Bacteria are single celled organisms which are invisible to the naked eye and may be seen only by way of a microscope. They’re discovered everywhere and can survive in any type of environment. Bacteria are of distinct shapes and are measured in micro-meter (a millionth component of a meter). There are different kinds of bacteria, classified based on their characteristics. Anaerobic is one such classification of bacteria. Let’s take a look at anaerobic bacteria in detail.

Anaerobic bacteria or anaerobes are a class of bacteria that can survive without having oxygen for growth. There are three anaerobic bacteria types – obligate anaerobes, are bacteria which can not survive within the presence of oxygen, aerotolerant anaerobes, that do not use oxygen for growth but can tolerate its presence, and facultative anaerobes, that could grow without having oxygen but can use oxygen if it’s present. Some anaerobic bacteria are dangerous to human beings and can trigger various kinds of diseases.

Anaerobic Bacteria Examples

Given below is an anaerobic bacteria list with examples.

E. coli (Escherichia Coli) – E. coli is really a facultative anaerobe (which can survive without having oxygen) that is named following its discoverer Theodor Escherich. It is a common bacterium and is identified in the intestinal tract of human beings, birds and other mammals. E. coli can cause acute respiratory problems, diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Among the many kinds of E. coli that are discovered, E. coli 0157:H7 is the most toxic. The existence of this bacteria was discovered in the 1980s, when there was an outbreak of food poisoning caused as a result of undercooked beef in contaminated hamburgers. Shiga toxin, produced by this bacterium is one of the most potent poisons and is lethal for human beings.

Bacteroides – These are aerotolerant anaerobes that could infect a number of parts of the human body like the peritoneal cavity and also the female urogenital tract. But some species of bacteroides are advantageous to human beings.

Clostridium Genus – These are obligate anaerobes, which appear as rod shaped when observed under the microscope. There are 3 kinds of bacteria discovered under Clostridium genus.C. botulinum, is normally found in improperly handled meats and produces the deadliest toxin inside the world, botulinum.C. tetani, is discovered as parasites within the gastrointestinal tract of animals and as spores within the soil. It produces a toxin referred to as tetanospasmin, which causes tetanus, a disease which creates painful muscle spasms leading to respiratory failure.C. perfringens, earlier known as C. welchii, may be discovered in dead, decaying vegetation, marine sediments and in the human intestinal tract. It causes infections like food poisoning, gas gangrene and tissue necrosis.Staphylococcus genus – These are facultative anaerobes and are found on the mucous membranes or human skin. 1 type of Staphylococcus aureus causes a range of infections from ordinary infections like boils, acne etc. to life threatening infections like meningitis, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) etc.

Anaerobic Bacterial Infection
There are a variety of types of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. Some of them have been listed below:Sexually transmitted illnesses (STDs) like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by anaerobic bacteria.Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) causes sinus infections in human beings.Several other anaerobic bacteria also trigger cold, fever, ear infections etc.Read much more on:Bacterial Throat InfectionBacterial Infection in MenBacterial BronchitisAnaerobic Bacteria Treatment
Infectious diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria may be treated as follows:One ought to maintain proper hygiene in order to steer clear of bacterial infections. Keeping surroundings clean and dirt totally free is essential.Eating a healthy diet plan and increasing fluid intake will assist ward off bacterial infections.Taking antibiotics like penicillin, quinolone, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, etc. will help cure bacterial infections.Should you be affected by any of the above infections, it’s advisable to seek medical aid right away.Though some anaerobic bacteria are dangerous, they play an critical role of maintaining balance within the environment by keeping it clean.