Microbiology 1 Flashcards
What are the two main shapes of bacteria?
Bacillus and coccus
What colour is each gram stain?
Gram +ve: blue/purple
Gram -ve: red/pink
Describe a gram+ve and -ve cell wall.
+ve: a large outer peptidoglycan layer with a single cytoplasmic membrane.
-ve: inner membrane, thin peptidoglycan layer superficial to this, then a second outer membrane with a large lipopolysaccharide layer. Both may have capsules.
What is the function of a capsule and extracellular slime (biofilm)?
Capsule: avoid phagocytosis and aid attachment to host cells. Biofilm: can facilitate the attachment of bacteria onto artificial surfaces.
What do fimbriae do?
Aid in attachment to host cells and adhere to one another.
Describe the genetic machinery in a bacteria.
Single loop of double stranded, chromosomal DNA. Plasmids carrying extra-chromosomal DNA that confers resistance. 30s/50s ribosomes.
What are spores and when do they form?
Small, dormant cells with a thick coat that are highly resistant and can remain dormant for years. Formed in response to adverse conditions.
Give the 4 types of oxygen requirements for bacteria.
Strict aerobes, microaerophilic, strict anaerobes, facultative anaerobes.
Describe how Staph appear on a gram stain.
Purple cocci in clusters.
Is staph aureus a commensal?
Yes - about 30-50% in noses.
What is used to differentiate Staphs?
Coagulase test. +ve: s. aureus -ve: s.epidermidis and s. saprophyticus.
Give 4 things that contribute to s.aureus pathogenicity.
Coagulase (form a fibrin coat+avoid phagocytosis), toxic shock syndrome protein, adheres to cells and forms toxins that can make pores in cells.
Where does s. epidermidis colonise?
Skin.
What is s. epidermidis main virulence factor?
Ability to form a biofilm.
What does s. epidermidis commonly infect?
Prosthetics and catheters .
How do Strep appear on a gram film?
Purple cocci in chains.
What is alpha and beta haemolysis, and what is Lancefield typing?
Alpha: partial digestion of blood agar (appears green) Beta: complete digestion of blood agar. Lancefield is antigen testing to differentiate different types of B haemolytic Step. (catalase negative bacteria)
What type of haemolysis do strep pneumoniae and strep viridans show? How would you differentiate between them?
Alpha haemolysis. Optochin disk differentiates - S.pneumoniae is sensitive and S.viridans isn’t.
What infections is Strep viridans associated with?
Infective endocarditis and dental caries.
What haemolysis does Strep pyogenes show? What infection is it known for?
Beta. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis (i.e strep throat!), cellulitis.
How would you differentiate between Shigella sonnei, Salmonella enterica and E coli?
MacConkey agar: Red (lactose fermenting) is E coli, Pale (non-lactose fermenting) is either Shigella or Salmonella. XLD plate - Shigella red, salmonella red with black centres.
What are the 4 main strains of E.coli, and what infections do they cause?
Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli - dysentery. Enterotoxigenic E. coli - travellers diarrhoea. Enteropathogenic E. coli - chronic, watery diarrhoea. Enteroinvasive E. coli - dysentery.
What are the two main species of salmonella and what infections do they cause?
S. typhi (typhoid fever), S. enterica (salmonellosis)