Anaerobic Infections

Question 1

Clostridia

Answer 1

Anaerobic
Gram+
Spore-forming rods.
Botulism, tetanus, gas gangrene, food-poisoning, C. diff associated disease, pseudomembranous colitis.

Question 2

Actinomyces

Answer 2

Anaerobic.
Gram + 
Non-spore forming rods. 
Form long, branching filaments that look like fungi.
Not acid fast.
Normal oral, reproductive, GI flora. 
Causes oral/facial abscesses that drain through sinus tracts, forms yellow "sulfur granules."
"Lumpy jaw" can start as infected tooth.
Can also cause PID with IUDs.
Tx w penicillin.

Question 3

Propionibacterium

Answer 3

Anaerobic.
Gram + 
Non-spore forming rods. 
On skin --> acne. 
Can also cause infection on prosthetic devices.

Question 4

Bacteroides fragilis

Answer 4

Anaerobic.
Gram -
Non-spore forming rods.
Below the belt: GI and female GU tracts.
Can cause abscess formation (intrabdominal most common).
Mixed infections.
Polysaccharide capsule is antiphagocytic.
Makes beta-lactamases (no penicillins) - metronidazole.
Can grow in bile.

Question 5

Fusobacterium nucleatum

Answer 5

Anaerobic.
Gram -
Non-spore forming rods.
Indigenous to human oral cavity - periodontal disease.
Commonly found in different mixed infections.
Linked to human colorectal cancer.