Microbes of the Day (Exam One)

Question 1

Streptococcus pyogenes

Answer 1

Gram-positive/facultative bacterium
Coccus/strepto
Causative agent behind strep-throat, also scarlet fever cellulitis, rheumatic fever, impetigo, etc
Found on skin or the respiratory tract, some without symptoms.

Question 2

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer 2

Gram-positive/facultative bacterium.
Coccus/staphylo
Causative agent behind skin infections, respiratory infections, and food intoxication (MRSA and VRSA)
Found on skin or upper respiratory tract.

Question 3

SARS-CoV-2

Answer 3

An enveloped, ssRNA virus. Common reservoir is bats, SARS-CoV-2- Civet Cat possibly from bats.

Question 4

Clostridioides difficile

Answer 4

Gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium. Bacillus morphology,

– Opportunistic pathogen: Pseudomembranous colitis
* Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
* Due to exotoxin release
– Transmission via fecal-oral route
Treatment: Antibiotics or Fecal transplants

Question 5

Clostridium botulinum

Answer 5

Gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium. Bacillus morphology. Most dangerous food intoxication. Found in soil, transmission via improper canning/preparation of food.
Treatment: Antitoxin and mechanical ventilator.
Used in botox.

Question 6

Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Answer 6

Gram-negative bacterium, bacillus morphology. Found in soil. Pathogenic causative agent behind crown gall disease in many species of plants. Used in biotechnology

Question 7

Ebola virus

Answer 7

Linear -ssRNA genome. Helical nucleocapsid, tubular, vary in shape. Carried by bats and other animals (primates). Fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, unexplained hemorrhaging. Spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or fomites from infect person, bats, or nonhuman primates.

Question 8

Cyanobacterium spp.

Answer 8

Gram-negative bacteria, “blue-green algae” prokaryotes. Aquatic, photosynthesis, produce oxygen, fix nitrogen, oldest known fossil. Harmful algal blooms - cyanotoxins

Question 9

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Answer 9

Gram-negative, non-motile, encapsulated, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. Normally lives in intestines and feces. Multidrug-resistant. Pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, UTIs, and meningitis.

Question 10

Helicobacter pylori

Answer 10

Gram-negative, helical or spiral, lophotrichous, microaerophilic bacterium. Causative agent behind peptic ulcers and gastritis. Can lead to gastric cancer and gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Urease

Question 11

Epstein Barr Virus

Answer 11

Enveloped, dsDNA virus. Mononucleosis, herpes virus family (HHV4) spread through saliva/bodily fluids. Mono

Question 12

Aliivibrio fischeri

Answer 12

Gram-negative, bacillus bacteria found in marine environments. Bioluminescent, symbiotic relationships, are used in bioengineering.

Question 13

Rhizobium spp.

Answer 13

Gram-negative, bacillus found in soil/plant roots. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Symbiotic relationship with plants.