Gardnerella vaginalis started a controversy due to different interpretations of its clinical significance, taxonomic position, and Gram stain reaction. The organism was first named Haemophilus vaginalis. However, it lacked some of the characteristics the Haemophilus species required. It was then referred to as Corynebacterium vaginale. It was later changed to Gardnerella vaginalis when a new genus was necessary (Catlin, 1992). This paper will focus on the characteristics of G. vaginalis and how it is identified.
G. vaginalis cells are gram-negative to gram-variable. These cells are nonmotile, small, pleomorphic rods that do not have endospores, flagella, or typical capsules. In vaginal fluid smears, the Gram reaction may vary from positive to negative (Catlin, 1992). G. vaginalis is viewed in non-crowded areas in a Papanicolaou preparation. Their morphology and staining reactions are affected by the bacteria’s physiological state. Both coccobacilli and longer forms occur in 24 hour cultures of G. vaginalis on blood agar. Their average dimensions are 0.4 by 1.0 to 1.5µm. The cells do not elongate into filaments although they can be up to 2 to 3µm (Catlin, 1992).
Cultures on vaginalis agar exhibited many short gram-negative rods. A medium containing starch showed more pleomorphic, gram-variable, clumped, and beaded cultures. 48 hour cultures of patients’ blood specimens with G. vaginalis were reported as mostly gram-positive (Catlin, 1992). G. vaginalis is beta-hemolytic on media containing human or rabbit blood but not on sheep blood agar. Hemolysis is improved by anaerobic incubation.
Catlin (1992) reports that many different media have been used to isolate G. vaginalis from clinical specimens. The most successful media pos...
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...acteria and mycoplasmas. Additional support for this conclusion was obtained in a study of the grivet monkey as a model for bacteria vaginosis.
Bacteria vaginosis is treated with antibiotic medications (CDC). Metronidazole is commonly used. Metronidazole treatment does not adversely affect lactobacilli so they are able to recolonize the vagina and reduce the risk of late-stage relapse (Catlin, 1992). The cephalosporins available in the late 1970s were not very active against G. vaginalis.
G. vaginalis is still a mystery and is being continuously investigated. Research is being done to identify its causes and pathogenicity. Improved media and methods used for the isolation and identification are beneficial to getting answers. The development of a suitable animal model for bacteria vaginosis is one of the challenging areas for future investigation (Catlin, 1992).
After 48 hours of incubation the agar plates were viewed. Individual colonies were tested for successful isolation by gram staining and then viewing the stained bacteria under a microscope. Isolation was successful. One colony of each unknown bacteria was transferred to an agar slant for growth. The agar slants were stored at room temperature over the weekend so that they would not grow too much.
Streak plate technique was used to isolate pure culture for each bacteria (2). The Gram stain was used to determine Gram reaction and morphology of each bacteria (2) Selective and differential media such as, salt agar, MacConkey agar and blood agar were used for bacterial identification (2). Gelatin deeps were inoculated to detect production of gelatinase (2). Starch Agar plate were inoculated to detect amylase (2). Ocular reticle used to determine bacteria size (2). Motility deeps were inoculated to detect motility on bacteria (2). Thioglycollate broth used to determine oxygen requirements (2). Carbohydrate fermentation
The purpose of this study is to identify an unknown bacterium from a mixed culture, by conducting different biochemical tests. Bacteria are an integral part of our ecosystem. They can be found anywhere and identifying them becomes crucial to understanding their characteristics and their effects on other living things, especially humans. Biochemical testing helps us identify the microorganism present with great accuracy. The tests used in this experiment are rudimentary but are fundamental starting points for tests used in medical labs and helps students attain a better understanding of how tests are conducted in a real lab setting. The first step in this process is to use gram-staining technique to narrow down the unknown bacteria into one of the two big domains; gram-negative and gram-positive. Once the gram type is identified, biochemical tests are conducted to narrow down the specific bacterial species. These biochemical tests are process of elimination that relies on the bacteria’s ability to breakdown certain kinds of food sources, their respiratory abilities and other biochemical conditions found in nature.
Meanwhile, a study made by Palmer found that inhaled antibiotics used as adjunct to systemic antibiotic therapy has proven to improve the clinical outcome of patients with MDR VAP (6). The study also showed a direct relationship between antibiotic resistance with the se of systematic antibiotics. Aerosolized antibiotic used in this study that are proven to be effective are: amikacin, colistin, ceftazidime, gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomycin, and yancomycin.
The purpose of this investigation was to identify an unknown bacterium. “At any time there are millions of bacteria living around, on, or inside us” (The Plague). Bacterium can’t be identified by merely looking at it. Many bacteria have the similar appearances in growth. “In most cases, detection is based on the reaction of an enzyme with a certain substrate” (Sigma-Aldrich). Identification is usually based on the results of the bacterium’s cells metabolic capacities.
Treponema pallidum is transmitted sexually through oral, anal, vaginal intercourse and from mom to baby during pregnancy or during birth (1). The human host is the only natural known for Treponema pallidum but testing can be done on rabbits for p...
The second morphological stage of G. lamblia is the cyst form. The cyst is generally egg-shaped and measures eight to fourteen micrometers in length. The width of the cyst is between seven and ten micrometers. When in this form, the original organelle is duplicated. Instead of just having the two nuclei, the microbe now exhibits four nuclei, four median ...
Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a curable, bacterial, sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae (a member of the family Neisseriaceae). Bacteria are introduced during sexual contact. These bacteria can infect the genital tract, the mouth, and the rectum. It attacks the urethra in males, the cervix in females, and the throat. The majority of the organisms belonging to this family are non-pathogenic or commensals, however, gonorrhea is always pathogenic.
There are two tests that doctors can use to detect gonorrhea, urine test or a swab of the affected area. The urine test can identify a disease, even when there are no signs or symptoms displayed. There is a swab test of the affected area, sometimes there are multiple test done to detect which sexually transmitted disease is present, home testing is available. When you have a home test done it is sent off to a lab to get analyzed and identify what is present. Gonorrhea is treated by several kinds of antibiotics, which are ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and doxycycline. The treatment is used for people who have tested positive for gonorrhea or somebody that had intercourse with someone that was diagnosed. When newborns are treated for gonorrhea, they are given medication in their eye. To prevent gonorrhea from returning don’t have sexual intercourse with someone that has or had gonorrhea until they get tested and it comes back
The fishy odor associated with bacterial vaginosis is the product of amines from anaerobic (Hainer & Gibson, 2011). The odor associated with bacterial vaginosis is more prominent when there is an increase in vaginal pH, which mostly occurs after sexual intercourse when semen is present in the vagina, as well as during menstrual cycle (Hainer & Gibson, 2011). In comparison to many other vaginal infections, bacterial vaginosis is not associated with inflammation of the vaginal mucosal and/or vulvar itch (Hainer & Gibson, 2011).
Coccidioides infection can be demonstrated by an antigen based ELISA using Coccidioides galactomannan. When performed upon urine a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 99% was demonstrated. (26)The test performed best in patients with severe forms of the disease. Cross reactions with other endemic mycoses occurred in 10% of patients. (26)
wards. Clinical Microbiology And Infection: The Official Publication Of The European Society Of Clinical Microbiology And Infectious Diseases, 18(12), 1215-1217. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03735.x
Cystitis cause by bacterial infection is generally treated with antibiotics. Treatment for noninfectious cystitis depends on the underlying cause.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are the second major cause of unpleasant disease in young adult women worldwide (1). Genital infection of Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common STIs and considered as the most common treatable and preventable STIs and cause of infertility in women (2). Although infection with C. trachomatis has been suggested to be a cause of infertility due to the sequels on the genital tract, but in many hospitals and clinics do not be routine screening for C. trachomatis infections. Nowadays, detection of C. trachomatis infections has improved with development of nucleic acid based amplification methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in urine samples and most countries estab...
T. pallidum is highly sensitive to oxygen and has a decreased ability to survive when not in human body temperature environments 1. The mode of transmission is through sexual contact or vertical transmission from the mother to the fetus. T. pallidum lacks the lipopolysaccharide which is the endotoxin normally present in gram negative bacteria1. The bacterium does produce many lipoproteins which are thought to prompt the inflammatory mediators through the recognition of toll-like receptors1. T. pallidum has a virulence factor of being highly motile due to its ability to propel itself forward by rotating on a longitudinal axis1. The spirochetes easily penetrate the skin or mucosal membranes and spread throughout the lymph nodes and then the blood circulation, affecting many parts in the body1.