Anaerobic Bacteria

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Bacteria are single celled organisms that are invisible to the naked eye and can be seen only through a microscope. They are found everywhere and can survive in any type of environment. Bacteria are of different shapes and are measured in micro-meter (a millionth part of a meter). There are different types of bacteria, classified according to their characteristics. Anaerobic is one such classification of bacteria. Let's take a look at anaerobic bacteria in detail.

Anaerobic bacteria or anaerobes are a class of bacteria that can survive without oxygen for growth. There are three anaerobic bacteria types - obligate anaerobes, are bacteria which cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, aerotolerant anaerobes, that do not use oxygen for growth but can tolerate its presence, and facultative anaerobes, that can grow without oxygen but can use oxygen if it is present. Some anaerobic bacteria are harmful to human beings and can cause various kinds of diseases.

Anaerobic Bacteria Examples

Given below is an anaerobic bacteria list with examples.

E. coli (Escherichia Coli) - E. coli is a facultative anaerobe (which can survive without oxygen) that is named after its discoverer Theodor Escherich. It is a common bacterium and is found in the intestinal tract of human beings, birds and other mammals. E. coli can cause acute respiratory problems, diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Among the several types of E. coli that are found, E. coli 0157:H7 is the most toxic. The existence of this bacteria was discovered in the 1980s, when there was an outbreak of food poisoning caused due to undercooked beef in contaminated hamburgers. Shiga toxin, produced by this bacterium is one of the most potent poisons and is lethal for human beings.

Bacteroides - These are aerotolerant anaerobes that can infect several parts of the human body like the peritoneal cavity and the female urogenital tract. But some species of bacteroides are beneficial to human beings.

Clostridium Genus - These are obligate anaerobes, which appear as rod shaped when observed under the microscope. There are three types of bacteria found under Clostridium genus.

* C. botulinum, is normally found in improperly handled meats and produces the deadliest toxin in the world, botulinum.
* C. tetani, is found as parasites in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and as spores in the soil. It produces a toxin called tetanospasmin, which causes tetanus, a disease which creates painful muscle spasms leading to respiratory failure.
* C. perfringens, earlier known as C. welchii, can be found in dead, decaying vegetation, marine sediments and in the human intestinal tract. It causes infections like food poisoning, gas gangrene and tissue necrosis.

Staphylococcus genus - These are facultative anaerobes and are found on the mucous membranes or human skin. One type of Staphylococcus aureus causes a range of infections from ordinary infections like boils, acne etc. to life threatening infections like meningitis, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) etc.

Anaerobic Bacterial Infection
There are various types of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. A few of them have been listed below:

* Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by anaerobic bacteria.
* Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) causes sinus infections in human beings.
* Many other anaerobic bacteria also cause cold, fever, ear infections etc.

Read more on:

* Bacterial Throat Infection
* Bacterial Infection in Men
* Bacterial Bronchitis

Anaerobic Bacteria Treatment
Infectious diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria can be treated as follows:

* One must maintain proper hygiene in order to avoid bacterial infections. Keeping surroundings clean and dirt free is essential.
* Eating a healthy diet and increasing fluid intake will help ward off bacterial infections.
* Taking antibiotics like penicillin, quinolone, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, etc. will help cure bacterial infections.
* If you are affected by any of the above infections, it is advisable to seek medical help immediately.

Though some anaerobic bacteria are harmful, they play an important role of maintaining balance in the environment by keeping it clean.