Investigating Unknown Microorganisms From Water

2. What are examples of bacteria and pathogen of concern in water that can cause illness?

A mixed culture of two unknown bacteria was provided by the instructor. The methods used for

The purpose of this study project was to carefully isolate and identify two unknown bacteria from a mixed culture. The ability to properly evaluate biochemical test results is also necessary for the identification to be successful. The goal was to apply all of the methods and techniques that have been learned in the microbiology laboratory course for the proper identification of unknown bacteria. A certain amount of bacteria that were used throughout the course were possible bacteria that could be found in a mixed culture. The bacteria that were identified in the mixed culture were Staphylococcus Aureus and Kocuria Rhizophila.

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Today in medicine doctors are rapidly isolating and distinguishing the many pathogenic microbes encountered daily within the environment. Public health has been affected from the faster identification of microorganisms by delivering an accurate analysis to patients in order to receive treatment of the disease in a timely manner. Due to the growing understanding of these organisms more have been easier to indicate to improve water quality. Also more methods have been developed for better treatment options from fecal bacteria in public water systems. Scientist has developed such specific methods of identifying the unknown organism to tell if the contamination has come from either a human, bird, or mammal. (Achtman et al., 2008)

The first step toward identifying this unknown organism was to perform a Gram Stain to differentiate between gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This is an important step because it directs what the next tests will be. My Gram Stain on sample #12 showed that the bacteria was gram negative, however, after receiving the results of the OF glucose, H2S, Citrate, Urease and Motility tests, it was apparent that my Gram Stain was contaminated. I then performed a catalase test which came back negative, so I ordered a Bacitracin disc, Optochin disc and a CAMP test which had to be incubated overnight. After receipt of those test results,

Bacteria are ubiquitous; they can be found on the skin, in the soil, and inside the body. Because of the very nature of this ubiquity, it is important to be able to determine between different strains of bacteria. An example of this is determining the causative agent for a disease so that the patient will be treated with the appropriate antibiotics. It may be important to determine the bacteria in a certain region, because like with enteric bacteria, it is normal to find them in the digestive tract as they are in a symbiotic relationship with our bodies in this area; however, they also cause opportunistic infections in places outside of the digestive tract to our detriment, such as with a urinary tract infection. Some strains of bacteria are common to nosocomial infections, and identifying these bacteria as such helps create the guidelines for healthcare workers in antiseptic technique. All of the morphology and characteristics of each strain of bacteria help us to better understand the role of bacteria in the body as well as helps us understand how they can cause illness, and what treatment regimen to set in place. In lab this semester, a sample of unknown

The main idea of this experiment was to correctly identify the unknown bacteria, #3. Identification of unknown bacteria yields multiple benefits in many different areas in the research of microorganisms. In this experiment I performed many different test dealing with things such as the presence of enzymes, fermentation abilities and different chemical reactions. Observations made from the tests were then compared to a gram negative unknown chart in order to identify the bacteria. Based off of my results and the chart, I concluded the bacteria #3 was the bacteria Escherichia coli. E. coli is most commonly found in the intestines of warm blooded organisms. Most E. coli strands are non pathogenic however, there are strands

Prokaryotes are ubiquitous, successfully adapting to diverse environments as well as developing symbiotic relationships with host organisms (Lengeler, Drews, & Schlegel, 1999). Prokaryotes may have both autotrophic and heterotrophic characteristics. A cyanobacteria is photosynthetic, commonly called blue-green algae, and may produce toxins (Crayton, 1993). Bacteria are most commonly associated in the general

Not all the bacteria that live in well water are bad, but a few strains

Aeromonas hydroplilia species are ubiquitous bacteria found in a wide range of aquatic environments. They cause infection in vertebrates and invertebrates, including frogs, birds, and various fish species. Although primarily associated with diseases in immunocompromised humans, new evidences infer that Aeromonas hydroplilia species are potential evolving human pathogens regardless of the host’s status. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. water supplies routinely examine the organisms. Elevated numbers of Aeromonas hydroplilia species, above the EPA code, are continuously recorded in recreational water samples in San Diego

Escherichia coli are commonly found in lower intestine of warm blooded animals. Most E. coli are harmless. The bacteria can be grown easily and its genetics are relatively simple and easy to study, making it the best-studied prokaryotic organism. Certain strains of E. coli can produce toxins that can cause food poisoning when eating unwashed vegetables. (Wikipedia, 2010)

Introduction: Through the conduction of numerous experiments, the identity of two bacterial isolates was determined. The tested specimen was an unknown sample of a mixed culture of two different species of bacteria. The first step that was taken was obtaining a pure culture of each species of bacteria by isolating one species from the other. Once isolation was complete, the isolated cultures were tested using procedures that had been performed during previous lab sessions. A gram stain was performed on the two isolates. The isolate which had tested gram negative was then tested for the presence of cytochrome C and lactose fermentation. For the gram positive isolate, cell shape was determined and a catalase test was performed.

This microscopic biome is characterized by its bacterial diversity and density. Studies have shown that bacteria cell count to be higher in the microfilm than the average 106 cells per ml of sea water (Cole 1982). Some examples of associated bacterium genera include Pseudomonas and Acnromobacter, both Gram-negative, aerobic, and have been distinguished as human pathogens in patients with conditions that suppress their immune system (Watanabe et. al,

Microorganisms can easily be found in water. In third world countries, this can pose a huge threat, because lots of people can get sick from drinking water. SODIS is a method used by many in undeveloped countries as means of attaining microbe-free water. It involves allowing water to stay exposed to sunlight in order to kill whatever microbes are living in it. For this experiment, microbial diversity was determined by collecting a sample of water of different from shaded water and water directly hit by the sunlight. Microbes were then cultured for 7 days. The abundance of the different colony types was then counted. Results exhibited that the community from the light area was more biodiverse. It was concluded that a possible reason for this is due to the different structures of bacteria, allowing some of them to sustain the light and others to be restricted by it. Since SODIS relies on light to kill microorganisms, it should be accompanied by another method that will also kill the bacteria that may survive in the water after being treated in the sunlight.