Aims: Actinomyces are dominant soil microflora with potent activity for production of several enzymes and metabolites. In order to increase their survival in the environment these bacteria detoxify the metal ions and consequently produce the nanoparticles. The present study was undertaken to isolate Actinomyces strains from soil samples and their evaluation for the production of silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial property. Methodology and results: Two hundred soil samples were collected and subjected to isolation and identification (based on16SrRNA gene sequencing) of silver nanoparticles producing Actinomyces. The silver nanoparticles produced by Actinomyces were confirmed by UV-visible spectral analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). Furthermore, antimicrobial property of silver nanoparticles was assessed against pathogenic microorganisms viz., Staphylococcus aureus (PTCC 1431), Acinetobacter baumannii (PTCC 19606), Bacillus cereus (PTCC 1816), Escherichia coli (PTCC 1397), Salmonella typhi (PTCC 1609), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PTCC 1707), Aspergillus niger (PTCC 5010) and Candida albicans (PTCC 5072). Of 48 Actinomyces isolated, 26 strains could produce silver nanoparticles and three of which showed potent activity for production of silver nanoparticles. Molecular identification of these strains exhibited detection of Actinomyces amycolicicoccus subflavus, Streptomyces flavoviridis and Streptomyces lateritius. The results obtained from characterization of the biosynthesis silver nanoparticles illustrated that their shapes and sizes were spindle and spherical and 47-103 nm respectively. However, the antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles against the pathogenic microorganisms was varied. Yet S. typhi followed by P. aeruginosa, were more sensitive and A. baumannii was relatively less sensitive. In addition, spherical shape with small average size relatively showed more antimicrobial property. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Soil Actinomyces could produce silver nanoparticles and these particles have antimicrobial effect. In addition, the antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles, not only because of their chemical property (such as formation of free radical) but also depended on their shapes and sizes.
Actinomyces

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the three species of oral Actinomyces have inhibitory effects on the growth of oral Candida albicans in vitro.

METHODSStraight o'clock method was used to observe the bacteriostasis circle. Reverse o'clock and mixed culture method were used to study the quantitative changes of Candida albicans colony respectively.

RESULTS(1) None of the groups had been viewed the bacteriostasis circle. (2) Compared with control groups, there was a significant decrease of Candida albicans colony on Actinomyces viscosus TPY soft agar (P < 0.05). Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus TPY soft agar were both devoid of obvious Candida albicans colony (P < 0.01). The former group (Actinomyces viscosus) and the two latter groups (Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus) showed a striking contrast (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with control groups, a decrease of Candida albicans showed up in the mixed culture, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The discrepancies among the three experimental groups were of no statistical value (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOral Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. However, which of them contributed more to the inhibitory effects was still not affirmed.

Actinomyces ; Actinomyces viscosus ; Candida albicans ; In Vitro Techniques

Actinomycosis is an oppoturnistic infection of actinomyces, which are relatively avirulent endogenous oral commensals. After trauma or infection, they breach the normally protective mucosal barriers to invade adjacent soft tissue structures. Lesions routinely contain other bacteria, the normal resident flora at the site of primary infection, which act synergistically with actinomyces species to provoke this unique infection, which range from an acute suppurative process to a chronic fibrotic process. According to epidemic studies about pelvic actinomycosis, it should be significantly related to IUD(intrauterine device). It is accounted that IUD cause chronic intrauterine infection, tissue injury and act as nucleus for parasitic infestation. Here we present a case of pelvic actinomycosis related to IUD with brief review of the concerned literature.
Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Bacteria

Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous suppurative disease caused by Actinomyces species. Actinomyces is an anaerobic, gram positive organism that requires special techniques for culture and isolation. Actinomycosis is characterized by formation of multiple abscesses, draining sinuses, abundant granulations (sulfur granule) and dense fibrous tissue. The three major clinical presentations include the cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominal regions. Since A. israelii is a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, to make a definitive diagnosis it must be recovered from closed tissue spaces, draining sinuses, or abscesses, or it must be shown to be invasive in histopathologic sections. The drug of choice is penicillin. Because of the dense fibrous tissue surrounding the colonies of organisms and the concentration of organisms in clusters, high doses of pharmacologic agents must be used for long periods, and radical surgical excision should accompany antibiotic therapy if possible. We report three cases of abdominal actinomycosis, preoperatively impressed as appendicitis and pelvic abscess, which was diagnosed by a histological study of operative specimens. The possible pathogenic mechanisms causing clinical symptoms are discussed.
Abscess ; Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Appendicitis ; Diagnosis ; Mouth ; Penicillins

Canaliculitis is an uncommon chronic unilateral disease caused by infection with Actinomyces israeli, Candida Albicans or Aspergillus species. The authors has experienced 2 cases of canaliculitis associated with chronic conjunctivitis. The organism was confirmed microscopically on a direct smear taken from the canaliculus. In addition to some clinical observations, a brief review of literature has been described.
Actinomyces ; Aspergillus ; Candida albicans ; Conjunctivitis ; Canaliculitis

Actinomycosis is an infrequent chronic infection regarded as the most misdiagnosed disease by experienced clinicians. The Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institute of Health has also listed this disease as a “rare disease.” This article presents a case report of actinomycosis of the alveolus with unusual clinical features but a successful resolution. It also states the importance of biopsy of deceptive inflammatory lesions that do not respond or recur after conventional treatment modalities.
Actinomyces* ; Actinomycosis ; Biopsy ; Mouth* ; Mycoses ; Rare Diseases

OBJECTIVEThe method of metabonomics based on 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) was preliminarily applied to discriminate the oral common Actinomycetes, Actinomyces naeslundii ATCC12104 and Actinomyces israelii ATCC12102.

METHODSSolutions of Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces israelii with same density were made and cultured respectively at BHI liquid culture medium. The concentration of bacteria was determined periodically, and then the growth curves were drawn. The culture solutions in stationary phase of the two bacteria were used to test with the 1H-NMR spectroscopy respectively. The data of 1H-NMR spectroscopy results were analyzed by principal components analysis (PCA).

RESULTSThe PCA showed the obvious clustering phenomena and the points of two groups data stayed differentially together by two clusters. Therefore, the NMR-based metabolomics profiles can discriminate the two different kinds of bacteria.

CONCLUSIONThe analysis technology of metabonomics is expected to be applied to rapid identification of actinomycetes.

Actinobacteria ; Actinomyces ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Metabolomics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the quantity of colonizing Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) and Actinomyces on the root surface plaque before and after post-core crown restoration of the mandibular first molars in the elderly patients.

METHODSA total of 30 elderly patients, each with one post-core crown restoration of the mandibular first molar, were randomly chosen to participate in the studies. Patients with mandibular first molars with post-core crown restoration and those with healthy contralateral mandibular first molars were divided into the test and control groups, respectively. Root surface plaques of the two groups were collected before tooth preparation, 72 h after preparation, one week after preparation, and one month after restoration. S. mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii (A. naeslundii) and Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus), were identified using colony morphology, biochemical techniques, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Plaque count was measured using microbial colony count.

RESULTSThe number of S. mutans and A. viscosus and A. naeslundii in the test group, which was statistically significant (P<0.05), increased 72 h after preparation. The quantities of S. mutans, A. viscosus, and A. naeslundii one week after preparation were significantly different (P<0.05). The plaque count of S. mutans, A. viscosus, and A. naeslundii in the test group decreased one month after restoration (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quantities of S. mutans, A. viscosus and A. naeslundii increase one week after preparation but decrease one month after restoration. The finding suggests that dentists should educate patients about plaque control during the early period after tooth preparation.

Actinomyces ; Actinomyces viscosus ; Aged ; Bacteria ; Crowns ; Dental Plaque ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Streptococcus mutans ; Tooth Root

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine varnish treatment in the prevention of dental caries in orthodontic patients by observing microbial change in dental plaque after varnish treatment. The sample consisted of 26 patients who were classified into an experimental group and a control group, 13 patients each. The experimental group was treated with cl orhexidine varnish once a week for 4 weeks. The control group was treated with placebo varnish using the same procedure, The microbial change was analysed by indirect immunofluorescenize technique before treatment and 4 weeks, 8 weeks after treatment. The results were as follows. 1. Streptococcus inutans were strongly suppressed until 8 weeks after chlorhexidine varnish treatment(p<0.01). 2 The proportion of Streptococcus sanguis increased temporarily 4 weeks after chlorhexidine varnish treatment(p<0.U5), decreased to original level after 8 weeks. 3. Streptococcus mitts, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii did not show significant change after chlorhexidine varnish treatment.
Actinomyces ; Actinomyces viscosus ; Chlorhexidine* ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque* ; Humans ; Paint* ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus sanguis

Actinomycosis is a slowly progressive chronic suppurative infection noted for forming characteristic sulfur granule by an anaerobic gram-positive bateria. Pelvic actinomycosis occurs most commonly in association with IUD and has variable nonspecific symptoms that make an initial diagnosis difficult. Colonization of lower genital tract by Actinomyces occurs most often in IUD users and increases with the duration of IUD use. We experienced a case of actinomycotic pelvic abscess associated with IUD and report it with a brief review of concerned literature.
Abscess ; Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Intrauterine Devices* ; Sulfur