Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteriodes fragilis (Bile-tolerant

anaerobe)
• Beta lactamase produces, non motile and saccharolytic.
• Causes intraabdominal abscesses and bacteremia.
• Most common cause of anaerobic bacteremia.
• Agent for brain and liver abscess.
•VF: Polysaccharide capsule and fimbriae
• Culture medium: BBE – Gray color against black slant.
• BT: (+) Esculin hyhdrolysis and catalase; (-) indole
• DT: (+) Bile tolerance

Actinomyces israelli
• Most common cause of
actinomycosis.
• Non motile, saccharolytic and non
AFB.
• Indigenous microbiota of the oral
cavity.
• Spx: Surgical biopsy or discharge
(pus)
• Selective Media: PEA and mupirocin-
metronidazole blood agar
• BT: (+) Nitrate reduction
Lactobacillus
acidophilus
• Infection: Bacterial vaginosis
• Differential medium: Tomato juice
agar (ph 3-4)
• Selective medium: MRS agar at ph
6.0 – white or yellow colonies
• BT: (+) Litmus milk, clot formation
(-) catalase, HS2 and esculin
hydrolysis
Indicators of the Presence of Anaerobic
bacteria
1. Foul odor is emitted upon opening an anaerobic jar or pouch. (C.
difficile, Fusobacterium and Porphyromonas)
2. Presence of sulfur granules (Actinomyces, Cutibacterium,
Eubacterium nodatum)
3. Presence of brick red fluorescence when exposed to UV light
(Prevotella and Porphyromonas)
4. Double zone of hemolysis (C. perfringens)
5. Absence of superoxide dismutase
6. Growth on anaerobic culture plate
 Requirements for Anaerobic bacteriology
1. Sample Collection
• Specimen must be collected from actual site of infection, swabbing is insufficient.
• Needle aspiration is the best specimen. Biopsy is acceptable.
• Stool sample is used for isolation of C. difficile. Food and decal specimens suspected for this should be
transported at 4C.
• Other specimens acceptable: CSF, Peritoneal, join, and bone marrow.

2. Transport, processing and storage of specimens

◦ Transported to the laboratory under anaerobic conditions or with minimal exposure to oxygen. Once arrived
in the lab, it should be placed immediately in an oxygen free environment such as anaerobic chamber.
◦ If delayed testing, It should be kept at Room temperate for minimal time.
◦ AVOID REFRIGERATION.
Unacceptable specimens for Anaerobic
culture
1. Swabs
2. Sputum
3. Bronchial washings
4. Voided or catheterized urine
5. Feces and effluents from ileostomy and colostomy
6. Gastric and small bowel contents
LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
1. GRAM STAIN
2. CULTURE AND AST
3. AEROTOLERANT TEST
4. ENZYME BASED TEST
5. MALDI-TOF AND MOLECULAR TEST