Week 2- Bacterial nomenclature

Question 1

what language is a historical scientific language

Answer 1

Latin

Question 2

who developed the taxonomic system to classifying organism

Answer 2

Carl Linnaeus

Question 3

why is scientific nomenclature important

Answer 3

• stable- follow a precise set of rules
• internationally understood
• unique and unequivocal
• can give clues to characteristics of the organism

Question 4

what is the linnaen system

Answer 4

a nested hierarchy structure

Question 5

what is the linnaen system initially based on

Answer 5

three kingdoms (mineral, animals and plants), followed by class, order, genus and species

Question 6

how are binary/ binomial names formed

Answer 6

by the generic name and the species epithet

Question 7

what can the name of microorganism recognise

Answer 7

• description of organism
• recognise scientist within the field
• linked to geographic locations
• associated with organisations

Question 8

what are the rules of nomenclature of the binomial system

Answer 8

• use of capitals
• when to italicise
• how to abbreviate
• use of common names
• plural forms
• subspecies and serovars

Question 9

what is bacterial identification traditionally based on

Answer 9

phenotype

Question 10

what is phenotypic identification

Answer 10

identification through the analysis of gene products rather than the genes

Question 11

what are the most common phenotypic characteristics

Answer 11

• microscopic morphology and staining characteristics
• macroscopic (colony) morphology and pigmentation
• environmental requirements for growth
• resistance or susceptibility for antimicrobial agents
• nutritional requirements and metabolic capabilities

Question 12

what are genotypic methods

Answer 12

• involves characterisation of a portion of the organisms genome using molecular techniques
• DNA or RNA analysis

Question 13

why is genotypic approach reliable

Answer 13

highly specific and very sensitive and it usually provides a definitive identification

Question 14

what is the aim of a diagnostic lab

Answer 14

to correctly identify the pathogen, provide a diagnosis and advise on the appropriate therapy

Question 15

how are clinical samples processed

Answer 15

1. sample arrives in clinical lab reception and is sent to the appropriate section for processing
2. culture and microscopy
3. observe agar plates and make preliminary identification
4. Identification test= phenotypic and/or genotypic tests
5. definitive identification

Question 16

what is typic methods (phenotypic and genotypic)

Answer 16

allow differentiation of one bacterial strain from another

Question 17

how should a typing method be

Answer 17

reproducible, have a high discrimination capacity, be easy to use and easy to interpret the results

Question 18

which epidemiological studies is typing important in

Answer 18

-MRSA outbreak on an orthopaedic unit
-salmonella enterica associated gastroenteritis outbreak linked with a local
restaurant

Question 19

what are some common typing methods

Answer 19

• phage typing
• pulsed- field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)
• multi-locus sequence typing (MLST)