Characteristics of a gram-negative anaerobe isolated from men with non-gonococcal urethritis

Abstract

SUMMARY. A small, fastidious gram-negative anaerobe was isolated from men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). The isolates are described as NGU-associated anaerobes because they were extremely rare in men with urethritis other than NGU, and in asymptomatic men. They showed twitching motility, had many polar pili and appeared to be a homogenous group culturally, morphologically and biochemically. None of the strains fermented or utilised carbohydrates or organic acids as sole sources of carbon for energy and growth. However, growth of all strains was stimulated by formate and fumarate in liquid and solid media, especially in the former where growth seemed dependent on these growth factors. Unlike most anaerobes they produced cytochrome enzyme(s) that might be involved in oxidation-reduction reactions in the presence of oxygen as some of the strains were capable of growing in 5% oxygen. However, growth and energy generally resulted from anaerobic phosphorylation. Strains of this anaerobe seemed to require a low redox-potential (Eh) for survival during transportation but this was not essential for growth. Comparative studies with the other asaccharolytic anaerobes showed some similarity between the NGU-associated anaerobe, Bacteroides ureolyticus and Wolinella succinogenes. Like these, some NGU-associated strains pitted agar media and all produced urease. However, unlike these anaerobes, strains of the NGU-associated anaerobe produced enzymes for the hydrolysis of arginine, and the decarboxylation of lysine and orni thine. They also produced oxidase and some strains haemolysed sheep red cells. However, lactic acid was not an end-product of the metabolism of glucose by any of the strains. The NGU-associated anaerobes are strikingly different from anaerobic vibrios, B. praeacutus and B. asaccharolyticus.

Pathogenic Potential of Campylobacter ureolyticus

“…The bacteria has also been reported to be present in amniotic fluid and the genital tract of humans (5)(6)(7)(8). In addition, C. ureolyticus has commonly been isolated from patients suffering from periodontal disease, a disease which involves inflammatory and destructive conditions of the tissues surrounding the teeth (6).…”

Detection of plasmids in strains of Bacteroides ureolyticus isolated from the genital tract

“…ureolyticus (Fontaine et al 1986), which had been iso-lated from the urethra of men with NGU, and the type strain (NCTC 10941), were examined. The organisms were grown and maintained as described previously (Fontaine et al 1984).…”

“…Bacteroides ureolyticus, a urease-positive, obligately anaerobic organism, occurs frequently in lower genital-tract infections and is probably responsible for some cases of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men (Fontaine et al 1982;Hawkins et al 1988). It has also been isolated from necrotic or gangrenous lesions, perianal abscesses, soft tissue infections and ulcers and lesions of the lower limbs (Duerden et al 1982).…”

Restriction endonuclease analysis and ribotyping differentiate genital and nongenital strains of Bacteroides ureolyticus

“…It has been reported to be isolated in mixed cultures from infections of virtually every organ system in humans (22). In particular, it was previously thought to be associated with male nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) (12,14,17). Fontaine et al (14) reported the isolation of a gram-negative, non-spore-forming, anaerobic bacillus from 50% of men with NGU and 13% of men without disease.…”