8.11E: Fusobacteria
- Describe the role of Fusobacterium in Lemierre’s syndrome
Fusobacteria are a genus of bacteria categorized as gram-negative with similarities to Bacteroides. Fusobacteria are rod-shaped bacilli capable of thriving in anaerobic conditions. However, in contrast to Bacteroides, Fusobacterium have a potent lipopolysaccharide that can function as an endotoxin. The Fusobacterium are associated with infection and disease including periodontal diseases, topical skin ulcers and Lemierres’s syndrome. Fusobacterium are difficult to identify in the laboratory due to their asaccharolytic nature. However, the use of novel molecular biology techniques has allowed for the the identification of new species that are included in Fusobacterium. The diseases attributed to Fusobacterium infection involve symptoms that include tissue necrosis, septicemia, intra-amniotic infections and ulcers.
A specific disease caused by Fusobacteria includes Lemierres’s syndrome. Lemierres’s syndrome is also known as postanginal sepsis and is a form of thrombophlebitis. Thrombophlebitis is inflammation caused by a blood clot. In individuals infected with Fusobacterium necrophorum and additonal Fusobacterium as well, a sore develops in the throat due to infection by a bacterium of the Streptococcus genus. Once this sore develops into a peritonsillar abscess, the pocket is filled with pus and bacteria in close proximity to the tonsils. At this point, bacteria which are capable of thriving in anaerobic conditions, such as Fusobacterium necrophorum can flourish deep in the abscess. At this point, the bacteria are able to pass into the neighboring jugular vein and cause an infected clot to form. The bacteria are then able to circulate throughout the body via the bloodstream and pieces of the blood clot will dissociate from the original site and travel to the lungs. The pieces of the clot will settle in the lungs and block branches of the pulmonary artery, resulting in shortness of breath, chest pain and pneumonia. Fusobacteria are normal flora within the oropharyngeal and can clearly result in disease if conditions are optimal.
Key Points
- Fusobacterium flourish in anaerobic conditions.
- Fucosbacterium necrophorum are responsible for causing Lemierre’s syndrome which is characterized by thrombophlebitis.
- Identification of Fusobacterium within the laboratory is difficult due to their asaccharolytic nature; however, advancements in molecular technology has resulted in identification of numerous species.
Key Terms
- periodontal disease : disease surrounding a tooth
- asaccharolytic : incapable of metabolizing carbohydrates
- septicemia : presence of pathogenic organisms in the bloodstream leading to sepsis