Moraxella lacunata explained

Moraxella lacunata is a rod-shaped,^[1] Gram-negative, nonmotile bacterium, generally present as diploid pairs.^[2] It causes one of the commonest forms of catarrhal conjunctivitis.^[3]

History

Moraxella lacunata was first described independently by Victor Morax (1896) and Theodor Axenfeld (1897), hence the alternate name "Morax-Axenfeld diplobacilli" and the name of eye infection in humans is sometimes called Morax-Axenfeld conjunctivitis.

Characters

It has the ability to change its morphology in laboratory. M. lacunata became shorter and tended to lose its Gram-negative staining characteristic when left out for 5 days. It also tended to retain these new characteristics on subsequent blood-agar transfers.^[4]

Clinical significance

Infection occurs mainly in adults, but can occur at any age. It is characterized by:

• Chronic, mild angular blepharoconjunctivitis frequently localized on the lid at the outer canthus
• Typical erythema of the edges of the lids
• Slight maceration of the skin, most marked at the angles, especially the outer canthus
• Superficial infiltration of the cornea is not uncommon.
• The discharge is grayish yellow, adherent to the lashes, and accumulates mainly at the angles.^[5]

External links

• Type strain of Moraxella lacunata at BacDive - the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase

Notes and References

1. Web site: Medical Definition of MORAX-AXENFELD BACILLUS.
2. Book: Bergey's Manual® of Systematic Bacteriology: Volume 2: The Proteobacteria, Part B: The Gammaproteobacteria. Don J.. Brenner. Noel R.. Krieg. James R.. Staley. 14 December 2007. Springer Science & Business Media. Google Books. 9780387280226.
3. Web site: Read the eBook The pathology of the eye (Volume 1) by John Herbert Parsons online for free (page 6 of 38). Denis Larionov & Alexander. Zhulin.
4. Variations in Morax-Axenfeld Diplobacillus. Harry. Horwich. Helena. Fedukowicz. 1 October 1955. AMA Arch Ophthalmol. 54. 4. 580–585. 10.1001/archopht.1955.00930020586011. 13257988.
5. Web site: tumefaccion [2 records] - TERMIUM Plus® — Search - TERMIUM Plus®]. Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Translation Bureau. TERMIUM®.