The spelling of "Bacteroides corrodens" can seem complicated due to the use of scientific terminology. It is pronounced /bækˌtɪərɔɪdz kəˈrəʊdɛnz/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Breaking it down, the first syllable is "back," followed by "tir," pronounced like "tier." The third syllable is "oy," like the word "boy," and the fourth syllable is "dz." The second word, "corrodens," is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable and the "s" at the end. Despite its complex spelling, the word refers to a bacterium commonly found in the human mouth.
Bacteroides corrodens is a species of gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that belongs to the phylum Bacteroidetes. It is commonly found in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract of humans.
These bacteria are small, rod-shaped organisms with rounded ends that typically grow in pairs or short chains. They are non-spore forming and do not possess any flagella for motility. Bacteroides corrodens is known for its distinctive feature of corroding agar, which gives it its name.
Bacteroides corrodens is considered a pathogenic bacterium as it has been associated with various infections in humans. It can cause infections in the oral cavity, including periodontal diseases and gingivitis. Additionally, it has been identified as a causative agent in respiratory tract infections, brain abscesses, and infections of the abdomen, particularly in cases of intra-abdominal infections.
These bacteria are usually found in polymicrobial infections rather than in isolation. Bacteroides corrodens can form biofilms, which are complex communities of bacterial cells attached to surfaces and protected by an extracellular matrix. These biofilms enhance the bacteria's resistance to antibiotics and help in the formation of dental plaque, making it harder to eradicate the infection.
Treatment of infections caused by Bacteroides corrodens often involves the use of antibiotics such as metronidazole, clindamycin, or a beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination. However, these bacteria are known for their ability to develop resistance to multiple antibiotics, requiring careful selection of appropriate treatment options.
The word "Bacteroides" originates from the Greek words "bakterion" meaning "rod" and "eidos" meaning "form" or "shape". It refers to the rod-shaped structure of the bacteria.
The word "corrodens" comes from the Latin word "corrodere" which means "to gnaw" or "to corrode". This term was added to describe one of the unique characteristics of Bacteroides corrodens, which has the ability to corrode or erode tissues.