Bacteri Bacteria, And Streptococcus

Some germs that commonly live on the skin and in the nose are called staphylococcus or "staph" bacteria. Usually staph bacteria don't cause any harm. However, sometimes they get inside the body through a break in the skin and cause an infection. These infections are usually treated with antibiotics. When common antibiotics don't kill the staph bacteria, it means the bacteria have become resistant to those antibiotics. This type of staph is called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).

This experiment illustrates the importance of handwashing and proves that hand washing is worth it. Since our hands are constantly coming into contact with ourselves and others, touching surfaces, grabbing objects, being sneezed into, etc., keeping our hands clean is one of the most effective, yet simple way we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running warm water. “The human skin is a host to anywhere between 10,000-10,000,000 bacteria per square centimeter and since health care providers come into contact with pathogenic bacteria by being engaged in patient care, hand washing can reduce the risk of spreading diseases (page 3).” The objective of the experiment is to test the effectiveness of hand washing and demonstrate normal flora. This report presents the procedures and materials for the experiment, the experiment's results, and an analysis of those results.

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections, it can cause serious infections such as bloodstream infection, pneumonia or bone infections. Though it can cause infections it is part of the normal human flora it is mostly found on the skin or in nasal cavities. It is a facultative anaerobic gram positive cocci, it is usually in pairs or clusters. The bacterium is also catalase positive, oxidase

The first result of importance was the result of the Gram stain. The observations of the unknown bacteria from the slant culture after Gram staining showed that the unknown bacteria were Gram negative bacilli (Image 1). After determining the unknown bacteria was Gram negative, an oxidase test was conducted on a sample from the slant culture. The cotton swap with the sample of bacteria did not change color when the oxidase reagent was applied, thus providing a negative result. With a negative oxidase test, further tests were conducted to determine various characteristics of the unknown bacteria. A MR-VP broth was inoculated with a sample from a slant culture of unknown bacteria. After incubation, the methyl red reagent was added to the broth, and the broth turned red, providing a positive result (Image 2). An EMB agar streak plate was inoculated with a sample from a slant culture of the unknown bacteria, and after incubation, growth was found on the plate, providing a positive result (Image 3). A Citrate agar slant was inoculated, and after incubation, growth was found on the media, providing a positive result (Image 4). A Urea agar slant was inoculated, and after incubation, the agar had changed from a peach color to a bright pink color, providing a positive result (Image 5). Using the flowchart (Figure 1) developed from the Table of Expected Results, the lab partners started at the oxidase test. Given the negative result of the oxidase test, the flowchart is

- wounds and breaks in the skin (pathogens enter the body through mucus membranes, nose, mouth, gut, genital urinary track - catheters, or wounds like surgical incisions which can cause e.g. MRSA).

This experiment was conducted to find the genus and species of an unknown bacteria prescribed by the lab teacher, which was unknown bacteria GA3 in my case. Identification of unknown bacteria techniques are used on an every day basis to figure out what type of bacteria it is and to find the best method of how to treat a patient with this bacteria (1). All five “I’s” of Microbiology were used in the testing for the unknown culture. Inoculation was used several times to put the unknown culture into agar plates or into biochemical test tubes. After Inoculation of these tubes or plates, they always were placed into the incubator for further growth and development. Isolation was used to make sure we got the correct bacteria we were testing for. After each further isolation, we gram stained the culture and inspected the culture under a microscope to further help in the identification process of the unknown bacteria. Multiple tests were done on the unknown culture to make sure we were confident in what kind of bacteria the unknown was.

Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A streptococcus (GAS), is a β-hemolytic, Gram-positive bacterium that most commonly causes respiratory disease, including pharyngitis or tonsillitis, as well as skin infections such as impetigo and cellulitis. The organism is transmitted via respiratory droplets or by contact with fomites, and commonly infects young children. In addition to the common clinical presentations associated with S. pyogenes, some individuals develop the postinfectious sequelae of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Due to the severity of these medical consequences, prophylactic antibiotic use is often recommended for any patients with otherwise mild S. pyogenes infections (21).

In the world of microbiology it is vitally important to be able to discern the identities of microorganisms. Not only is it important in a lab setting but as well as in healthcare in general. Properly identify what strain of bacteria a person has will aid in the proper medicine and dose given. Throughout the semester we have learned about different types of bacteria and certain test that can clearly identify them. The purpose of this lab report is to identify a Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacterium. Using all the knowledge of procedures and lab techniques identify the unknown and discuss all the tests you performed.

Streptococcus Pyogenes is a very diverse bacteria with effects ranging from nothing or a mild sore throat, to flesh eating disease, causing death in 40-60% of patients. The major and most common illnesses associated with this bacteria

“Streptococcus is a bacteria that infects the Immune System. The Immune System is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that all work together to protect the body”("Immune Response"). According

Necrotizing Fasciitis is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria entering the body through open wounds or sores. There are multiple types of bacteria that can cause Necrotizing Fasciitis but the most common is streptococcus pyogenes also called group A streptococci. Group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for over a hundred different types of bacterial infections, ranging from minor illnesses such as strep throat or impetigo to serious illnesses like pneumonia and necrotizing fasciitis (C.D.C). GAS is a facultative gram positive coccus and ß-Hemolytic organism. This rare disease can be caused by more than one type of bacteria. These include Klebsiella, Clostridium, Escherichia coli, streptococcus pyogenes, and Aeromonas hydrophila, among

Also, contraction is very possible through the skin via abrasions both small and large. This type of infection would be contracted from exposure to other people harboring the bacteria, bacteria in the air, or bacteria on the injured person. Being infected this way can rarely result in necrotizing fasciitis. It is also very possible, albeit very rare, that Streptococcus pyogenes can be transmitted through food, most notably milk and its products. This form of infection is usually caused by improper or lack of pasteurization of the milk. The bacteria that are responsible hardly ever come from an outside source, and are usually present within the cow when infected milk is produced. However, these two other methods of transmission are far less likely than the usual human-to-human respiratory infections. (6,2,1)

The bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes has been infecting people for more than a century. Once a deadly bacterium, now only an antibiotic from curing the diseases it causes. Streptococcus pyogenes has been responsible for excruciating throat pains and even in some cases a horrendous rash included. This paper will talk about the history of this organism, how it acts as a pathogen, how people attract it, the symptoms that come with the disease, tests that can be implemented to identify if one has this bacteria, the treatments for the diseases, how people can prevent from getting the diseases, and what research is being conducted to cure the bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes.

“Streptococcus Pyogenes is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, nonsporeforming coccus that occurs in chains or in pairs of cells.” (Todar's Online Book of Bacteriology) In history, Streptococcus pyogenes got its ill repute as the cause of puerperal fever, a life-threatening disease that was seen in women after childbirth, until Ignaz Semmelweis exposed that it could be stopped by physicians just washing their hands before each vaginal examination.( Live Strong) S. pyogenes is one of the most frequent pathogens found in humans. An estimate of between 5-15% of humans port the bacterium S. pyogenes without any symptoms of illness. S. pyogenes can be usually found habituating in the respiratory tract of humans. Several infections cause by Streptococcus Pyogenes includes pharyngitis, or better known as strep throat, scarlet fever, impetigo, cellulitis, and rheumatic fever. (Todar’s Online Book of Bacteriology)

A gram stain is performed from the sputum of the infected patient. The presence of neutrophils and greater than ten gram-positive diplococci usually results in the diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae. For further conformation of this organism, it is streaked on blood agar. When on blood agar the organism should