FACTS RELATED TO MICROBIOLOGY SEMIFINAL

Question 1

Meaning of coagulase test..

Answer 1

Coagulase test is used to differentiate Staphylococcus aureus (+) from Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, like S. epidermidis (-) and S. saprophyticus.

Coagulase is an enzyme produced by S. aureus that converts (soluble) fibrinogen in plasma to (insoluble) fibrin. Staphylococcus

Question 2

Beta-lactamase

Answer 2

Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria that provide multi-resistace to beta-lactam antibiotics such as;

• Penicillins
• Cephalosporins
• Cephamycins
• Carbapenems

Beta-lactamase provides antibiotic resistance by breaking the antibiotic structure.
- These antibiotics all have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as beta-lactam.

Through hydrolysis, the enzymes lactamase breaks the b-lactam ring, deactivating the molecule’s antibacterial properties.

EXAMPLE:
Penicillinase is a type of beta-lactamase, showing specificity for penicillins, again by hyrdolysing the beta-lactam ring.