Actinomyces

Aktinomyces are gram-positive, pleomorphic organisms.

Morphology and physiology
They form long branched V- and Y-shaped fibers. These fibers can break down into rods or cocci. Due to their appearance they resemble fungi, but they are bacteria (related to mycobacteria, corynebacteria, nocardia and rothia).

Representatives

 * A. israeli
 * A. naeslundii
 * A. viscousus
 * A. meyeri
 * A. gerencseriae

Cultivation
Microaerophilic actinomycetes are difficult to cultivate. They grow slowly and only on special soils under anaerobic conditions. They require presence CO2 and growth is supported by the addition of sugar.

Diseases and therapy
Actinomycetes cause actinomycosis.

They are treated by surgical intervention in combination with parenteral penicillin, initially in large doses.

Diagnosis
Reliable diagnosis is possible only by microbiological evidence from the preparation and culture. Due to the complexity, it is performed only in specialized laboratories from the sent pus.

Related articles

 * Actinomycosis
 * Bacteria