Phenotypic Methods- Dr Becker Flashcards
What are phenotypic characteristics?
Observable characteristics of microorganisms
True or False: A virus can be seen on light microscope
False
Disadvantages of microscope identification
- Mild/ chronic infection may not be detected
- Not all specimens can be used (Ex: fecal sample)
Advantages of microscope identification
- Determines cell/tissue morphology
- Cellular ass. of pathogens
- Impression of disease stage and severity
- Rapid and immediate analysis
Concentration technique
Used for parasite diagnosis
Ex: Feces, Vomit, Sputum
Flotation, Sedimentation, and Baermann test for larval identification
Baermann test
Conc. Technique
Uses a funnel to test larval identification
Warm water stimulates larvae
Method to extract nematode larvae from poop
Ex: lungworm larvae
McMaster egg counting slide
Determines egg types and level of infection (eggs per gram of feces)
Simple stain
uses 1 dye
Disadvantage: may not stain all components, difficult interpretation
Differential stain
uses more than 1 dye
more precise
Disadvantage: multistep, more time + reagents
Positive simple stain vs negative simple stain
Positive: stains cell
Negative: background is stained, cell structure is clear
H & E stain
detection of viral inclusion bodies
aggregates of proteins, represents site of viral replication
Hematoxylin
Basic stain, stains acidic components like nuclei
appears purple
Eosin
Acidic stain, stains basic components like cytoplasm and muscle and red blood cells
appears pink
Romanowsky stain
Diff quick stain
Histological staining for rapid staining
Modified Wright-Giemsa stain, studies pathogenic bacteria to cells
Gram stain
Differentiates gram + and gram - bacteria, targets peptidoglycans
Gram + is purple
Gram - is pink