This week we’re beginning a new section of Gram-positive rods…
👉 Anaerobic Gram-Positive Rods
Our first organism is Actinomyces.
🧠 Key Characteristics
• Gram-positive branching filamentous rods
• Anaerobic (or microaerophilic depending on the species)
• Non-spore-forming
• Not acid-fast
• Normal flora of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract
🔬 Why is it important?
Actinomyces can cause chronic infections that form draining sinus tracts and produce sulfur granules, making it a classic organism to recognize in both the laboratory and on microbiology exams.
💡 High-Yield Memory Tip
Think:
🦷 Poor dental hygiene
🟡 Sulfur granules
🌿 Branching Gram-positive rods
🚫 Not acid-fast
We’ll break down how to identify and differentiate Actinomyces throughout the week. 🔬