Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Readers should not confuse the bacterial genus Tropheryma with the
similar sounding term Taphrinomycotina,
the fungal class that
includes
Pneumocystis (Class Ascomycota, Chapter 36).
Actinobacteria
Actinomycetales
Propionibacteriaceae
*Propionibacterium
Class Propionibacteriaceae is named for a particular metabolic talent, propionic
acid synthesis. Species in the class live in the intestinal tracts of various
animals. In humans, species of Genus Propionibacterium are commensals that
live within sweat glands. Some cases of acne and other skin conditions have
been attributed to propionibacteria.
Actinobacteria
Actinomycetales
Streptosporangineae
Thermomonosporaceae
*Actinomadura
Genus Actinomadura contains species found in soil. These filamentous
organisms were previously mistaken for fungal hyphae. The inflammatory
skin condition, most commonly occurring on the foot, and caused by bacterial
species of the Actinomadura genus, were given the fungal misnomers actino-
mycetoma and maduromycosis. Actinomadura madurae, like Nocardiosis
brasiliensis (see above), has been implicated in some cases of mycetoma. A full
discussion of mycetoma is found under Genus Neotestudina (Ascomycota,
Chapter 36).
Persons who are immune-compromised may have heightened susceptibil-
ity to systemic infections with Actinomadura species [62].
Actinobacteria
Bifidobacteriale
Bifidobacteriaceae
*Gardnerella
Gardnerella vaginalis is the only pathogenic species of Genus Gardnerella.
It is sexually transmitted and colonizes the genital mucosa without producing
active disease in most women. Overgrowth of Gardnerella vaginalis results
in a condition known as vaginosis, producing vaginitis accompanied by a
frothy discharge. Gardnerella overgrowth can be observed in routine Pap
smears as tiny organisms matting the surface of flattened squamous epithelial
cells (so-called “clue cells”).
Infectious species:
Actinomyces gerencseriae (dental plaque)
Actinomyces israelii (actinomycosis)
