Anaerobiospirillum succiniproducens rarely isolated in the clinical laboratory. Septicemia appears to be the most frequently reported infection caused by Anaerobiospirillum followed by gastroenteritis. This strictly anaerobic, motile, gram-negative spiral bacterium is often mistaken for Campylobacter species when first encountered. Rapid identification is imperative as Erythromycin, effective against Campylobacter and antibiotics such as Penicillin or Metronidazole, frequently prescribed against anaerobic infections are ineffective against Anaerobiospirillum.
Entry into the body seems to be through the gastro-intestinal tract and may result in bacteraemia (bacteria in the blood). Gastrointestinal symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and rectal bleeding. Infection usually occurs when the patient already has some chronic underlying disorder.
The photomicrograph above is from a laboratory culture of the organism after it was initially isolated from the blood of a patient returning from overseas. A modified Leifson flagella stain was employed which stained the organisms red. The stain condensed around the very fine flagella making them visible under the light microscope. The flagella are whip like projections or tails which the organism uses to propel itself. Here you can see that there is a tuft of flagella on both ends of the bacterium. x1000 magnification.
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