Vibrio Vulnificus

Proper collection of blood cultures are necessary and the most direct method of determining whether or not a patient is septic. The purpose of obtaining blood cultures is to identify and isolate the bacteria that are causing an illness and then determine the best course of treatment based on the sensitivity of the bacteria to particular antibiotics. One of the most frustrating problems plaguing hospitals is the increased rate at which blood culture results are being returned as contaminated specimens. These results can lead to a significant increase in cost to the hospital and patient as well as an increased length in hospital

These microorganisms are transmitted from poor hand hygiene from health care workers to patients as well as touching of contaminated equipment and environmental surfaces. Microorganisms are most commonly introduced to susceptible sites such as open wounds or other portals of entry by contaminated hands. Infection leads to adverse clinical outcomes and can directly threat patient recovery.

One of the most serious diseases that can spread in this manner is the Crawfish Plague, more prevalent among North American species. However, the North American species are simply carriers of the disease. This disease is caused by a fungus that is lethal to other types of crawfish including Australian and Eurasian. Therefore, avoid putting crawfish from different continents or regions in the same container. On the same breath, avoid sharing equipment such as nuts and buckets when working with different types of crawfish.

Gold standard procedures should be implemented with the aim of providing timely and accurate results. (Schentag) The culture result should be accompanied by its clinical significance, selective reporting of susceptibility testing results in accordance with hospital antimicrobial therapy guidelines and suggested management. (Schentag) This encourages appropriate prescribing and minimises unnecessary use of antimicrobials. The clinical microbiology team should also provide reports to AMS regarding resistant organisms.

Wound Botulism is transmitted when C. botulinum spores germinate and produce toxins within the exposed wound. No person to person

This particular bacterium is not one that inhabits a specific geographical region as it colonizes within the human body. The disease is

Studies have repeatedly shown that as oxygen concentrations decrease, the abundance and diversity of fish decrease (Breitburg). Fish kills, in which large numbers of dead and dying fish float to the surface or wash onto shore, are probably the most dramatic and publicly visible manifestation of hypoxia and nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters(Breitburg). In addition to mass mortalities that are easily observed, high mortality of fish lacking a swim bladder can occur leaving little or no visible evidence of fish at the surface or littering beaches (Breitburg). With no fish, shrimp, or crabs the Louisiana fishing market takes a huge hit that the economy feels in a major way. The gulf accounts for almost one-fifth of the countries fishing landings, which total to be three billion dollars (Petrolia). Fishing is not only a major part of Louisiana’s economy but also its culture. Without wildlife in our waters microorganism are given more opportunity to grow leading to bacteria infected waters. These bacteria infected waters could cause major health risks for those who come in contact with

The first step to identifying the unknown bacteria residing on the blood agar plate sent in from Khokana was to do a Gram stain on it. This is an important first step because it dictates further testing that will be necessary to arrive at a final conclusive result. Viewing the fixed and stained slide under the microscope revealed round chains of bacteria in a purple color signaling Gram-positive streptococci. A catalase test was performed with no bubbling present indicating a negative result. This further confirmed the shape and arrangement seen under microscopy. With this mind, the coagulase test was not done, as it would be of no use since that specifies for staphylococcus, specifically for Staphylococcus aureus. For streptococcus, an examination of hemolysis was necessary at this point. Shifting attention back to the original blood agar plate, gamma hemolysis was noted, thus narrowing the field down to two choices left. The unknown bacteria was either Streptococcus bovis or Entercoccus faecalis. This also means the Optochin and Bacitracin sensitivity tests would not be needed as those pinpoint alpha- and

Scientists have studied the impact of water borne pathogens over time. Just how dependent human life is on the waterways is one such question which arises. The study involves the effect of such pathogens on human life. This study was narrowed down to the area of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay each weekend is occupied for recreational use. Such activities as swimming, fishing, and body surfing are common place. Normally each year thousands of pounds of seafood are distributed from out of the bay. There is a vast amount of people who come to visit the area each year.

Scientists studying fish in the Chesapeake Bay stated that they have discovered mycobacteria in some of the fish, causing ulcers, emaciation and sometimes death. The article also talks about this kind of mycobacteria having harmful effects on humans. People should be more careful about dealing with fish in the Chesapeake Bay. While the scientists are still studying and learning about this new discovery, they are also looking into and leaning towards prevention. According to the article, “Mycobacteria isolated from Chesapeake Bay fish”, “Studies are currently underway to

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 symptoms are abdominal pain, watery stools, fever and nausea. This bacterium is spread through hospitals from patients to nurses and back to patients. When someone becomes infected with this bacterium their stays in the hospital becomes longer and they are at greater risk of death from the infection. C-Diff is responsible for 20,000 deaths a year in the U.S. and costs 3.2 billion annually (Howerton, Patra, & Abel-Santos, 2013). It mainly affects the elderly that are on long term antibiotics. The diagnosis of this infection is by culturing the stool to find the bacterium C-Diff or its toxins (Mitchell, Russo, & Race 2014). It is transferred from client to nurse and then to client again or to physician or any other health team member to another client. The bacterium is then ingested and to someone on antibiotics, they are more likely to become infected. C-Diff is transferred by clothing, hands, and medical tools. When not

Vibrio is a rod shaped bacteria that are also gram negative. They naturally appear in marine or estuarine environments. Also to note there are around about 12 species vibrio that have been known to cause diseases in humans which cause around about an estimated 80,000 illnesses, 500 hospitalizations and 100 deaths ever year in the US. The main reason that people get infected by vibrio is from coming into contact with seawater or through consuming raw or undercooked seafood. Vibriosis usually causes primary septicaemia (blood poisoning), diarrhoea, wound infections, or other extra intestinal infections. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a strain of vibrio that has a rod shaped is usually found in saltwater and if ingested can causes gastrointestinal

There are other common sources of cholera bacterium are surface or well water, seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, and grains. In water, Vibrio cholerae can survive for long periods of time, staying dormant. People in areas with poor sanitation, like crowded refugee camps, are at risk of cholera, due to the fact that water provided for said community could be a source of contamination of cholera bacteria. Seafood, when raw or undercooked, can be contaminated by cholera bacteria, if the seafood came from certain areas with contaminated waters. Since the 1970s, cholera outbreaks in the U.S. have been caused by smuggled seafood from cholera-infected areas, and from the Gulf of Mexico. Shellfish are especially contaminated, due to the fact that “they filter large amounts of water, concentrating the levels of cholera bacteria”. Raw fruits—especially unpeeled—and vegetables coming from an area with a source of cholera are another frequent source of the cholera bacteria. Innoculation of the fruits

     Indirect transmission by the water or foodborne route is one of the most common ways C. parvum is spread. Because of the oocyst’s resistance to chlorination, several outbreaks have been caused by waterborne transmission. In one study (Carpenter et al.), oocysts were removed from the feces of an experimentally infected calf, cleaned of fecal matter, and placed into different amounts of chlorinated water at different temperatures. Although this experiment had been performed before, this was