Bilophila wadsworthia

Taxonomic Level: Species 

Family: Desulfovibrionaceae 

Properties: Gram-negative, Anaerobic, Nonsporulating  

Additional Information: One of the most important processes that occurs in Bilophila wadsworthia is producing hydrogen sulfide through the respiration of bisulfite released from organosulfonate substrates, including a molecule known as taurine (commonly ingested through meat and fish). The production of hydrogen sulfide is implicated in many different health conditions, good and bad. Hydrogen sulfide can act as a signaling molecule, resulting in beneficial effects such as cardioprotection. Some of the more negative impacts of hydrogen sulfide production in the gut include disrupting the gut epithelial’s barrier function, playing a role in inflammatory bowel disease, and it is also known to induce antibiotic resistance, which can lead to bacterial blooms during antibiotic treatment.