Bifidobacterium

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Medically Important Anaerobes. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Bifidobacterium

Significant Bifidobacterium species include:
  • B. adolescentis
  • B. bifidum
  • B. breve
  • B. dentium
  • B. infantis
  • B, lactis
  • B. longum
Things to remember:
  • Found in newborn and infant gastrointestinal tract.
  • Found in dental caries.
  • Some of the Bifidobacterium spp. have probiotic (protective) properties; they are usually found in the human gut.
  • Not commonly found in clinical specimens.
  • Compromised patients appear to be more likely to develop infection (positive blood cultures, urine cultures); the bacteria is sometimes associated with diverticulitis and advanced cancer.
  • Characteristics that may be helpful: catalase negative, oxidase negative, vancomycin susceptible, colistin-resistant, non-motile (however, some species are motile).
  • Further images may be seen on the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam website.10
10. University of Rotterdam. Erasmus MC: Bacteria: Bifidobacterium. University of Rotterdam website. No date. Available at: https://microbe-canvas.com/Bacteria/anaerobic-gram-positive-rods/spores-negative/bifidobacterium-species.html.
Figure 15. Wikimedia Commons. (2006). Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Gram stain 1000X. [Image]. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bifidobacterium_adolescentis_Gram.jpg.
Figure 16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1966). Brain heart infusion agar...inoculated with Bifidobacterium bifidum, and after having undergone a 14–day incubation period, gave rise to this bacterial colony with its ruffled edges. [Image]. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=20528.

Figure 15. Gram stain of Bifidobacterium adolescentis as seen under 1000X magnification
Figure 16. Bifidobacterium bifidum growth on brain heart infusion agar.
Note the ruffled colony edges.