The Anaerobes

Anaerobic Bacteria → Obligate anaerobes: A group of bacteria that cannot live in an environment that contains oxygen.

Anaerobic Bacteria:

1) Clostridium: Spore-forming Anaerobe

Characteristics:

  • Spore forming

  • Rod shaped

  • Non-motile

  • Gram Postiive

  • Exception: C. piliforme stains gram negative

  • Produce Toxins

Habitat/Transmission:

  • Environmental spores (soil) will enter a body by wounds and direct contact with spores.

  • Endogenous originates from within or on an animal

Diseases:

  • Clostridium Botulinum→ Toxin acts on the Nervous system (Neurotoxic). Botulism

  • Clostridium Tetani→ Toxin acts on the nervous system (Neurotoxic). Causes paralysis. Tetanus. 

  • Clostridium chauvoei→ Toxin acts on muscles. “Blackleg” (Histotoxic)

  • Clostridium perfringens Type A→ Toxin acts on muscles.  Muscle necrosis and gas gangrene. (Histotoxic)

  • Clostridium piliforme→Toxin acts on the gastrointestinal system Tyzzer’s Disease. (Enterotoxigenic).

2) Fusobacterium necrophorum:

Characteristics:

  • Non-spore forming anaerobe

  • Obligate anaerobe

  • Fusiform Rod

  • Rancid butter odor

  • Gram Negative

Habitat/Transmission:

  • Normally found in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of healthy animals.

  • Opportunicistc bacteria

Disease:

  • Liver Abscess→ Caused by excessive grain feeding in ruminants. The bacteria enter the blood stream and causes an infection in the liver.

  • Foot Rot→ Opportunistic infection only enters an inflamed hoof.

  • Equine Hoof Thrush→Opportunistic infection only enters by a wound or inflamed tissue.