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Anaerobic – Meaning, Bacteria and Infections

Anaerobic means without oxygen. In medicine, the term describes processes, bacteria, or metabolic reactions that occur or survive in the absence of oxygen.

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Things worth knowing about "anaerobic"

Anaerobic means without oxygen. In medicine, the term describes processes, bacteria, or metabolic reactions that occur or survive in the absence of oxygen.

What does anaerobic mean?

Anaerobic is a term from biology and medicine derived from the Greek words an (without), aer (air), and bios (life). It refers to life processes, organisms, or chemical reactions that take place without oxygen. The opposite term is aerobic, meaning with oxygen.

Anaerobic Metabolism

The human body can produce energy both with and without oxygen. Anaerobic metabolism is primarily activated when the oxygen supply to the muscles is insufficient, such as during intense physical activity.

Anaerobic glycolysis: Glucose is broken down into lactate (lactic acid) without oxygen. This process provides energy quickly but leads to muscle fatigue and the typical burning sensation in muscles during prolonged effort.
ATP resynthesis: In the short term, the body can also supply energy through the creatine phosphate system (anaerobic alactic), without producing lactate.

Anaerobic Microorganisms

In microbiology, several groups of anaerobic microorganisms are distinguished:

Obligate anaerobes: These bacteria can only survive without oxygen. Oxygen is actually toxic to them. Examples include Clostridium species (e.g., the causative agents of tetanus and botulism) and Bacteroides species.
Facultative anaerobes: These microorganisms can grow both with and without oxygen, e.g., Escherichia coli.
Aerotolerant anaerobes: They grow without oxygen but are not killed by its presence.

Medical Relevance of Anaerobic Bacteria

Anaerobic bacteria play a significant role in various infectious diseases. They are commonly found in poorly perfused tissues, deep wounds, or areas with reduced oxygen supply.

Typical Anaerobic Infections

Abscesses (e.g., in the abdomen, lungs, or dental area)
Wound infections following surgery or trauma
Aspiration pneumonia (lung infection caused by inhaling stomach contents)
Gas gangrene (caused by Clostridium perfringens)
Tetanus (caused by Clostridium tetani)
Botulism (caused by Clostridium botulinum)

Diagnosis of Anaerobic Infections

Diagnosing anaerobic infections requires specialized laboratory methods, as these bacteria can die rapidly upon contact with oxygen. Samples must therefore be transported anaerobically and cultured under oxygen-free conditions. Typical indicators of an anaerobic infection include:

Foul-smelling (fetid) pus or wound odor
Gas formation in the tissue
Location of the infection in poorly perfused or necrotic tissue areas

Treatment of Anaerobic Infections

Treatment depends on the causative organism and the location of the infection. Key measures include:

Antibiotics: Commonly used agents include metronidazole, clindamycin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, or carbapenems.
Surgical intervention: Abscesses and necrotic tissue often need to be surgically removed or drained.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: In cases of gas gangrene, treatment in a pressure chamber with pure oxygen can provide additional support.

Anaerobic Exercise in Sports

In the context of sports, anaerobic training refers to high-intensity physical activity in which the body generates energy predominantly without oxygen. Typical anaerobic sports activities include sprinting, weightlifting, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The anaerobic threshold marks the intensity level at which lactate in the blood begins to accumulate rapidly.

References

Murray, P. R. et al.: Medical Microbiology. 8th edition. Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2015.
Brooks, G. A.: The Science and Translation of Lactate Shuttle Theory. Cell Metabolism, 27(4), 757-785, 2018.
World Health Organization (WHO): Antimicrobial Resistance. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance (accessed 2024).

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