Bacteria, Positive and Negative Grams Flashcards
Define a pathogen
A disease causing micro-organism
Define a commensal
Organism which colonises the host but doesn’t cause disease
Define virulence
Degree to which an organism is pathogenic
Define opportunist pathogen
Microbe that causes disease only if host is compromised
Define an asymptomatic carriage
Pathogen harmlessly carried at tissue site that doesn’t cause disease
What is the hierarchy of microbial size?
Protozoa –> Bacteria –> Viruses
How do you tell the difference between gram positive and negative bacteria including stain?
Positive: Thick peptidoglycan coating with single membrane, stains purple. Can also form spores
Negative: Thin peptidoglycan coating, double membrane carrying endotoxin
What organism is the Ziehl-Neesen used to stain for?
Mycobacteria
How is the stain carried out?
1) Apply crystal violet to heat fixed bacteria
2) Treat with iodine
3) Decolourise sample
4) Counterstain
What environmental factors affect bacterial growth?
Temp: -80 –> +80 degrees
pH: <4 - 9
Water/Desiccation
Light: UV
What are the 3 phases of bacterial growth?
Lag
Exponential
Stationary
What are 2 functions of pili and function of flagelli?
Pili: a) Plasmid exchange b) Adhere to surfaces
Flagelli: Locomotion propulsion
Which bacteria release exo and endo toxins?
Exotoxins: Both gram positive and negative
Endotoxins: Gram negative
What are endo and exotoxins?
En: Outer membrane component released when bacteria damaged (Heat stable, toxic to host and less specific)
Exo: Specific and heat labile proteins secreted by gram positive and negative
What are plasmids special ability?
Circular fragments of DNA that are able to carry genes for antibiotic resistance
How are staphylococci and streptococci arranged?
Sta: Clusters of Cocci
Str: Chains of Cocci (S Aureus –> G +ve)
What is the chemical test to distinguish the two types of gram positive bacteria?
Catalase Test: Detects for presence of catalase enzyme using hydrogen
peroxide
a) Sta: Cat +ve b) Str: Cat -ve
How do you distinguish further between the 2 sub types of bacteria:
Str: Blood Agar haemolysis (Serougrouping done if in B haemolysis group)
Sta: Coagulase Test: See if a fibrin clot has been produced
Where is staphylococcus found, spread and virulence factors?
Found: Nose and Skin
Spread: Aerosols and Touch
VF: Toxins, Proteases, Toxic shock syndrome toxin, Protein A
What are the 3 shapes of single cell bacteria?
1) Rod (Bacillus)
2) Cocci (+ve are Str and Sta)
3) Spirochetes