Anaerobic bacteria means the bacteria that can grow in the absence of oxygen.
The bacteria that do not require in the oxygen for the respiration process are called Anaerobic bacteria.
Anaerobic bacteria examples are divided into two–
Gram Positive Anaerobic Bacteria:
Peptostreptococcus:
These are the examples of gram positive cocci. In these Peptostreptococcus is the common pathogenic anaerobic bacteria can be found on the skin or genital parts of women. It can cause inflammatory diseases in humans especially in women. Peptostreptococcus grow in small chain like structures.
Streptococcus:
Streptococcus is he common gram positive anaerobic cocci which can be found commonly in the genital parts of women and cause urinary tract infections.
Gemella:
Gemella is an facultative anaerobic species and catalyse negative gram positive cocci bacteria and it is found on the surface the skin and mucous membrane of humans and some other animals too. It may infect the tooth (dental) in the humans.
Bifidobacterium:
Bifidobacterium is commonly known to be the normal bacterial flora, present in intestine. It is a non motile bacteria.They can help humans as they act as probiotics and also absorb nutrients from food, digest food help human beings in constipation, diarrhea.
Finegoldia:
Finegoldia is an anaerobic gram positive cocci and usaually found on the skin, mouth, intestine. They may cause gastro intestinal infections and urinary tract infections.
Clostridium Botulinum:
Clostridium Botulinum is an anaerobic gram positive bacilli. This is a spore forming bacteria. This is commonly found in the surface of sea food as well as fruits and vegetables. It is toxic bacteria can cause Botulism in humans.
Lactobacillus:
Lactobacillus is an anaerobic gram positive bacilli. It is non pathogenic bacteria and acts as a probiotic. It is mostly found in intestine (digestive tract) and urinary tracts.
Listeria:
Listeria is an intra cellular pathogenic bacterium and it cause listeria monocytogenes. It is basically a food borne disease and affects the immune system.
Clostridium tetani:
Clostridium tetani is a spore forming gram positive anaerobic bacteria. It presents in soil and intestine of animals. It causes tetanus. Tetanus usually affects the neuro transmissions.
Propionibacterium:
Propionibacterium is gram positive anaerobic bacilli. This bacterium is widely used in the production of Vitamins, propionic acid and probiotics too.
Eubacterium lentum:
Eubacterium lentum is a gram positive anaerobic bacilli. It is a non spore forming bacteria. It is usually found in gastro intestinal tract. It causes Septicemia.
Cl.Novyi:
Cl.Novyi is an anaerobic gram positive bacilli and it is commonly seen in soil as well as intestinal tract. Cl.Novyi produce endo toxins.
Cl.ramosam:
Cl.ramosam is an anaerobic gram positive, non motile, spore forming bacteria. It usually a causative agent for ear infections in humans especially in young children (infants).
Cl.Histolyticum:
Cl.Histolyticum is an aerotolerant anaerobic, motile, gram positive bacteria, mostly seen in soil and feces of animals. It usually causes gas gangrene in humans as well as other animals like pig, mouse etc.
Gram Negative Anaerobic Bacteria:
Bacteroides :
Bacteroides is an obligative anaerobic bacteria and gram negative bacilli. They are friendly to humans and found in the intestine. They help in digestion of food and can produce pivotal nutrients which are needed by the body. Some times they might cause infections (Bacterial fragellis) in humans.
Escherichia coli:
Escherichia coli is an anaerobic gram negative bacilli. It is commonly found in intestine of humans. It helps the humans to keep intestine healthy. Some times it is pathogenic too and can cause diarrhea and mild fever too. It enter the body from contaminated food. It can also infect urinary tract.
Fusobacterium:
Fusobacterium is a gram negative anaerobic bacilli. It is non spore producing bacteria. It is normal bacterial flora and it is causative organism for the diseases like tonsillitis and Lemierre’s disease.
Shewanella oneidensis :
Shewanella oneidensis is anaerobic gram negative bacilli.It is normally found in aquatic regions. Scientist KEN Nealson first identified Shewanella oneidensis. It may be pathogenic to humans. Shewanella oneidensis enters the body from unprocessed sea food.
Leptotricha Buccalis:
Leptotricha Buccalis is an anaerobic gram negative bacilli. It is usually seen in oral parts and causes dental problems.
Fragilis:
Fragilis is an anaerobic gram negative bacilli. It is commonly seen in colon and faces. It generally causes diarrhea in humans.
Porphyromonas:
Porphyromonas is an obligative anaerobic, non motile, non spore forming gram negative bacteria. It is usually found in oral cavity and causes dental problems.
Prevotella:
Prevotella are an anaerobic gram negative bacilli and can be seen in oral cavity. It is specifically a dietary fiber fermentor.
Veillonella:
Veillonella is an anaerobic gram negative bacteria and it causes dental problems and soft tissue infections.
Examples Of Pathogenic Anaerobic Bacteria:
| Anaerobic bacteria name | Pathogenicity |
| Bifidiobacterium | Causes abdominal infections. |
| Peptostreptococcus | Causes oral, respiratory and intra-abdominal infections. |
| Actinomyces | Cause infection in neck, Pelvis and head. |
| Clostridium species | Food borne infections like vomiting, stomach ache. |
| Bacteriods and privotella | Soft tissue infection, intra-abdominal infection, liver infection. |
| Fusobacterium | Wound infections as well as pulmonary infections. |
| Porphyromonas | Pneumonia. |
Clostridium Botulinum Public Domain Images
Classification:
The bacteria can be sub classified into four groups.
Facultative aerobes:
This type of bacteria can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen.
Micro aerophilic:
This type of bacteria require very low amount of oxygen.
Obligate anaerobic:
This type of bacteria don’t require oxygen but able to with stand in the presence of oxygen. The obligate anaerobes are again sub classified basing on their tolerance towards oxygen.
If the obligate anaerobic bacteria can tolerate only ≤ 0.5% oxygen is known considered to the strict anaerobes.
If they tolerate 2 to 8% of oxygen then they can be said to be moderate anaerobes.
If they tolerate atmospheric oxygen for a limited time then they can be said to be aerotolerant anaerobes.
Examples :
Capnophiles:
This type of bacteria need more amount of carbon dioxide.
E.g. Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
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Anaerobic:
The bacteria cannot grow in the presence of bacteria.
The anaerobic bacteria are first observed by the scientist Van Leeuwenhoek. He is a Dutch scientist.
The oxygen acts as a toxic agent for anaerobic bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria undergo fermentation process.
In fermentation process the anaerobic bacteria the first is the breaking down of glucose molecule. The glucose molecule is broke down two phospholipids. Anaerobic bacteria use lactic acid cycle in this process two cycles are used by them. They are tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain. The anaerobic catalyse the glucose molecule and synthesize two ATP molecules.
Types of anaerobic bacteria:
The anaerobic bacteria includes Cocci (Circle), bacilli (rod), spiral (spherical).
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Hi…I am Nagasrilakshmi Narne, a postgraduate in Biotechnology and English. also completed my B.Ed. I worked in Vimtalabs as a project trainee and I have work experience as a faculty of English. So I can explain topics in simple language.
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