Why are some obligate anaerobes able to grow in tissues (e.g., gum pockets) that are not completely free of oxygen?
There are another type of obligate anaerobes that are encountered in the human body and are gram-positive, rod-shaped Clostridium spp. Their ability to form endospores allows them to survive in the presence of oxygen.
Obligate anaerobes are microorganisms that grow only in the absence of oxygen. However, some obligate anaerobes are able to survive and grow in tissues, such as gum pockets, that are not completely free of oxygen. This is due to the fact that these organisms have developed mechanisms to protect themselves from the toxic effects of oxygen.
One such mechanism is the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes. SOD converts superoxide radicals that are produced in the presence of oxygen into hydrogen peroxide, which is then decomposed by catalase into water and oxygen. This allows the anaerobes to detoxify the reactive oxygen species generated by the presence of oxygen in their environment.
Another mechanism used by anaerobes is the creation of microenvironments within tissues that are low in oxygen. This can be accomplished by the production of biofilms, which are sticky, protective films that allow anaerobes to colonize a surface and reduce oxygen diffusion. The surface of the biofilm acts as a barrier, creating microenvironments that are anaerobic in nature.
In summary, some obligate anaerobes are able to grow in tissues not completely free of oxygen by developing mechanisms to protect themselves from the toxic effects of oxygen, such as the production of SOD and catalase enzymes and the formation of biofilms that create anaerobic microenvironments.
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