Gram-positive Anaerobic Bacteria Research Articles

Isolation and toxin gene detection of Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile from traditional and commercial quail farms and packed quail meat for market supply - Short communication.

Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile is a Gram-positive anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium and the main cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in humans. In recent years, the transmission of C. difficile from environmental reservoirs (e.g. food) to humans has become a major focus of research. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and corresponding toxin genes of C. difficile in faecal samples and meat of quails. Thirty samples of packed quail meat in Mashhad, Iran and 500 faecal samples (pooled to n = 5) were collected on quail farms in the Northeastern Khorasan region for further investigation. Of 100 pooled quail faecal samples 10% showed cultural growth of C. difficile. In meat samples two out of 30 specimens (7%) showed cultural growth. In six of ten isolates from faecal samples toxin genes (tcdB and tcdA) were present, while four isolates harboured no toxin genes. However, in meat isolates no toxin genes were present. Mutations in the tcdC gene were not detected, indicating that 'hypervirulent' strains such as RT027 and RT078 were not present. The data suggest that quail and quail products might hold a potential for the spread of C. difficile.

Corynebacterium dentalis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from dental plaque of a woman with periodontitis.

Strain Marseille-P4122T is a new species from the order Corynebacteriales that was isolated from the dental plaque of a woman with periodontitis. It is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium. Strain Marseille-P4122T exhibited a 98.19% sequence identity with Corynebacterium suicordis strain P81/02, the phylogenetically closely related species with standing in nomenclature. The draft genome size of strain Marseille-P4122T is 2.49 Mb with 60.1% G + C content. We propose that strain Marseille-P4122T (=CSURP4122) is the type strain of the new species Corynebacterium dentalis sp. nov.

Persistent Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) During Chemotherapy.

Prophylactic or therapeutic antibiotic use along with chemotherapy treatment potentially has a long-standing adverse effect on the resident gut microbiota. We have established a case-control cohort of 32 pediatric and adolescent acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and 25 healthy siblings (sibling controls) to assess the effect of chemotherapy as well as antibiotic prophylaxis on the gut microbiota. We observe that the microbiota diversity and richness of the ALL group is significantly lower than that of the control group at diagnosis and during chemotherapy. The microbiota diversity is even lower in antibiotics-exposed ALL patients. Although the gut microbial diversity tends to stabilize after 1-year post-chemotherapy, their abundances were altered because of chemotherapy and prophylactic antibiotic treatments. Specifically, the abundances of mucolytic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, including Ruminococcus gnavus and Ruminococcus torques, tended to increase during the chemotherapy regimen and continued to be elevated 1 year beyond the initiation of chemotherapy. This dysbiosis may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal complications in ALL children following chemotherapy. These findings set the stage to further understand the role of the gut microbiome dynamics in ALL patients and their potential role in alleviating some of the adverse side effects of chemotherapy and antibiotics use in immunocompromised children.

Indigo Naturalis Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice by Modulating the Intestinal Microbiota Community.

Indigo naturalis (IN) is a traditional Chinese medicine, named Qing-Dai, which is extracted from indigo plants and has been used to treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China and Japan. Though there are notable effects of IN on colitis, the mechanisms remain elusive. Regarding the significance of alterations of intestinal flora related to IBD and the poor water solubility of the blue IN powder, we predicted that the protective action of IN on colitis may occur through modifying gut microbiota. To investigate the relationships of IN, colitis, and gut microbiomes, a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice colitis model was tested to explore the protective effects of IN on macroscopic colitis symptoms, the histopathological structure, inflammation cytokines, and gut microbiota, and their potential functions. Sulfasalazine (SASP) was used as the positive control. Firstly, because it was a mixture, the main chemical compositions of indigo and indirubin in IN were detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The clinical activity score (CAS), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining results, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results in this study showed that IN greatly improved the health conditions of the tested colitis mice, ameliorated the histopathological structure of the colon tissue, down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines. The results of 16S rDNA sequences analysis with the Illumina MiSeq platform showed that IN could modulate the balance of gut microbiota, especially by down-regulating the relative quantity of Turicibacter and up-regulating the relative quantity of Peptococcus. The therapeutic effect of IN may be closely related to the anaerobic gram-positive bacteria of Turicibacter and Peptococcus. The inferred metagenomes from 16S data using PICRUSt demonstrated that decreased metabolic genes, such as through biosynthesis of siderophore group nonribosomal peptides, non-homologous end-joining, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis of lacto and neolacto series, may maintain microbiota homeostasis during inflammation from IN treatment in DSS-induced colitis.

Propionate, together with triple antibiotics, inhibits the growth of Enterococci.

Enterococci are Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacteria that colonize the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. Enterococcal infections, mainly caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, include apical periodontitis, endocarditis, and bloodstream infections. Recently, vancomycinresistant Enterococci are considered major pathogens that are common but difficult to treat, especially in nosocomial settings. Moreover, E. faecalis is closely associated with recurrent endodontic infections and failed endodontic treatment. In this study, we investigated the effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are metabolites fermented by gut microbiota, on the growth of Enterococci. Enterococci were cultured in the presence or absence of acetate, propionate, or butyrate, and the optical density at 600 nm was measured to determine bacterial growth. The minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum bactericidal concentration test was conducted. Bacteria were treated with a SCFA, together with clinically used endodontic treatment methods such as triple antibiotics (metronidazole, minocycline, and ciprofloxacin) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) to determine the effects of combination treatment. Of the SCFAs, propionate had a bacteriostatic effect, inhibiting the growth of E. faecalis in a dose-dependent manner and also that of clinical strains of E. faecalis isolated from dental plaques. Meanwhile, acetate and butyrate had minimal effects on E. faecalis growth. Moreover, propionate inhibited the growth of other Enterococci including E. faecium. In addition, combination treatment of propionate and triple antibiotics led to further growth inhibition, whereas no cooperative effect was observed at propionate plus CHX. These results indicate that propionate attenuates the growth of Enterococci, suggesting propionate as a potential agent to control Enterococcal infections, especially when combined with triple antibiotics.

Butyrate as a Potential Preventive Therapy for Obesity

Due to its grave pathological role of obesity, comprehensive research is being continued to find out the causative factors involved in it. Recent advances in this field are increasingly recognized that there is a connection between diet, gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function and the low-grade inflammation that characterize the progression from obesity to metabolic disturbances, making dietary strategies to modulate the intestinal environment is important. In this context, the ability of some Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria to produce the shortchain fatty acid butyrate is impressive. A lower abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria has been associated with metabolic risk in humans. Recent studies suggest that butyrate might have been linked with metabolic risk in humans, and recommend that butyrate might have an anti-inflammatory mediator in metabolic diseases, and the potential of butyrate can alleviate obesity-related metabolic complications, possibly due to its ability to enhance the intestinal barrier function. Endogenous butyrate synthesis, delivery, and absorption by colonocytes have been well studied. Butyrate exerts its function by serving as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor or signaling through several G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). Latterly butyrate has gained selective attention for its favorable effects on intestinal homeostasis and energy metabolism. With anti-inflammatory properties, butyrate improves intestinal barrier function and mucosal immunity. Growing proof has highlighted the influence of butyrate on obesity. In this review the current knowledge on the features of butyrate, especially its potential effects and mechanisms involved in intestinal health and obesity. Here we review and discuss the potentials of butyrate as an anti-inflammatory mediator in obesity and the potential for dietary interventions increasing intestinal availability of butyrate.

Papülopüstüler lezyonlarla başvuran pediatrik lösemi hastasında nokardiya enfeksiyonu

Nocardia is an anaerobic gram-positive bacterium and it is transmitted through inhalation of spores or by direct injection. Nocardia generally does not cause infections in healthy individuals, the agent may become pathogenic in the presence of malignant diseases that impair cellular immunity, and in individuals who are treated with steroids or immunosuppressives. Case reports related to Nocardia farcinica infections generally describe older patients. Herein; we report a patient, who were receiving maintance chemotheraphy for acute lympholastic leukemia (ALL), admitted with papulopustular lesions otherwise normal physical findings but later diagnosed pulmonary and cutaneous Nocardia farcinica infection. The initiation of empirical therapy before the appearance of clinical signs in these patients can potentially cure Nocardia infections, which are otherwise associated with a high rate of mortality.

Transcalvarial and Transdural Involvement of Skull Actinomycosis with Recurrence

AbstractActinomycosis is caused by anaerobic gram-positive bacteria of Actinomyces genus, generally found as commensals in the human body and infection occurs when the immune system is compromised. We present the case of a 35-year-old diabetic woman, who presented with headache and sudden onset of left-sided weakness apart from scalp swelling, which on imaging showed transcalvarial transdural involvement, and subsequent surgical debridement and histopathologic analysis confirmed actinomycosis. Follow-up showed recurrence of the lesion at the same site following a period of remission. Calvarial involvement of actinomycosis is rare and can mimic even neoplastic or malignant lesions, hence requiring prompt diagnosis, treatment with surgery, and long-term antibiotic treatment to prevent complications.

Epidemiological Characterization of Clostridium Difficile Infections in a Rural Community Setting

Abstract Clostridium difficile is a microorganism - a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that has developed and hyperspecialized the ability to form spores. Outside the host, Clostridium difficile germinates spores which are resistant to unfavorable environment and for an extremely long time period. Clostridium difficile infection frequently occurs on a background of major disturbances in the balance of the normal intestinal flora caused by use for therapeutic purposes of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Patients infected with Clostridium difficile in medical facilities are usually elderly people, immunosuppressed or subjected to an antibiotic medication regimen. Wide-scale community use of antibiotics and proton-pump inhibitors induces favorable conditions for the germination of Clostridium difficile spores in the gastrointestinal tract. Clostridium difficile biocolonizes many domestic and wild animals. Clostridium difficile is a complex bacterium, capable of developing resistance forms that parasitize the gastrointestinal tract of humans, and also many animals. An important source of the Clostridium difficile infection is represented primarily by antibiotic medication administered in communities without medical recommendation, as well as food.

Tobacco Smoking Affects the Salivary Gram-Positive Bacterial Population.

The microbial communities of the oral fluid are in direct contact with tobacco smoke, which may thus affect these communities. Few culture-based studies have analyzed the effects of tobacco smoking on the oral fluid microbiota. Using bacterial culture we investigated whether tobacco smoking altered the microbial diversity of the oral fluid, focusing on aerobic and facultative anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria otherwise comprising of major pathogens. Among 90 oral fluid specimens collected in 19 tobacco-smokers and 71 controls, the diversity did not significantly differ with age and with sex. However, diversity was significantly lower in tobacco-smokers (nine different species) than in non-smokers (18 different species) with all the species cultured in tabocco-smokers being also cultured in non-smokers. We isolated the human pathogen Streptococcus australis for the first time from oral fluid. Tobacco smoking significantly alters the saliva Gram-positive bacterial microbiota, including pathogens with potential implication in the pathogenesis of tobacco-related diseases such as periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

DAYA ANTIBAKTERI EKSTRAK IKAN TERI JENGKI (Stolephorus insularis) TERHADAP Enterococcus faecalis

Backgrounds : Enterococcus faecalis is a facultative anaerobic gram-positive bacteria that known to have a role in the infection of the root canal, causing the failure of root canal treatment. The extract from anchovy (Stolephorus insularis) contains fluor has antibacterial properties that can inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria and has the potential to be developed as a root canal sterilization agent. Purpose : To determine the antibacterial effect of anchovy (Stolephorus insularis) extract to the Enterococcus faecalis. Methods : This study was an true experimental study with post test only control group design and were tested by diffusion methods, consisted of 5 groups: 2 control groups DMSO 1% as negative control and ChKM as positive control, 3 treatment groups of anchovy (Stolephorus insularis) extract with different concentrations of 18%, 24% and 30% which each group consisted of 5 samples. Antivbacterial effect was examined by measuring the clear zone around the filter paper. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test followed by LSD test. Results : Results of this study proved the presence of antibacterial effects of anchovy (Stolephorus insularis) extract to the Enterococcus faecalis. In this study, the higher concentrations used, the greater the antibacterial effect. Average inhibition zone of each groups: DMSO 1% (6,03 mm), ChKM (14,18 mm), 18%(6,83 mm), 24%(7,03 mm) and 30%(7,16 mm). Conclusion : Anchovy (Stolephorus insularis) extract has antibacterial effect to the Enterococcus faecalis.

A CASE OF BRAIN ABSCESS CAUSED BY ACTINOMYCES MIMICKING GLIOMA: A RARE PRESENTATION

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic and slowly progressive granulomatous disease, caused by filamentous Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria from Actinomycetaceae family (genus Actinomyces) belonging to endogenous flora of mucous membranes. Actinomycosis infection to the Central Nervous System is generally secondary to hematogenous dissemination from the primary infection in the lung, abdomen, pelvis or by continuity in a cervical, oral or facial infection, since it is closely related to mycobacteria in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Actinomyces abscess of the brain can at times be confused with space-occupying lesions (SOL), tuberculosis as was seen in this case. A biopsy is essential for the diagnosis as if treated early these patients have a good prognosis. We present a case of 28 years male presented with frontal SOL which came out as actinomycosis on biopsy.

Nitroimidazole-containing compounds and their antibacterial and antitubercular activities

Infections especially tuberculosis caused by various bacteria including mycobacteria result in millions of lives every year, but the control of bacterial infections is challenged by the limitation of effective pharmaceuticals against drug-resistant pathogens. Nitroimidazoles belong to a group of nitroheterocyclic compounds that have broad-spectrum activity against a series of organisms such as mycobacteria, anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and some of them have already been used in clinics or under clinical trials for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this review, we made an overview of the recent advances in nitroimidazole-containing compounds with antibacterial and antitubercular activity in the recent 20 years.

Działanie in vitro olejku cyprysowego (Oleum Cupressi) na bakterie beztlenowe

Introduction. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) belongs to the family Cupressaceae. It is evergreen, and grows in Mediterranean region. The Cypress leaves and young branches are utilized to produce the essential oil. Cypress oil contain a number of components, in it α-pinene, Δ3-carene, α-terpinyl acetate, cedrol, α-terpinolene, β-myrcene, limonene, α-terpineolene, terpinen-4-ol, β-pinene, δ-cadinene and sabinene. The oil is used in therapy different diseases. It to have antimicrobial activity. Aim. The aim of the date was evaluation the susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria to Cypress oil. Material and methods. The anaerobic bacteria were isolated from patients. The 62 microorganisms, in it 36 strains of Gram-negative rods, 14 Gram-positive cocci and 12 Gram-positive rods, and 7 reference strains were tested. Susceptibility (MIC) was determined by means of plate dilution technique in Brucella agar supplemented with 5% defibrynated sheep blood, menadione and hemin. The Cypress oil was dissolved in DMSO and distilled water to obtain final following concentrations: 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 mg/ml. Inoculum containing 106 CFU per 1 ml was seeded with Steers replicator upon the agar with oil or without the oil (strains growth control). The agar plates was incubated in anaerobic condition in anaerobic jar in 37°C for 48 hrs. The MIC was interpreted as the lowest concentration of Cypress oil inhibiting the growth of tested bacteria. Results. The results indicated that from among Gram-negative rods the most susceptible to Cypress oil was the strains from genus Tannerella forsythia (MIC < 2.5-5.0 mg/ml), Bacteroides uniformis (MIC = 5.0 mg/ml), Bacteroides vulgatus and Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (MIC 5.0-7.5 mg/ml) and Porphyromonas levii (MIC = 7.5 mg/ml). The strains from genera Fusobacterium and of Bacteroides fragilis were the susceptible to 2.5-≥ 20.0 mg/ml. The Cypress oil was least active towards Prevotella and Parabacteroides strains (MIC ≥ 20.0 mg/ml).The tested Gram-positive cocci were more susceptible. The growth of the strains were inhibited by concentrations in ranges ≤ 2.5-7.5 mg/ml. The oil was minor active towards Gram-positive rods (MIC ≤ 2.5-20.0 mg/ml). Among the strains the genus of Actinomyces odontolyticus (MIC = 5.0 mg/ml) and Actinomyces viscosus (MIC ≤ 2.5-7.5 mg/ml) were the most susceptible. The growth of rods of Bifidobacterium breve was inhibited by concentrations 10.0 mg/ml. The data indicates that the Gram-negative rods were the less susceptible than Gram-positive bacteria to cypress oil. Conclusions. Among Gram-negative rods the most susceptible were the strains Tannerella forsythia, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Porphyromonas asaccharolytica and Porphyromonas levii. The oil was more active against Gram-positive cocci. Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria demonstrate the more susceptible to Cypress oil then Gram-positive rods.

Atopobium vaginae: a literature review, on findings and potential clinical implications

Atopobium vaginaeis an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium. It is recognized as a causal agent of bacterial vaginosis onset and occasionally associated to gynaecologic-obstetric complications (including pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, tubo-ovarian abscesses and preterm delivery with neonatal consequences). Additionally, bacteraemia and invasive infections have rarely been reported. The scientific and technological progress allowed an accurate and rapid identification of Atopobium vaginae supporting diagnosis and clinic interventions. In this article, literature has been deeply examined to report the state-of-the-art on Atopobium vaginae, which might be useful in clinical scenarios.

Actinomycotic osteomyelitis of a long bone in an immunocompetent adult: a case report and literature review

BackgroundActinomycosis is a rare, chronic granulomatous disease caused by Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that colonize the oral cavity. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is the most frequent clinical presentation of actinomycosis, but hematogenous osteomyelitis at distant sites can occur in rare instance in immunocompromised or pediatric patients, only a few cases have been reported in healthy patients. Here we described a new case of distal femur osteomyelitis caused by Actinomyces in an adult patient who was immunocompetent and had no predisposing factors.Case presentationA woman aged 52 years with no history of trauma presented with severe pain, swelling, and increased local heat in the proximal area of the right knee 3 weeks after she first noticed discomfort. Magnetic resonance imaging showed persistent osteomyelitis of the distal metaphysis and diaphysis of the femur with a multifocal intraosseous abscess pocket. An incision and drainage of the abscess were conducted. The tissue culture, fungus culture, acid fast bacillus (AFB) culture, AFB smear, and tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction test results were negative. A pathologic examination confirmed the presence of actinomycosis. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous penicillin G for 8 weeks followed by oral amoxicillin-clavulanate for 6 weeks with repeated surgical debridement and drainage. After a 5-year follow up, the patient had no signs of recurring infection or complications and she had full range of movement in the affected knee.ConclusionsAlthough rare, actinomycotic osteomyelitis can occur in healthy people. Furthermore, actinomycotic osteomyelitis is easily misdiagnosed as tuberculosis in areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. To detect and identify the bacteria accurately, pathologic examination should be performed as well as culture tests, because the probability for culture confirmation of actinomycosis is quite low. The initial treatment is vital to a successful outcome without ostectomy or amputation.

Putative Periodontal Pathogens, Filifactor Alocis and Peptoanaerobacter Stomatis, Induce Differential Cytokine and Chemokine Production by Human Neutrophils.

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent infectious disease that affects ~ 50% of the adults in the USA alone. Two Gram-positive anaerobic oral bacteria, Filifactor alocis and Peptoanaerobacter stomatis, have emerged as important periodontal pathogens. Neutrophils are a major component of the innate host response in the gingival tissue, and the contribution of neutrophil-derived cytokines and chemokines plays a central role in disease progression. The pattern of cytokines and chemokines released by human neutrophils upon stimulation with newly appreciated periodontal bacteria compared to the keystone oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis was investigated. Our results showed that both F. alocis and P. stomatis triggered TLR2/6 activation. F. alocis induced significant changes in gene expression of cytokines and chemokines in human neutrophils compared to unstimulated cells. However, except for IL-1ra, neutrophils released lower levels of cytokines and chemokines in response to F. alocis compared to P. stomatis. Furthermore, bacteria-free conditioned supernatant collected from neutrophils challenged with P. stomatis, but not from P. gingivalis or F. alocis, was chemotactic towards both neutrophils and monocytes. Elucidating stimuli-specific modulation of human neutrophil effector functions in the context of dysbiotic microbial community constituents provides valuable information for understanding the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Septic Shock Due to Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium. We present the case of a 75-year-old female presented to the emergency department with progressively worsening acute on chronic left hip pain. It was not until the third day of hospitalization when the initial blood cultures finalized as Clostridium perfringens, antibiotics were changed to piperacillin-tazobactam and clindamycin. Despite the latest measurements, the patient continued getting hypotensive and progressed to multiorgan failure resulting in death by the end of the third day. The recognition of risk factors in addition to gram-positive rod cultures in the setting of septic shock reinforces the importance of appropriate and early empiric antibiotics management and infectious disease consultation to avoid fatal complications.

Wpływ olejku świerkowego (Oleum Picea excelsa) na bakterie beztlenowe

Introduction. Spruce (Picea abies L.) is a member of family Pinaceae. It was known and used in ancient. The tree grown to 50 m height. Produced by conifers etheric oil possesses antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. The major compounds of the spruce oil are: pinene, cadinene and felandrene. It is obtained hydro distillation method. Aim. The aim of the date was to investigate activity of spruce oil against anaerobic bacteria. Material and methods. The 53 of anaerobic bacteria isolated from oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, in it 32 strains of Gram-negative rods, 12 Gram-positive rods and 9 Gram-positive cocci were tested. Moreover investigated 8 reference strains. Susceptibility (MIC) was determined by two-fold dilution technique in Brucella agar with 5% defibrynated sheep blood, menadione and hemin. The spruce oil was dissolved in DMSO and distillated water to obtained a final concentrations 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 mg/ml. The inoculums containing 106 CFU/ml was seeded with Steers replicator upon the surface of agar with oil or without tested essential oil (strains growth control). Incubation the agar plates was performed in anaerobic conditions in anaerobic jars containing 10% C02 , 10% H2 and 80% N2 , palladic catalyst and anaerobic indicator, at 37°C for 48 hrs. The MIC was established as the lowest concentration of the spruce oil that inhibiting the growth of tested anaerobes. Results. The results of these investigations indicated that the most susceptible to spruce oil from Gram-negative bacteria were the strains Prevotella intermedia (MIC 5.0-10.0 mg/ml) and Porphyromonas levii (MIC = 7.5 mg/ml). The growth of strains from genus Bacteroides fragilis was inhibited by concentration > 20.0 mg/ml, and Tannerella forsythia in ranges from 15.0 to > 20.0 mg/ml. The Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible. The growth of 50% of this rods was inhibited in concentration 2.5-7.5 mg/ml. From Gram-positive rods from genus of Actinomyces odontolyticus were the most susceptible. The 75% of the rods were inhibited by spruce oil in concentrations 2.5-7.5 mg/ml. The least sensitive was the strain Actinomyces viscosus (MIC = 15.0 mg/ml). The tested oil was more active on account Gram-positive cocci. The growth was inhibited by concentrations in ranges 2.5-7.5 mg/ml. The Gram-positive cocci were more susceptible than Gram-positive rods. The data indicated that the spruce oil was more active towards Gram-positive rods than Gram-negative anaerobes. Conclusions. From the Gram-negative bacteria the Prevotella rods were the more susceptible to spruce oil. The oil was the less active towards Gram-negative rods from genus Tannerella forsythia. From Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria the Gram-positive cocci were the more susceptible to spruce oil then Gram-positive rods.

Abdominal Actinomycosis Mimicking Colon Cancer.

Introduction: Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare granulomatous inflammatory disease caused by a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium Actinomyces israelii, manifesting as inflammatory mass, or abscess formation. Evolution is slow and steady in inflammatory contiguous extension without limit organ that lends itself to confusion with abdominal malignancies. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on the patients with abdominal actinomycosis operated in the First Surgical Clinic, "St. Spiridon" University Hospital Iasi; between 1980 - 2018 there have been 13 cases (4 men and 9 women) with a mean age 44.07 years admitted for abdominal tumors (7 cases) or pelvic inflammatory disease (6 cases). Results: We identified as predisposing factors: IUD maintained over 10 years (6 cases), foreign bodies 2 cases (a toothpick probably perforated colon, gallstones lost in peritoneum), diabetes (3 cases), immunodepression. All cases were operated by laparotomy (9 cases) or laparoscopic approach (4 cases). We describe five of these cases of actinomycosis that had been mimicking a colon cancer: ileo - cecal - 3 cases, transverse colon - one case and on the greater omentum - one case, followed by specific treatment with penicillin, with good evolution. Conclusions: Abdominal actinomycosis should always be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal tumors. Preoperative diagnosis, difficult but possible, can avoid surgery. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary for the healing of the disease. Postoperative control is mandatory, with relapses possible.