...Hypothetically, transmittance of pathogenic attributes of pathogenic microbes to non-pathogenic microbes is the most dangerous form of genetic engineering in BW. With current knowledge of genetics, micro and molecular biology lies a vast amount of information of several genes and proteins that makes some pathogens so dangerous. That knowledge could potentially be used to mimic those genes into various species of bacteria and viruses that are currently non-pathogenic or have relatively low virulence to create a new repertoire of pathogens. Despite the scare, there are some difficulties that lie in transferring pathogenic attributes of one species or strain to another. Adding a certain pathogenic factor from a pathogenic microbe may not actually...
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...The sputum sample of infected patient will identify which bacterium they have contracted. The choices can be numerous, but we’ll look at three types: Bacillus, Escherichia, and Mycoplasma. Bacillus are anatomically rods that produce endospores, and commonly, can be found in soil. A few of its strains are pathogenic to humans, and several used in antibiotics. These several strains are variants of single species; just have different genes carried on the plasmids which can transfer from one bacterium to another. Well known strains are bacillus anthracis and bacillus thuringensis. Bacillus anthracis, or Anthrax, is a disease that affects cattle, sheep, and horses that have adapted/mutated and infect humans. Bacillus thuringensis is a microbial insect pathogen that produce crystalline toxins, and is used to spray on plants to reply and protect from insects. To help identify if this is the causing bacteria, one would use endospore staining, where malachite green is applied to a heat-fixed smear and heated to steaming for 5minutes, and helps penetrates the endospore wall. Then the smear is washed for 30seconds to remove the green from all other cell parts. Next, safranin is applied to the smear to stain the rest of the cell. The smear will be red or pink for cell parts, and malachite green will be the endospores. A gram stain would also will be used to identify the bacterium is bacillus. Bacillus would be a gram-positive, because it retains the violet crystal stain, and appear purple...
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...Diagnosis of an Infected Patient Infection is the invasion and growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body. A prokaryotic cell is a simple cell that does not have a nucleus. One of the most common types of prokaryotic cells is a bacterium. Bacteria are differentiated by many factors including shape, chemical composition, nutritional requirements, biochemical activities, and sources of energy (Tortora 76). A patient with an infection in the upper respiratory system will need to have a sputum sample sent to the lab for further evaluation to determine the cause in order to accurately treat the infection. While many microorganisms can be the cause of infection, this essay will focus on the following genera: Bacillus, Escherichia, and Mycoplasma as the cause of the patient’s infection. Bacillus is a rod-shaped, endospore-forming, facultatively anaerobic and gram-positive bacterium (Tortora G2). The gram stain is fundamental to identify the characteristics of bacteria as this process differentiates organisms according to the cell wall structure. Gram-positive cells have a thick cell wall layer and will stain blue to purple. The Gram stain process requires four steps which include applying a primary stain, usually crystal violet, to a heat-fixed smear, then adding a mordant, usually Iodine, followed by rapid decolorization with alcohol or acetone and finally counterstaining with safranin (Hussey). At...
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...BIOTERRORISM Name: 1. Introduction Historically, infectious disease outbreaks brought about by microbial species against human beings have caused far more mortality rates than war itself. Numerous cases of disease outbreaks in the past have been a major concern to health authorities, although such concerns have been partially addressed in the recent past. Examples of disease outbreaks in the past include: the infamous Bubonic Plague of the 14th century in Europe that led to the death of approximately a quarter of the continent’s population (approximately 25 million people); the influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1919 that led to the death of 21 million people; and the death of 95% of Pre-Columbian Native American people by measles, plague, small pox, influenza, and typhoid (Magner, 2009). Although there has been some response to such epidemics in the recent past, naturally occurring infections still remain the Achilles’ heel of today’s health systems. 2. Terrorism Versus Bioterrorism Despite the dark past in healthcare systems, current issues of the use of biological agents as means of mass destruction is alarming. Most of the countries across the globe are now faced with the daunting task of terrorism control, since this is one area where biological agents find a lot of use. According to Forst, terrorism may be defined as a “premeditated and unlawful use of violence [on] non-combatant populations having symbolic significance….” (Forst, 2009). Forst mentions that...
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...INDEX NUMBER: AG/AGR/11/0036 QUESTION: 1. Examples of pathogenic bacteria and their corresponding diseases. 2. Examples of useful bacteria and their importance 30TH August, 2012 Bacteria are living things that belong to a group all by themselves. They are small, single cell organisms called prokaryotes that do not contain a nucleus and are usually found in very large groups because they can quickly multiply. There are many different kinds of bacteria that are all separated into different types and groups, each group having its very own unique qualities that sets it apart from all the rest. A pathogen is a microorganism – in the widest sense, such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus – that causes disease in its host. The host may be an animal (including humans), a plant, or even another microorganism. Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that cause bacterial infection. Below is a table of some pathogenic bacteria and their corresponding diseases. PATHOGENIC BACTERIA | PATHOGENIC DISEASE | Clostridium perfringens | * Gas gangrene * Acute food poisoning * Anaerobic cellulitis | Streptococcus pyogenes | * Streptococcal pharyngitis * Scarlet fever * Rheumatic fever * Impetigo and erysipelas * Puerperal fever * Necrotizing fasciitis | Bacillus anthracis | * Cutaneous anthrax * Pulmonary anthrax * Gastrointestinal...
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...Systematic Methodology used in the Identification and Isolation of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus from an Unknown Culture. By: Richard Martinez MCB-2010L Microbiology Lab Dr. James Rogers 11/29/13 Unknown bacteria were determined to be Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus due to their morphological, physiological and metabolic properties. I. Abstract In a laboratory setting, it often becomes necessary to identify an unknown organism. In this experiment, researchers classified some unidentified bacteria based on their physical structure, colony morphology, optimal conditions and metabolic properties. A Gram stain using crystal violet, iodine, and safranin and a simple stain using methylene blue characterized the organism’s cell walls. Cultural behaviors were classified by inoculating the organisms onto nutrient agar and incubating them at 30° and 37° C for 48 hours, and observing their behaviors, as well as using Mannitol and phenol red media for fermentation and acid production. Optimal growth temperatures were determined by incubating nutrient agar plates of the organisms at 30° C and 37° C. The metabolic profile was created by inoculating the bacterium into broths containing lactose, mannitol, and citrate and incubating the tubes at 30° and 37° C for 48 hours, then observing them for color change. The stains revealed that the bacteria were both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacilli. Organism “A” was shown to not grow on MacConkey agar and to have...
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...Section A: Basic Microbiology 1 SCOPE AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN MICROBIOLOGY “Science contributes to our culture in many ways, as a creative intellectual activity in its own right, as a light which has served to illuminate man’s place in the uni-verse, and as the source of understanding of man’s own nature” —John F. Kennedy (1917–63) The President of America The bacterium Escherichia coli INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE MICROBIOLOGY is a specialized area of biology (Gr. bios-life+ logos-to study) that concerns with the study of microbes ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification. Microorganisms are microscopic (Gr. mikros-small+ scopein-to see) and independently living cells that, like humans, live in communities. Microorganisms include a large and diverse group of microscopic organisms that exist as single cell or cell clusters (e.g., bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa and helminths) and the viruses, which are microscopic but not cellular. While bacteria and archaea are classed as prokaryotes (Gr. pro-before+ karyon-nucleus) the fungi, algae, protozoa and helminths are eukaryotes (Gr. eu-true or good+ karyon-nucleus). Microorganisms are present everywhere on earth, which includes humans, animals, plants and other living creatures, soil,water and atmosphere. Microorganisms are relevant to all of our lives in a multitude of ways. Sometimes, the influence of microorganisms on human life is beneficial, whereas at other times, it is detrimental. For example...
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...1. The sudden unexpected occurrence of a disease in a given population: a. Outbreak b. Zoonotic c. Endemic d. Sporadic 2. A causative agent of peptic ulcer a. Escherichia coli b. Bordetella pertusis c. Shigella dysenteriae d. Helicobacter pylori 3. The “four o’clock habit” promoted by the Department of health is designed to prevent the spread of: a. Dengue fever b. Tuberculosis c. Malnutrition d.malaria 4. The first drug available for HIV: a. ZDU b. RMP c. TMP d. CMC 5. An immediate hypersensitivity reaction following exposure of a sensitized individual to the appropriate antigen: a. Hay fever b. Anaphylaxis c. Asthma d. Desensitation 6. A thin proteinaceous appendage necessary for bacterial conjugation: a. Cilium b. Trichome c. Flagellum d. Pilus 7. The use of nitrite as preservative for food is discouraged because: a. It can discolour the meat b. It can react with amines to form carcinogenic nitrosamines c. It decomposed to nitric acid which can react with heme pigments d. It is not readily available 8. The disinfectant of choice for municipal water supply: a. Lysol b. Chlorine c. Ozone d. Reverse osmosis 9. An object that is able to harbour and transmit microorganisms: a. Mite b. Fomite c. Arthropod d. Vector 10. Administration of a toxoid cenfers: a. Naturally acquired active immunity b. Naturally acquired passive immunity c. Artificially acquired active immunity d. Artificially...
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...Biosensors and Bioelectronics 25 (2009) 661–667 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Biosensors and Bioelectronics journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/bios Review Detection of microorganisms using biosensors—A smarter way towards detection techniques Madhura Nayak 1 , Akhil Kotian 1 , Sandhya Marathe 1 , Dipshikha Chakravortty ∗ Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Biosafety Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Along with useful microorganisms, there are some that cause potential damage to the animals and plants. Detection and identification of these harmful organisms in a cost and time effective way is a challenge for the researchers. The future of detection methods for microorganisms shall be guided by biosensor, which has already contributed enormously in sensing and detection technology. Here, we aim to review the use of various biosensors, developed by integrating the biological and physicochemical/mechanical properties (of tranducers), which can have enormous implication in healthcare, food, agriculture and biodefence. We have also highlighted the ways to improve the functioning of the biosensor. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Article history: Received 8 July 2009 Received in revised form 22 August 2009 Accepted 25 August 2009 Available online 31 August 2009 Keywords: Biosensors Microorganisms Biodefence...
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...Bad Bug Book Handbook of Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Introduction Food safety is a complex issue that has an impact on all segments of society, from the general public to government, industry, and academia. The second edition of the Bad Bug Book, published by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides current information about the major known agents that cause foodborne illness. The information provided in this handbook is abbreviated and general in nature, and is intended for practical use. It is not intended to be a comprehensive scientific or clinical reference. Under the laws administered by FDA, a food is adulterated if it contains (1) a poisonous or otherwise harmful substance that is not an inherent natural constituent of the food itself, in an amount that poses a reasonable possibility of injury to health, or (2) a substance that is an inherent natural constituent of the food itself; is not the result of environmental, agricultural, industrial, or other contamination; and is present in an amount that ordinarily renders the food injurious to health. The first includes, for example, a toxin produced by a fungus that has contaminated a food, or a pathogenic bacterium or virus, if the amount present in the food may be injurious to health. An example of the second...
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...NINTH EDITION Burton’s MICROBIOLOGY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES Paul G. Engelkirk, PhD, MT(ASCP), SM(AAM) Biomedical Educational Services (Biomed Ed) Belton, Texas Adjunct Faculty, Biology Department Temple College, Temple, TX Janet Duben-Engelkirk, EdD, MT(ASCP) Biomedical Educational Services (Biomed Ed) Belton, Texas Adjunct Faculty, Biotechnology Department Temple College, Temple, TX Acquisitions Editor: David B. Troy Product Manager: John Larkin Managing Editor: Laura S. Horowitz, Hearthside Publishing Services Marketing Manager: Allison Powell Designer: Steve Druding Compositor: Maryland Composition/Absolute Service Inc. Ninth Edition Copyright © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Wolters Kluwer business © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, © 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, © 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, © 1996 Lippincott-Raven, © 1992, 1988, 1983, 1979 JB Lippincott Co. 351 West Camden Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Printed in the People’s Republic of China All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including as photocopies or scanned-in or other electronic copies, or utilized by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the copyright owner, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Materials appearing in this book prepared by individuals as part of their official duties as U.S. government employees...
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...Preface A well-developed knowledge of clinical microbiology is critical for the practicing physician in any medical field. Bacteria, viruses, and protozoans have no respect for the distinction between ophthalmology, pediatrics, trauma surgery, or geriatric medicine. As a physician you will be faced daily with the concepts of microbial disease and antimicrobial therapy. Microbiology is one of the few courses where much of the "minutia" is regularly used by the practicing physician. This book attempts to facilitate the learning of microbiology by presenting the information in a clear and entertaining manner brimming with memory aids. Our approach has been to: 4) Create a conceptual, organized approach to the organisms studied so the student relies less on memory and more on logical pathophysiology. The text has been updated to include current information on rapidly developing topics, such as HIV and AIDS (vaccine efforts and all the new anti-HIV medications), Ebola virus, Hantavirus, E. coli outbreaks, Mad Cow Disease, and brand-new antimicrobial antibiotics. The mnemonics and cartoons in this book do not intend disrespect for any particular patient population or racial or ethnic group but are solely presented as memory devices to assist in the learning of a complex and important medical subject. We welcome suggestions for future editions. 1) Write in a conversational style for rapid assimilation. 2) Include numerous figures serving as "visual memory tools" and summary charts...
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..."NATURAL PRESERVATIVES" Anthony C. Dweck Research Director, Peter Black Medicare Ltd., White Horse Business Park, Aintree Avenue, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK. BA14 0XB SUMMARY This paper looks at the theoretical development of a natural preservative system using the author's data base on medicinal plants as a source of references. The legal aspects of this concept are considered. The traditional methods of preservation, many taken from the food industry are summarised. The use of alcohol, glycerine, sugar, salt, dessication, anhydrous systems and temperature are amongst examples considered. The definitions of the many words used to describe the act of preservation are considered, and the confusion that results from the presence of the many synonyms is considered. e.g. antimicrobial, antibiotic, antiseptic, bactericidal, etc. Specific organisms are identified as being of particular interest, especially those standard organisms that form part of the B.P. challenge test. These include Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Staphylococcus aureus. A cross-section of plants mentioned in the literature as being specifically targeted at these organisms are considered. The paper concludes with Appendices of plant materials that have mention in the literature according to specific definitions, which may give researchers a potential introduction to future research. KEY WORDS Natural preservation, traditional preservation, challenge test organisms...
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...Clinical guidelines Diagnosis and treatment manual for curative programmes in hospitals and dispensaries guidance for prescribing 2010 EDITION © Médecins Sans Frontières – January 2010 All rights reserved for all countries. No reproduction, translation and adaptation may be done without the prior permission of the Copyright owner. ISBN 2-906498-81-5 Clinical guidelines Diagnosis and treatment manual Editorial Committee: I. Broek (MD), N. Harris (MD), M. Henkens (MD), H. Mekaoui (MD), P.P. Palma (MD), E. Szumilin (MD) and V. Grouzard (N, general editor) Contributors: P. Albajar (MD), S. Balkan (MD), P. Barel (MD), E. Baron (MD), M. Biot (MD), F. Boillot (S), L. Bonte (L), M.C. Bottineau (MD), M.E. Burny (N), M. Cereceda (MD), F. Charles (MD), M.J de Chazelles (MD), D. Chédorge (N), A.S. Coutin (MD), C. Danet (MD), B. Dehaye (S), K. Dilworth (MD), F. Fermon (N), B. Graz (MD), B. Guyard-Boileau (MD), G. Hanquet (MD), G. Harczi (N), M. van Herp (MD), C. Hook (MD), K. de Jong (P), S. Lagrange (MD), X. Lassalle (AA), D. Laureillard (MD), M. Lekkerkerker (MD), J. Maritoux (Ph), J. Menschik (MD), D. Mesia (MD), A. Minetti (MD), R. Murphy (MD), J. Pinel (Ph), J. Rigal (MD), M. de Smet (MD), S. Seyfert (MD), F. Varaine (MD), B. Vasset (MD) (S) Surgeon, (L) Laboratory technician, (MD) Medical Doctor, (N) Nurse, (AA) Anaesthetist-assistant, (Ph) Pharmacist, (P) Psychologist We would like to thank the following doctors for their invaluable help:...
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