph of an air conditioner.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): (a) Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires disease, thrives in warm water. (b) Outbreaks of Legionnaires disease often originate in the air conditioning units of large buildings when water in or near the system becomes contaminated with L. pneumophila. (credit a: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

    Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of enteric (intestinal) bacteria belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria. They are facultative anaerobes and are able to ferment carbohydrates. Within this family, microbiologists recognize two distinct categories. The first category is called the coliforms, after its prototypical bacterium species, Escherichia coli. Coliforms are able to ferment lactose completely (i.e., with the production of acid and gas). The second category, noncoliforms, either cannot ferment lactose or can only ferment it incompletely (producing either acid or gas, but not both). The noncoliforms include some notable human pathogens, such as Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Yersinia pestis.

    E. coli has been perhaps the most studied bacterium since it was first described in 1886 by Theodor Escherich (1857–1911). Many strains of E. coli are in mutualistic relationships with humans. However, some strains produce a potentially deadly toxin called Shiga toxin, which perforates cellular membranes in the large intestine, causing bloody diarrhea and peritonitis (inflammation of the inner linings of the abdominal cavity). Other E. coli strains may cause traveler’s diarrhea, a less severe but very widespread disease.

    The genus Salmonella, which belongs to the noncoliform group of Enterobacteriaceae, is interesting in that there is still no consensus about how many species it includes. Scientists have reclassified many of the groups they once thought to be species as serotypes (also called serovars), which are strains or variations of the same species of bacteria. Their classification is based on patterns of reactivity by animal antisera against molecules on the surface of the bacterial cells. A number of serotypes of Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, characterized by inflammation of the small and the large intestine, accompanied by fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The species S. enterobacterica (serovar typhi) causes typhoid fever, with symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, and skin rashes (Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\)).

    A micrograph of many rod shaped cells.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\): Salmonella typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever. (credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

    Table \(\PageIndex{3}\) summarizes the characteristics of important genera of Gammaproteobacteria.

    Table \(\PageIndex{3}\): Class Gammaproteobacteria
    Example Genus Microscopic Morphology Unique Characteristics
    Beggiatoa Gram-negative bacteria; disc-shaped or cylindrical Aquatic, live in water with high content of hydrogen disulfide; can cause problems for sewage treatment
    Enterobacter Gram-negative bacillus Facultative anaerobe; cause urinary and respiratory tract infections in hospitalized patients; implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity
    Erwinia Gram-negative bacillus Plant pathogen causing leaf spots and discoloration; may digest cellulose; prefer relatively low temperatures (25–30 °C)
    Escherichia Gram-negative bacillus Facultative anaerobe; inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of warm-blooded animals; some strains are mutualists, producing vitamin K; others, like serotype E. coli O157:H7, are pathogens; E. coli has been a model organism for many studies in genetics and molecular biology
    Hemophilus Gram-negative bacillus Pleomorphic, may appear as coccobacillus, aerobe, or facultative anaerobe; grow on blood agar; pathogenic species can cause respiratory infections, chancroid, and other diseases
    Klebsiella Gram-negative bacillus; appears rounder and thicker than other members of Enterobacteriaceae Facultative anaerobe, encapsulated, nonmotile; pathogenic species may cause pneumonia, especially in people with alcoholism
    Legionella Gram-negative bacillus Fastidious, grow on charcoal-buffered yeast extract; L. pneumophila causes Legionnaires disease
    Methylomonas Gram-negative bacillus Use methane as source of carbon and energy
    Proteus Gram-negative bacillus (pleomorphic) Common inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract; motile; produce urease; opportunistic pathogens; may cause urinary tract infections and sepsis
    Pseudomonas Gram-negative bacillus Aerobic; versatile; produce yellow and blue pigments, making them appear green in culture; opportunistic, antibiotic-resistant pathogens may cause wound infections, hospital-acquired infections, and secondary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis
    Serratia Gram-negative bacillus Motile; may produce red pigment; opportunistic pathogens responsible for a large number of hospital-acquired infections
    Shigella Gram-negative bacillus Nonmotile; dangerously pathogenic; produce Shiga toxin, which can destroy cells of the gastrointestinal tract; can cause dysentery
    Vibrio Gram-negative, comma- or curved rod-shaped bacteria Inhabit seawater; flagellated, motile; may produce toxin that causes hypersecretion of water and electrolytes in the gastrointestinal tract; some species may cause serious wound infections
    Yersinia Gram-negative bacillus Carried by rodents; human pathogens; Y. pestis causes bubonic plague and pneumonic plague; Y. enterocolitica can be a pathogen causing diarrhea in humans

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    List two families of Gammaproteobacteria.


    The Deltaproteobacteria is a small class of gram-negative Proteobacteria that includes sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRBs), so named because they use sulfate as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. Few SRBs are pathogenic. However, the SRB Desulfovibrio orale is associated with periodontal disease (disease of the gums).

    Deltaproteobacteria also includes the genus Bdellovibrio, species of which are parasites of other gram-negative bacteria. Bdellovibrio invades the cells of the host bacterium, positioning itself in the periplasm, the space between the plasma membrane and the cell wall, feeding on the host’s proteins and polysaccharides. The infection is lethal for the host cells.

    Another type of Deltaproteobacteria, myxobacteria, lives in the soil, scavenging inorganic compounds. Motile and highly social, they interact with other bacteria within and outside their own group. They can form multicellular, macroscopic “fruiting bodies” (Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\)), structures that are still being studied by biologists and bacterial ecologists.2These bacteria can also form metabolically inactive myxospores.

    An image of a round structure labeled fruiting body. Smaller spheres on this structure are labeled sporangium containing myxospores.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): Myxobacteria form fruiting bodies. (credit: modification of work by Michiel Vos)

    Table \(\PageIndex{4}\) summarizes the characteristics of several important genera of Deltaproteobacteria.

    Table \(\PageIndex{4}\): Class Deltaproteobacteria
    Genus Microscopic Morphology Unique characteristics
    Bdellovibrio Gram-negative, comma-shaped rod Obligate aerobes; motile; parasitic (infecting other bacteria)
    Desulfovibrio(formerly Desufuromonas) Gram-negative, comma-shaped rod Reduce sulfur; can be used for removal of toxic and radioactive waste
    Myxobacterium Gram-negative, coccoid bacteria forming colonies (swarms) Live in soil; can move by gliding; used as a model organism for studies of intercellular communication (signaling)

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    What type of Deltaproteobacteria forms fruiting bodies?


    The smallest class of Proteobacteria is Epsilonproteobacteria, which are gram-negative microaerophilic bacteria (meaning they only require small amounts of oxygen in their environment). Two clinically relevant genera of Epsilonproteobacteria are Campylobacter and Helicobacter, both of which include human pathogens. Campylobacter can cause food poisoning that manifests as severe enteritis (inflammation in the small intestine). This condition, caused by the species C. jejuni, is rather common in developed countries, usually because of eating contaminated poultry products. Chickens often harbor C. jejuni in their gastrointestinal tract and feces, and their meat can become contaminated during processing.

    Within the genus Helicobacter, the helical, flagellated bacterium H. pylori has been identified as a beneficial member of the stomach microbiota, but it is also the most common cause of chronic gastritis and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum (Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\)). Studies have also shown that H. pylori is linked to stomach cancer.3 H. pylori is somewhat unusual in its ability to survive in the highly acidic environment of the stomach. It produces urease and other enzymes that modify its environment to make it less acidic.

    A micrograph of a rod shaped cell with many long projections.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\): Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic gastritis, which can lead to ulcers and stomach cancer.

    Table \(\PageIndex{5}\) summarizes the characteristics of the most clinically relevant genera of Epsilonproteobacteria.

    Table \(\PageIndex{5}\): Class Epsilonproteobacteria
    Example Genus Microscopic Morphology Unique Characteristics
    Campylobacter Gram-negative, spiral-shaped rod Aerobic (microaerophilic); often infects chickens; may infect humans via undercooked meat, causing severe enteritis
    Helicobacter Gram-negative, spiral-shaped rod Aerobic (microaerophilic) bacterium; can damage the inner lining of the stomach, causing chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Name two Epsilonproteobacteria that cause gastrointestinal disorders.


    • Proteobacteria is a phylum of gram-negative bacteria discovered by Carl Woese in the 1980s based on nucleotide sequence homology.
    • Proteobacteria are further classified into the classes alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta- and epsilonproteobacteria, each class having separate orders, families, genera, and species.
    • Alphaproteobacteria are oligotrophs. The taxa chlamydias and rickettsias are obligate intracellular pathogens, feeding on cells of host organisms; they are metabolically inactive outside of the host cell. Some Alphaproteobacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrites, making nitrogen usable by other forms of life.
    • Betaproteobacteria are eutrophs. They include human pathogens of the genus Neisseria and the species Bordetella pertussis.
    • Gammaproteobacteria are the largest and the most diverse group of Proteobacteria. Many are human pathogens that are aerobes or facultative anaerobes. Some Gammaproteobacteria are enteric bacteria that may be coliform or noncoliform. Escherichia coli, a member of Gammaproteobacteria, is perhaps the most studied bacterium.
    • Deltaproteobacteria make up a small group able to reduce sulfate or elemental sulfur. Some are scavengers and form myxospores, with multicellular fruiting bodies.
    • Epsilonproteobacteria make up the smallest group of Proteobacteria. The genera Campylobacter and Helicobacter are human pathogens.


    1. 1 C.R. Woese. “Bacterial Evolution.” Microbiological Review 51 no. 2 (1987):221–271.
    2. 2 H. Reichenbach. “Myxobacteria, Producers of Novel Bioactive Substances.” Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology 27 no. 3 (2001):149–156.
    3. 3 S. Suerbaum, P. Michetti. “Helicobacter pylori infection.” New England Journal of Medicine 347 no. 15 (2002):1175–1186.