Description of Actinomyces

Actinomyces is gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic bacteria that normally forms filaments. Living within sopils, as commensls of animals or as oathogens or disease-producing. In humans, it exists as a normal component of the microbial community within mouth and throat but also may cause symptomatic or asymptomatic urinogenital infections (actinomycoses), infect the heart, brain, gall bladder, etc. Originally described from infections in cattle, type species: Actinomyces bovis Harz 1877. Described by Harz C. O. 1877 Actinomyces bovis ein neuer schimmel in den geweben des rindes. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Thiermedizin. 1877-1878, 5, 125-140. The word Actinomyces is also used as a colloquial term for all Actinomycete fungi.