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.]
actinomyces
Dictionary:
ac·ti·no·my·ces (ăk'tə-nō-mī'sēz') 
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n., pl., actinomyces.
Any of various filamentous, mostly anaerobic microorganisms of the genus Actinomyces, which includes the causative agents of actinomycosis.
| 5min Related Video: actinomyces |
| Medical Dictionary: 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.
| Veterinary Dictionary: actinomyces |
An organism of the genus Actinomyces.
| WordNet: actinomyces |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
soil-inhabiting saprophytes and disease-producing plant and animal parasites
| Wikipedia: Actinomyces |
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 Scanning electron micrograph of Actinomyces israelii.
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A. bovis |
Actinomyces is a genus of the actinobacteria class of bacteria. They are all Gram-positive and can be either anaerobic or facultatively 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]
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.
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
Some species are responsible for the smell of topsoil, which is often particularly noticeable after rain.[4] The main chemical responsible from this smell is geosmin.[5]
Actinomyces, a thermophilic bacteria, is usually the causative agent of farmer's lung, and bagassosis.
Actinomycosis is most frequently caused by
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.
- ^ The Sweet Smell of Rain
- ^ "The Role of Actinomycetes in Coffee Plantation Ecology". http://www.ineedcoffee.com/05/actinomycetes/. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
External links
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 | actinomycoma |
| Actinomyces viscosus |
| actinomycosis (medicine) |
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 | 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. Read more |
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| Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Read more |
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| 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. Read more |
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| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Actinomyces". Read more |
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Mentioned in
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- Actinomyces viscosus
- actinomycosis (medicine)
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- Actinomycosis: Causes and symptoms
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- mycomycin (microbiology)
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