BACTEROIDES

BACTEROIDES

Species

1. B. fragilis

2. B. ovatus

3. B. vulgatus

Characteristics

• Gram Negative
• Pleomorphic rod
• Encapsulated
• Motile or non-motile depending on the species
• Non-spore forming
• Obligate anaerobic
• Opportunistic pathogen

Reservoirs

• Humans (normal flora of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, GI tract (99% of the normal flora of the GI tract), and female genitalia)
• Animals

Transmission

• Trauma
• Zoonosis

Toxins

• None in particular

Diseases

• Otitis media and mastoiditis
• Sinusitis
• Gingivitis and periodontitis
• Pharyngitis and retropharyngeal abscesses
• Bronchopneumonia and pulmonary abscesses
• Peritonitis, subphrenic abscesses and hepatic abscesses
• Vulvovaginitis and pelvic inflammatory disease
• Meningitis and cerebral abscesses
• Subacute infectious endocarditis
• Osteomyelitis and infective arthritis
• Septicemia

Treatment

• Metronidazole
• Lincosamides