Acinetobacteria

The genus Acinetobacter (6 species) includes gram-negative rods, usually very short and rounded, their dimensions in the logarithmic growth phase are 1.0-1.5 x 1.5-2.5 μm. In the stationary phase of growth, they predominantly take the form of cocci, arranged in pairs or in the form of short chains. Large unstable forms of cells and filaments are found in small numbers in all cultures, and sometimes predominate. These bacteria do not form a spore, they do not have flagella, but some strains on the dense surface show "twitching" mobility. Capsules and pili may be, but may be absent. Chemoorganotrophs with oxidative metabolism. The ability to use organic compounds as sources of energy and carbon is unstable. Oxidases do not form, catalase positive. Acetoin, indole and H2S do not form. Strict aerobes, the optimum temperature for growth is 30-32 ° C, the pH is about 7.0. They are usually resistant to penicillin. The ratio of G + C in DNA is 40-47 mole%.

Aceteobacteria are free-living saprophytes, common everywhere. Acinetobacter is often isolated from soil, water, sewage, contaminated food, from the mucous membranes of animals (including fish) and humans. They can be the cause of many infectious processes, including meningitis and septicemia in humans and septicemia and abortion in animals. Their main habitat is soil and water. Pathogenicity is usually low, but can play an important clinical role for people and their organs with weakened natural resistance. It is also possible that there is more than one ecological variant of Acinetobacter, including parasitic or potentially pathogenic variants of A. Calcoaceticus for animals and humans. The absence of oxidase is a sign that the bacteria of this genus differ from the oxydase-positive genus Moraxella, including the subgenus Branhamella.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]