Proteus

Question 1

General Characteristics (5)

Answer 1

MOTILE

LACTOSE-NONFERMENTING, PALE colonies on MACONKEY agar

Striking SWARMING affect on blood agar, with EXPANDING WAVES of organism

Unique ability to DEAMINATE AMINO ACIDS

PRODUCE UREASE (splitting UREA into AMMONIA and CARBON DIOXIDE)

Question 2

Medically important species (3)

Answer 2

P.mirabilis
P.vulgaris
P.rettgeri

Question 3

Weil-Felix Test

Answer 3

CELL WALL antigens of certain strains of PROTEUS VULGARIS (OX-2, OX-19, OX-K) CROSS REACT with certain species of RICKETTSIAE (Gram negative bacteria causing SPOTTED and TYPHUS fevers)

These proteus antigens used to detect antibodies to Ricketssiae in patients’ symptoms serum

Question 4

Culture Appearance

Answer 4

SWARMING due to ELONGATED CELLS with MULTIFLAGELLATION

Question 5

Diseases (3)

Answer 5

UTI
Wound infection
Meningitis in Newborn

Question 6

Virulence Factors (5)

Answer 6

1- UREASE —> ALKALINE conditions in URINE —> formation of CALCULI in URINARY TRACT
2- IgA Protease —> DESTROYING SECRETORY ANTIBODIES on MUCOSAL SURFACE
3- CAPSULE —> Inhibits phagocytosis
4- BIOFILM —> Attachment to surfaces and POOR PENETRATION of ANTIBIOTICS
5- PILI —> Help ATTACHMENT of bacteria to epithelial cells