GRAM (+) BRANCING RODS

Question 1

Gram (+) Branching rods

Characteristics

Nocardia and actinomyces

Answer 1

Gram (+)
Long, branching filaments

Question 2

Nocardia

Characteristics

Gram, catalase, urease, O2

Answer 2

Gram (+)
Catalase (+)
Urease (+)
Obligate aerobe
Acid fast

Acid fast stain due to mycolic acid in cell wall

Question 3

Nocardia

Where do you find it?

Answer 3

Soil

Question 4

Nocardia

Diseases

Answer 4

Pulmonary infections (inmunocompromised)
Cutaneus infections
Cerebral abscess

Question 5

Nocardia

Treatment

Answer 5

Sulfonamides

TMP-SMX

Question 6

Actinomyces

Characteristics

Gram, catalase, O2

Answer 6

Gram (+)
Catalase (-)
Obligate anaerobe
Not acid fast

Question 7

Actinomyces

Where do you find it?

Answer 7

Normal oral, reproductive and GI microbiota

Question 8

Actinomyces

Diseases

Answer 8

Cervical facies actinomyces infection

Oral/facial abscesses that drain through sinus tract often associated with dental caries/extraction. Forms yellow “sulfur granules”

Question 9

Actinomyces

Treatment

Answer 9

Penicilin

Question 10

Gram (+) branching rods

SNAP

Answer 10

Sulfonamides-Nocardia
Actinomyces-Penicilin