Fusobacterium species

MICROBIOLOGY

  • Anaerobic, Gram-negative bacteria
    • Slender rods with pointed ends [Fig] but sometimes appear pleomorphic (coccoid, spheroid).
      • May grow under anaerobic conditions on a number of media: e.g., CVE (crystal-violet erythromycin) agar, modified chopped meat medium added with 2% agar or Brucella blood agar.
    • Multiple species but usually two account for most human disease:
      • Fusobacterium nucleatum: part of dental plaque flora, also cause of invasive infection of head/neck and elsewhere.
      • F. necrophorum: cause of pharyngotonsillitis, Lemierre syndrome (septic jugular vein thrombophlebitis) and peritonsillar abscess, especially children and young adults
      • Other: F. mortiferum (occasional cause of bacteremia)
    • Fusobacterium spp. are sensitive to colistin and kanamycin, which distinguishes them from Bacteroides and Porphyromonas.
  • Produces significant LPS which may account for virulence.
  • Historically, thought to be part of normal human flora, now some believe to be more likely a pathogen if recovered, especially F. nucleatum.

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Last updated: January 14, 2021