Environment
- Soil
- Water
- Within Human/Animal impacted areas
Morphology
- Gram +
- Rod Shaped
- Flagellated
- Pili
Metabolic Properties
- Heterotroph (carbon compounds)
- Facultative anaerobe (prefers 02)
- Nitrate ( terminal electron acceptor)
- May ferment arginine
- Psychrotolerant
Genomes
Core
Pan
Core Genome
Contains genes essential to the species’ survival.
Pan Genome
The total of all genes any strains may have that contribute to survival and growth.
Opportunistic pathogen
Invades people with weak immune systems
- immunocompromised
- chronically ill
- cystic fibrosis
- burns patients
WHO priority pathogen
Carbapenemase Resistant Strains
Characteristics of Virulence
- Surface Structures
- Lipopolysaccharide
- Secretion of toxins/virulence factors
4.Quorum Sensing - Biofilm formation
Surface Structures
Resist phagocytosis + Immune responses to induce inflammation
Lipopolysaccharide
contains O-antigen - increases the negative charge of cells, provides structural integrity and protects from different chemicals.
(Lipid A + A/B antigens)
Secretion of toxins
A prolific producer of exoproducts, secretion pathways export from the cytoplasm to the external environment, 5 different secretion systems.
Quorum Sensing
Communication between bacteria, monitoring cell density, secretion and biofilm formation may only occur when the population reaches a certain size.
Biofilm Formation
Aggregate forms where exopolysaccharide surrounds the cell.
Role of flagella
May help with binding to mucin found in cystic sputum
Role of pili
Help bacteria bind to epithelial cells
Molecules Secreted
- Proteases
- Exotoxins
- Hydrogen Cyanide
Biofilms - Antimicrobial Resistance
Aggregate forms where exopolysaccharide surrounds the cells and resists stressors such as bacteriophage host immune components and antibiotics.
Antimicrobial Resistance Components
- Cell envelope.
- Secreted polysaccharide.
- Efflux Pumps.
Genes associated with resistance may be acquired by?
- Horizontal Gene Transfer
- Mutations in Genes already in the chromosome.
