actinomyces
American Heritage Dictionary:
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ac·ti·no·my·ces
(ăk'tə-nō-mī'sēz') 
n., pl., actinomyces.
Any of various filamentous, mostly anaerobic microorganisms of the genus Actinomyces, which includes the causative agents of actinomycosis.
n., pl., actinomyces.
Any of various filamentous, mostly anaerobic microorganisms of the genus Actinomyces, which includes the causative agents of actinomycosis.
[New Latin Actīnomycēs, genus name : ACTINO- + Greek mukēs, fungus.]
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary:
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Ac·ti·no·my·ces
(ăk'tə-nō-mī'sēz')
n.
n.
A genus of nonmotile, non-spore-producing, anaerobic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria pathogenic to humans.
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Actinomyces
| Actinomycetes | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Scanning electron micrograph of Actinomyces israelii. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Actinobacteria |
| Class: | Actinobacteria |
| Order: | Actinomycetales |
| Family: | Actinomycetaceae |
| Genus: | Actinomyces Harz 1877 |
| Species | |
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A. bovis |
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Actinomyces from Greek "actis" ray, beam and "mykes" mucus, fungus, is a genus of the actinobacteria class of bacteria. They are all Gram-positive. Actinomyces are anaerobic. Actinomyces species do not form endospores, and, while individual bacteria are rod-shaped, morphologically Actinomyces colonies form fungus-like branched networks of hyphae.[1] The aspect of these colonies initially led to the (wrong) assumption that the organism was a fungus and to the name "Actinomyces" or ray fungus.
Actinomyces are known for causing disease in humans, and for the important role they play in soil ecology. They produce a number of enzymes that help degrade organic plant material, lignin and chitin. As such, their presence is important in the formation of compost.
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Contents
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Pathology
Actinomyces is normally present in the gingival area; in other words, it is considered comensal flora. It is the most common infection in dental procedures, oral abscess.
Many Actinomyces species are opportunistic pathogens of humans and other mammals, particularly in the oral cavity.[2] In rare cases, these bacteria can cause actinomycosis, a disease characterized by the formation of abscesses in the mouth, lungs, or the gastrointestinal tract.[3] Actinomycosis is most frequently caused by Actinomyces israelii. Actinomyces israelii can also rarely cause bacterial endocarditis.
Actinomyces, a thermophilic bacteria, is usually the causative agent of farmer's lung, and bagassosis.
Additional images
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Micrograph of actinomycosis. H&E stain.
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Micrograph of actinomycosis GMS stain.
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Micrograph of actinomycosis. Gram stain.
References
- ^ Holt JG (editor) (1994). Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (9th ed.). Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-00603-7.
- ^ Madigan M; Martinko J (editors). (2005). Brock Biology of Microorganisms (11th ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-144329-1.
- ^ Bowden GHW (1996). Actinomycosis in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al., eds.) (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
External links
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American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Saunders Veterinary Dictionary
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.
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