MORPHOLOGY CULTURAL BIOCHEMICAL CLINICAL

CHARACTERISTICS REACTIONS INFECTIONS

1. C. G +ve bacilli Anaerobic but also 1-lactose egg yolk medium, 1-Gas gangrene: by C. perfringens
PERFRINGES Capsulated microaerophilic ● Produces lecithinase C (alpha toxin) typeA1
non motile ● Ferments lactose -Under anaerobic conditions, C. perfringens multiplies
 produces alpha toxin  which result in the rapid
-Robertson’s cooked ● Does not hydrolyze lipid destruction of tissue carbohydrate with+ production of
Spores are meat medium (RCMM): ● Shows no proteinase activity gas in decaying tissues, particularly muscle
subterminal C.perfringens is -Affected tissue is foul-smelling.
-Septicaemia .
(rarely seen) saccharolytic . reddening 2-Nagler reaction Gas gangrene is also caused by : Clostridium
of the meat with a rancid produces an opacity in medium containing lecithin, histolyticum
due to lecithinase C activity (alpha toxin). Clostridium septicum, Clostridium novy
smell This opacity can be inhibited by applying specific
- Blood agar: Large beta- antitoxic serum to the medium which will inactivate
haemolytic colonies the lecithinase. 2-food-poisoning : by C. perfringens
& type A2
Some strains produce a 3-Litmus milk test :
double zone of stormy fermentation 3-necrotizing enterocolitis (pigbel):
haemolysis. caused by C. perfringens type C
fermentation of lactose
1.acidred litmus acidclot
2.gas disrupted clot
2. C. TETANI -G+ve Rod a strict anaerobe causes tetanus : a fatal disease caused
-non-capsulate -Robertson’s cooked by the neurotoxin (tetanospasmin).
-forms termnal meat medium (RCMM): indole positive
spores: slowly proteolytic . Foul The toxin causes muscular rigidity and
‘drumstick’ smelling spasms, difficulty in opening the jaw
-motile with -Blood agar: haemolytic . (‘lock-jaw’) and backward arching of the
petrichous flagella back due to contractions of back
-tetanospamin muscles.

Infection occurs when spores ( from


3. C. G +ve, rod Obligate anaerobe ferment glucose with acid & gas
BOTOLINUM -oval sub- strict anaerobe. There are
terminal spores 6 types (A to F)
-motile
-non-capsule -Robertson’s cooked
meat medium (RCMM):
Some types blacken and
digest cooked meat
medium (proteolytic
reaction)
Produce H2S gas
-Blood agar: beta-
haemolytic.
-Lactose egg yolk milk
agar: hydrolyzes lipid
(pearly opalescence).
some show proteinase
activity
- 2 biochemical types of C.botulinum:
a. proteolytic
b. saccharolytic
- H₂S is produced in all types
contaminated soil) enter puncture
wounds .
NEONATAL TETANUS
frequent cause of death in dev countries.
Common cause :
1.cutting umbilical cord with unsterilized instruments
2.infection of umbilical stump
Fatality Rate : +/- 90%
Common cause of death : Respi Failure
causes : fatal foodborne disease
(botulism) - lethal preformed
neurotoxin is ingested.
• The toxin causes : paralysis usually 12–36 h after
ingestion. Death usually from: respiratory failure.
• There are seven toxin types (A–G).
Human botulism is usually caused by toxin types
A, B, E
Botulism: initial nausea and vomiting, 
have diplopia and drooping eyelids with a
squint. + flaccid paralysis, weakness &
sleepiness are often.
The patient is thirsty  difficulties in
speech and swallowing  later problems of
breathing .
Death is due to respiratory or cardiac failure.
Infant botulism : floppy child syndrome
4. C. G +ve rod causes antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
DIFFICILE -oval as prolonged use of antibiotics
subterminal  result in disruption of normal
spores. intestinal flora
- motile leading to over growth of C.difficile
 occasionally leading to a
pseudomembranous colitis.
 NON-SPORING RODS (ANAEROBIC BACT)

GRAM -VE GRAM +VE

BACTEROIDES FUSOBACTERIUM ACTINOMYCES
GENUS - Genus Bacteroides : B. fragilis F. fusiformis Actinomycetes inc:
F. necophorum -anaerobic Actinomyces
- Genus Porphyromonas : F.nucleatum : normal inhabitant of -aerobic Nocardia
P. gingivalis & P.endodontalis mouth -Streptomyces

- Genus Prevotella:
P. melaninogenica &
P.buccalis
MORPHOLOGY non motile, Long , non motile
strict anaerobes & thin, non capsulated filaments
pleomorphic spindle shaped bacilli
Sulphur granules are white or yellow could be examined
part of the normal flora in microscopically & stained by Gram.
human colon & female genital
tract : only cause disease when they normally present in mouth, intestine and vagina
gain access to tissues or the blood during as commensals. Also could be found in soil.
bowel penetration (for example, during
surgery or trauma
CULTURAL - Blood agar: - B. fragilis Blood agar: produce granular Culture : Sulphur granules or pus cotaining actinomycetes
CHARACTERISTICS produces grey, glistening, non- or striated colonies with are washed & inoculated into thioglycollate
haemolytic colonies irregular edges medium and brain heart infusion agar and
incubated anaerobically.
-Brain heart infusion agar: show susceptibility
bacteroides grow well in metronidazole Bl.agar : A.israelii produce spidery colonies that
anaerobic atmosphere resembles molar teeth.
 - All Gram negative anaerobic
rods will show susceptibility
to metronidazole
CLINICAL - B.fragilis is the most frequent
nonsporing anaerobes isolated from
INFECTIONS clinical specimens
1. B. fragili : assoc w
abdominal infections
(particularly following surgery and
abdominal injury), peritonitis,
puerperal sepsis
2. P.gingivalis : periodontal
diseases
3. P.endodontalis : dental
root infection
4. P.melaninogenica isolated
from various infections as lung &
liver abscess and lesions of
mouth & gum.
1. Fusobacteria with other
Gram negative anaerobic
rods : found in a range of
necrotizing conditions and
ulcers (as well as periodontal
infections).
2. F. nucleatum &
Prevotella intermedia &
with Borrelia vincenti :
Vincent’s infection, an
ulcerative necrotizing
gingivitis.
A.israelii is catalase & indole -ve
-Actinomyces are incriminated in gingivitis &
periodontitis.
-Actinomyces israelii can cause
Actinomycosis.
is chronic granulomatous infection
characterized by :
1. dev of indurated swelling
2. suppuration and disharge of sulphur
granules .
The lesion points towards the skin , lead 
multiple sinuses.
• It is polymicrobial caused by actinomyces
and other bacteria
• 4 clinical forms ; cervicofacial , thoracic,
abdominal and pelvic