Microbiology: Alcaligenes Faecalis Bacteria

The purpose of this lab was to identify two unknown bacteria from a mixed culture. The reason for identification of unknown bacteria was to help students recognize different bacteria through different biochemical tests and characteristics. This is important in the medical field because identification of unknown bacteria can help treat a patient by knowing the contributing source of a disease. Also knowledge of different bacteria helped others make antibiotics used today. This lab was completed by using the methods learned thus far in identification of bacteria.

For many years the identification of microorganisms has been important in the world of medicine. It is essential or correct disease diagnosis in patients and for proper treatment. Knowing the correct identity and characteristics of microorganism is crucial when disease outbreaks occur in populations, also knowing how humans can benefit from microorganisms is important; many can be used in making certain foods or antibiotics.

Unknown bacteria determined to be Alcaligenes faecalis because of its morphological, physiological and metabolic properties.

Being able to figure out an unknown culture or bacteria is very important and a great knowledge to have. It helps people every day from finding cures to bacterial infections, discovering new kinds or simply just knowing the limits of what they are capable of. It allows scientist to know how to kill them treat then and ect. along with determining if they are harmful or benefit humans, and plants Along with being able to identify different species of

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.

The general unknown lab’s experiments focus on biochemical and physiological characteristics of Enteric and Cocci bacteria, in aid of identification. The difference between gram-positive and gram-negative

The objective of the investigation was to perform multiple experiments that would lead to the identification of an unknown bacteria. This bacteria was causing a urinary tract infection on a patient. A sample of the bacteria causing the infection was received and analyzed. The first step was to isolate the bacteria to insure that sample was free of contamination. A MAC plate, a PEA plate, along with a Nutrient agar plate where used to produce pure colonies by using the quadrant streak method on each plate. After a 24 hour incubation period the colonies where isolated. The bacteria collected was inoculated into slants, nutrient broth for cultivation. A sample from the MAC plate and the PEA plate were collected and gram

As the flowchart shows, a series of tests were conducted to identify the unknown bacterium #65. Microscopic observation of the gram stain indicated a gram-positive coccus bacterium. S. epidermidis was used as the gram-positive control while E. coli was used as the gram-negative control. This observation led to the elimination of all gram negative and rod-shaped genera: Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Alcaligenes, Neisseria, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella, Erwinia, Veillonella, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Lactobacillus, Listeria and Kurthia (2). By performing the catalase test, it was determined that the bacterium was catalase negative and it did not produce bubbles. M. luteus and E. faecalis were used as positive and negative controls, respectively.

The bases of this experiment was to discover the identify of the unknown from three possible specimens: Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Utilizaing the T streak technique, the bacteria was isolated into pure colonies for further study. The Gram Stain method was used to identity the morhphology of the bacteria such as the shape and whether the bacteria was Gram positive or Gram negative. Biochemical test were also used to help identify the unknown bacteria. The biochemical test used was the Triple Sugar Iron Agar, Sulfur Indole Motility test, Methyl Red test, Voges-Proskauer test, Citrate test, Urease test, and the Gelatin test. After observing the morphology of the bacteria using the Gram Stain method and utilizing all the possible biochemical test, the bacteria was identified to be Enterobacter aerogenes.

E. faecalis was once thought to be a very harmless, non-spore forming, commensal bacteria that

faecalis has a low pathogenicity (scilo), it is a virulent, opportunistic pathogen to be reckoned with and is thought of as a super-bug. This is not only due to its ability to resist a variety of antibiotics, but also its ability to travel and employ biofilm formations. It can grow and adapt in many different environments. It can thrive in a wide range of temperatures and has disregard whether salt or oxygen are present, or whether the pH is basic or acidic. Its resilience on inanimate objects makes it a perfect candidate for transmission to occur within the hospital environment from hand to instrument, but it can also be spread via hand-to-hand contact and from food contamination (Public Health Agency of

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 purpose of the bacterial unknown independent study experiment completed throughout the course of this lab was to determine the identity of an unknown bacterial species. The unknown bacteria sample was chosen from numerous samples provided by the instructor. The starting unknown sample, unknown #15 was a mixed bacterial culture and a broad approach taken to identify the sample. Various biochemical tests were completed to identify the bacterial species along with the use of databases such as Gideon and Bergey’s to compare the test results of known bacteria to the results of the unknown sample. Information was gathered from the other sources and databases and phenotypic testing completed and the results compared to the database results. Aseptic

An unknown microorganism from three potential microbes—Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis—was determined by performing eight biochemical tests. Biochemical tests that were used to differentiate these possible microorganisms from each other were gram staining, motility with a semi-solid agar tube, oxygen requirements, catalase test, phenylalanine deaminase test, eosin methylene blue agar (EMB) and mannitol salt agar (MSA). The unknown microorganism was further clarified through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) database. Based on all the observations of the tests, the unknown bacterium was identified as B. megaterium.

Life on this planet began with microorganisms. Through millions of years microorganisms have found ways to successfully adapt and survive. These adaptations have created a wide biodiversity, allowing them to basically populate in all places. Why are these microbes so important? Because they shape the history of our world. Some microbes can be deathly to humans while some others are favorable, for example, bacteria that lives in the gut of both humans and animals and helps during the process of digestion (Alfred Brown & Heidi Smith, 2006). Understanding these interactions help scientists to find ways to protect humans from potential deathly pathogens. In order to observe microbes, microscope proficiency and microorganisms’ identification are crucial skills in a microbiology lab. During this laboratory session, samples of environmental and human organisms were inoculated into two different rich media and incubated to their according temperature. After this, appropriate use and calibration of the microscope was performed. Lastly, morphology and size of different species of bacteria, algae, fungi and protozoan were recorded.