''Fusobacterium'' is a genus of anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming bacteria belonging to Gracilicutes. Individual cells are slender, rod-shaped bacilli with pointed ends. Strains of ''Fusobacterium'' cause several human diseases, including periodontal diseases, Lemierre's syndrome, and topical skin ulcers. Although older sources state that ''Fusobacterium'' is part of the normal flora of the human oropharynx, the current consensus is that ''Fusobacterium'' should always be treated as a pathogen. ''F. prausnitzii'', a gut commensal associated with healthy patients, was completely reclassified as '' Faecalibacterium'' (''Clostridiales'':''Ruminococcaceae'') in 2002.

Clinical relevance

''Fusobacterium'' is often associated with ulcerative colitis. Research of

colon cancer Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel mo ...

has also shown an overrepresentation of ''Fusobacterium'', both in feces of patients and tumor issue itself. Whether ''Fusobacterium'' causes these diseases or only colonizes existing tumours, remains undetermined. The bacterium is a big anchor for biofilms. It is usually susceptible to

clindamycin Clindamycin is an antibiotic medication used for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections, including osteomyelitis (bone) or joint infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, strep throat, pneumonia, acute otitis media (middle ear infec ...

, while approximately 20% of the clinical strains are resistant to

penicillin Penicillins (P, PCN or PEN) are a group of β-lactam antibiotics originally obtained from ''Penicillium'' moulds, principally '' P. chrysogenum'' and '' P. rubens''. Most penicillins in clinical use are synthesised by P. chrysogenum using ...

. In contrast to '' Bacteroides'' spp., ''Fusobacterium'' has a potent lipopolysaccharide.

Phylogeny

References

External links

''Anaerobic Gram-Negative Bacilli'' chapter
in Baron's ''Medical Microbiology'' (online at the NCBIbr>bookshelf
.
''Fusobacterium''
From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource {{Taxonbar, from=Q2720082 Gut flora bacteria Fusobacteriota Bacteria genera

Clinical relevance

Phylogeny

See also

References

External links