Actinomyces viscosus: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:59, 1 January 2025

Actinomyces viscosus is a species of Gram-positive bacteria within the genus Actinomyces. It is known for its role in oral microbiology and its association with dental plaque and periodontal disease.

Morphology and Characteristics[edit]

Actinomyces viscosus is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. It is a non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium that appears as filamentous rods under the microscope. The cells are typically 0.5-0.8 µm in diameter and can form branching networks.

Habitat[edit]

A. viscosus is commonly found in the oral cavity of humans and animals. It is a normal inhabitant of the dental plaque biofilm and is involved in the early stages of plaque formation. It can also be found in the gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract of some animals.

Pathogenicity[edit]

Actinomyces viscosus is primarily associated with oral health issues. It is implicated in the development of periodontal disease, gingivitis, and dental caries. The bacterium contributes to the formation of dental plaque by adhering to the tooth surface and producing extracellular polysaccharides that facilitate the attachment of other bacteria.

Periodontal Disease[edit]

In periodontal disease, A. viscosus plays a role in the inflammation and destruction of the periodontium, the tissues that support the teeth. It is often found in association with other pathogenic bacteria in the subgingival plaque of patients with periodontitis.

Dental Caries[edit]

A. viscosus can contribute to the development of dental caries by producing acid as a metabolic byproduct, which demineralizes the enamel and dentin of teeth.

Clinical Significance[edit]

While A. viscosus is primarily associated with oral diseases, it can also cause actinomycosis, a chronic granulomatous infection, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Actinomycosis can affect various body sites, including the cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominal regions.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of infections caused by A. viscosus involves microbiological culture and microscopy. The bacterium can be isolated from clinical specimens using selective media under anaerobic conditions. Gram staining and molecular techniques such as PCR can aid in identification.

Treatment[edit]

Infections caused by A. viscosus are typically treated with antibiotics. Penicillin is the drug of choice, but other antibiotics such as amoxicillin, clindamycin, and doxycycline may also be effective. In cases of actinomycosis, prolonged antibiotic therapy is often required.

Prevention[edit]

Good oral hygiene practices, including regular tooth brushing and flossing, can help prevent the overgrowth of A. viscosus and the development of dental plaque. Regular dental check-ups are also important for maintaining oral health and preventing periodontal disease.

Research[edit]

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the role of A. viscosus in the oral microbiome and its interactions with other microbial species. Studies are also exploring the potential for targeted therapies to disrupt plaque formation and prevent periodontal disease.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{PAGENAME}} - a species of anaerobic, gram positive, rod shaped bacteria assigned to the phylum actinobacteria. This bacteria is catalase positive, non acid fast, urease and gelatinase negative, ferments lactose and hydrolyzes esculin. A. Viscosus is a commensal organism of the human oral cavity.
+{{Infobox bacteria
-{{med-stub}}
+| name = Actinomyces viscosus
-{{dictionary-stub2}}
+| domain = [[Bacteria]]
-{{short-articles-ni}}
+| phylum = [[Actinomycetota]]
+| classis = [[Actinomycetia]]
+| ordo = [[Actinomycetales]]
+| familia = [[Actinomycetaceae]]
+| genus = ''[[Actinomyces]]''
+| species = '''''A. viscosus'''''
+| binomial = ''Actinomyces viscosus''
+| binomial_authority = [[Howell]], 1965
+}}
+'''''Actinomyces viscosus''''' is a species of [[Gram-positive]] bacteria within the genus ''[[Actinomyces]]''. It is known for its role in [[oral microbiology]] and its association with [[dental plaque]] and [[periodontal disease]].
+==Morphology and Characteristics==
+''Actinomyces viscosus'' is a [[facultative anaerobe]], meaning it can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. It is a non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium that appears as filamentous rods under the microscope. The cells are typically 0.5-0.8 µm in diameter and can form branching networks.
+==Habitat==
+''A. viscosus'' is commonly found in the [[oral cavity]] of humans and animals. It is a normal inhabitant of the [[dental plaque]] biofilm and is involved in the early stages of plaque formation. It can also be found in the [[gastrointestinal tract]] and [[urogenital tract]] of some animals.
+==Pathogenicity==
+''Actinomyces viscosus'' is primarily associated with [[oral health]] issues. It is implicated in the development of [[periodontal disease]], [[gingivitis]], and [[dental caries]]. The bacterium contributes to the formation of [[dental plaque]] by adhering to the tooth surface and producing extracellular polysaccharides that facilitate the attachment of other bacteria.
+===Periodontal Disease===
+In [[periodontal disease]], ''A. viscosus'' plays a role in the inflammation and destruction of the [[periodontium]], the tissues that support the teeth. It is often found in association with other pathogenic bacteria in the [[subgingival plaque]] of patients with [[periodontitis]].
+===Dental Caries===
+''A. viscosus'' can contribute to the development of [[dental caries]] by producing [[acid]] as a metabolic byproduct, which demineralizes the [[enamel]] and [[dentin]] of teeth.
+==Clinical Significance==
+While ''A. viscosus'' is primarily associated with oral diseases, it can also cause [[actinomycosis]], a chronic granulomatous infection, particularly in [[immunocompromised]] individuals. Actinomycosis can affect various body sites, including the [[cervicofacial]], [[thoracic]], and [[abdominal]] regions.
+==Diagnosis==
+The diagnosis of infections caused by ''A. viscosus'' involves [[microbiological culture]] and [[microscopy]]. The bacterium can be isolated from clinical specimens using selective media under anaerobic conditions. [[Gram staining]] and [[molecular techniques]] such as [[PCR]] can aid in identification.
+==Treatment==
+Infections caused by ''A. viscosus'' are typically treated with [[antibiotics]]. [[Penicillin]] is the drug of choice, but other antibiotics such as [[amoxicillin]], [[clindamycin]], and [[doxycycline]] may also be effective. In cases of actinomycosis, prolonged antibiotic therapy is often required.
+==Prevention==
+Good [[oral hygiene]] practices, including regular [[tooth brushing]] and [[flossing]], can help prevent the overgrowth of ''A. viscosus'' and the development of dental plaque. Regular [[dental check-ups]] are also important for maintaining oral health and preventing periodontal disease.
+==Research==
+Ongoing research is focused on understanding the role of ''A. viscosus'' in the [[oral microbiome]] and its interactions with other microbial species. Studies are also exploring the potential for targeted therapies to disrupt plaque formation and prevent periodontal disease.
+==See Also==
+* [[Actinomyces]]
+* [[Periodontal disease]]
+* [[Dental plaque]]
+* [[Oral microbiology]]
+{{Bacteria}}
+[[Category:Actinomycetales]]
+[[Category:Gram-positive bacteria]]
+[[Category:Oral microbiology]]