Anaerobic bacteria are microorganisms that receive energy by substrate phosphorylation. This allows them to develop in a nutrient medium in which there is no oxygen. The most common type of anaerobic bacteria are bacteroides. They are most often the causative agents of purulent-inflammatory infections in the human body.
Nutrient medium for anaerobic bacteria
There are common environments in which anaerobic bacteria can live, and differential diagnostic environments that allow us to determine the species belonging to this species of microbes and to study their properties. General media include Wilson-Blair and Kitt-Tarozzi. Differential diagnostic environments in which anaerobic bacteria are sown are:
- Wilson-Blair medium - its base is agar-agar with the addition of a small amount of glucose, ferrous iron and sodium sulphite. Formed black colonies of anaerobes in the depth of the agar-agar column;
- Ressel's medium - contains agar-agar and glucose, is most often used to study the biochemical properties of anaerobic shigella and salmonella bacteria.
- Wednesday Ploskirev - it develops well the causative agents of dysentery, typhoid fever and other pathogenic microorganisms.
What infections cause anaerobic bacteria?
Most anaerobic bacteria can cause various infections. Usually, infection occurs during periods of weakening of immunity, as well as when the overall microflora of the organism is disturbed. Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria are very often associated with a qualitative change in the flora of the mucous membranes, because this is the main habitat of these microorganisms. Such diseases can have several pathogens at once.
Anaerobic bacteria cause:
- pathology in the head and neck ( lymphadenitis , otitis media);
- diseases of the digestive tract, lung and genitourinary system of women;
- intracranial diseases (meningitis, abscesses).
The very first study, assigned to determine infections caused by anaerobic Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, is visual inspection. This is due to the fact that their frequent complications are various skin lesions. To establish an accurate diagnosis, laboratory tests should be carried out. Usually the patient is taken for analysis:
- blood;
- cerebrospinal fluid;
- pleural fluid;
- pus from the abscess cavity;
- punctata of the lungs;
- trastrahealnye aspirates.
Transport all these samples in a special container and as quickly as possible, since even a short-term interaction with oxygen causes the death of Gram-positive or Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria. Liquid samples are transported in syringes or vials, and tampons with them are transported in test tubes with pre-prepared media or with carbon dioxide.
Treatment of anaerobic infection
When diagnosing anaerobic infection, it is necessary:
- Neutralize the toxins produced by anaerobes.
- Change the habitat of bacteria.
- Stop the spread of anaerobes.
To treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, drugs that are active against these microorganisms and do not reduce the immunity of the patient are used. These include:
- Chloramphenicol;
- Metronidazole ;
- Fluoroquinolone.
If you want to reduce the habitat of bacteria, the affected tissues are treated with special antiseptics, drain abscesses, ensure normal blood circulation. Ignore these methods of treatment is not worth it because of the risk of developing complex and life-threatening complications. With the development of anaerobic infections in the oral cavity, it is also recommended to the patient to consume as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible, to limit meat food and any fast food.