Microbiology

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Microbiology

• RTH 101 Integrated Sciences
• Fall 2000
• Dr. Joe DiPietro

2
Micro---The Bacteria

• Are categorized by being either
• Rods (bacilli)
• Cocci (globe-shaped)
• Spirochetes (spiral-shaped)

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The next part of classification

• Pertains specifically to whether the bacteria
  are---
• Aerobes (require oxygen)
• Anaerobes (do not require oxygen)

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The final part of classification

• Is related to whether the bacteria are either
• Gram positive (based upon Grams stain, these
  bacteria take the stain and keep it) and look
  somewhat purple under microscopy, OR
• Gram negative (even though they are stained
  w/Grams stain these DO NOT hold the stain, AND
  do hold the counter stain like carbol fuschin
  and appear pink or a reddish color under
  microscopy

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Bacteria are neither plant nor animal

• They are protists
• Some bacteria live with us all of the time
  symbiotically, that is, we need them and they
  need us
• They usually multiply as do any other cell, but
  require a host to reside and multiply
• They usually have DNA as their genetic material

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Bacteria are neither plant nor animal

• Some are opportunists, that is, they can take
  advantage of a weak host, but if the host is
  strong, they can live within the host without
  symptom
• They can live anywhere, but prefer warmth,
  moisture and darkness

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The most difficult to treat

• Are anaerobes, because they can live in
  deoxygenated environments
• The next most difficult are the gram negatives,
  such as H. influenza (not a virus) and
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• The easiest to treat (for the most part) are the
  gram positives, such as Staph and Strep, but
  even these exist in resistant strains

8
Viruses

• Considered to be neither living or non-living
• Causing incredible diseases from measles, RSV
  (respiratory syncitial virus) in children,
  poliomyelitis, to HIV
• Some are treatable and/or preventable some
  cannot be treated (there is no known treatment)

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How we obtain bacteria

• Actually, from everyday living
• If we get appropriate rest, a good diet, UV
  radiation in acceptable amount, wash out hands,
  bacteria dont like this
• But if we are worn to a frazzle, eat a poor diet,
  dont wash our hands, or we have been taking meds
  that immunosuppress us, bacteria LOVE this!!!

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Oddly

• Our resultant infections are from us, that is,
  from our own symbiotic (under normal conditions)
  relationship with bacteria
• This is a situation when the bacteria find an
  opportunity (hence, opportunists) to multiply
• Other methods of transmission includeair, water,
  touch, droplet nuclei from sneezing or coughing

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Typical virus transmission

• Is through the air as droplet nuclei
• Others are blood, saliva, or mucus borne
• PERHAPS THIS IS WHY WE FOLLOW STRICT PRECAUTIONS
  WHEN SERVING THE SICK OR INJUREDto protect them,
  and us