Master Bacteroides Fragilis with Picmonic for Medicine

This organism stains gram-negative due to relatively thin peptidoglycan layer in the cell wall.

This type of bacteria does not need oxygen to derive energy thus can live in locations devoid of oxygen.

Bacteroides fragilis composes roughly 1% of colonic flora. As normal colonic flora, it competes with other organisms inside the colon/intestinal lumen for nutrients and food. This is beneficial because when organisms compete, it decreases the availability of nutrients for other dangerous pathogens to grow, harming our body.

The production of vitamin K is essential for clotting factors 2,7,9 and 10. Bacteroides fragilis is part of the gut flora which converts vitamin K to an active form. Thus loss of gut flora, including Bacteroides fragilis, can lead to a loss of active clotting factors, leaving the body prone to significant bleeding.

Bacteroides fragilis can create gas as they proliferate. This can cause tissue death and a characteristic gas gangrene.

This bacteria often creates a gas that is foul-smelling.

This is a collection of bacterial proliferation which has been walled off from the body's immune system. Often filled with pus, the patient can present with systemic signs of infections and characteristic findings on abdominal CT scan.

These organisms are resistant to penicillin by virtue of production of beta-lactamase.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic often used for anaerobic species. It is bacteriostatic and works similar to macrolides by inhibiting ribosomal translocation.

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that works against anaerobic bacteria which is also anti-protozoal and amebicide. The drug is taken up and converted into a product which causes oxidative damage to the organism.