Bacteria
Bacterial strain names
Gram stain
Common Habitat
Diseases Caused
Staphylococcus aureus
Escherichia coli
Salmonella enterica
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Enterococcus hirae
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spp
Legionella spp
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Clostridioides difficile (Clostridium difficile)
Bacterial Strains
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P)
Staphylococcus aureus
Overview
Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all staphylococcal bacterial strains. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram positive, round-shaped bacterium, and often causes skin infections, pneumonia, heart valve infections, and bone infections.
Mode of Transmission
These bacteria are spread by direct contact with an infected person, by touching the contaminated object, or by inhaling infected droplets dispersed by sneezing or coughing. Skin infections are common, but the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and infect distant organs.
Important facts
An estimated 20% to 30% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus which can be found as part of the normal skin flora, in the nostrils, and as a normal inhabitant of the lower reproductive tract of women. It is one of the five most common causes of hospital-acquired infections making it an ideal choice for antibacterial testing.
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli
Overview
Escherichia coli (E. coli) are a group of gram-negative bacteria that normally reside in the intestine of healthy people, but some strains can cause infection in the digestive tract, urinary tract, or many other parts of the body.
Mode of Transmission
People develop intestinal E. coli. infections by eating contaminated food, touching infected animals, or swallowing contaminated water in a pool. Intestinal infections can cause diarrhea, sometimes severe or bloody, and abdominal pain.
Important facts
75% to 95% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli. E. coli. outbreaks occur every few years making it an ideal choice for antibacterial testing.
Salmonella enterica
Salmonella enterica
Overview
Salmonella enterica is a gram-negative, rod-shaped, flagellated bacterium. It belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Its genome consists of a single circular chromosome. Most strains contain plasmids which contribute to the virulence and antibiotic resistance of the organism.
Mode of Transmission
The transmission of the pathogen occurs through contaminated food or water and direct or indirect contact with infected animals can also spread infection. The pathogenicity of the organism varies depending on the serovar.
Important facts
Identified as one of the major causes of food-borne diseases. It is known to cause diseases such as typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and non-typhoidal salmonellosis.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Overview
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile, gram-negative bacterium. It belongs to the family Pseudomonadaceae. It is a rod-shaped, opportunistic pathogen. It contains a large and complex genome, typically around 6.3 million base pairs. This complex genome is responsible for the adaptability and resistance of the bacterium to many antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was first identified in the late 19th century by Walter Migula
Mode of Transmission
Transmission can occur through contact with contaminated water, or medical equipment, rarely from person to person. Its pathogenicity is due to the presence of several virulence factors such as exotoxins, enzymes, and biofilm-forming capabilities. These factors allow it to invade host tissues and evade immune responses and develop resistance to antibiotics which makes infections difficult to treat and control.
Important facts
It is known to cause hospital-acquired infections, particularly affecting patients with compromised immune systems. Responsible for causing a range of infections, including pneumonia, UTI, and dermatitis. It is also a common cause of chronic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Overview
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, non-motile, encapsulated, lactose-fermenting,facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. That can cause different types of healthcare associated infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis.
Mode of Transmission
Klebsiella bacteria spreads through person-to-person contact or, less commonly, by contamination of the environment.
Important facts
In the general community, 5% to 38% of individuals carry the organism in their stool and 1% to 6% in the nasopharynx. Hypervirulent strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Hv-Kp) are responsible for causing both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections.
Enterococcus hirae
Enterococcus hirae
Overview
Enterococcus hirae belongs to the Enterococcaceae family. It is a gram-positive cocci-shaped bacteria. It has a low GC-content genome. This allows the organism to adapt to the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. First identified in the 1980s the organism was differentiated from the other enterococci based on biochemical characteristics and genetic studies. The genome of Enterococcus hirae consists of a single circular chromosome. It encodes factors contributing to the organism's resilience and the ability to colonize a wide range of environments.
Mode of Transmission
Enterococcus hirae infections are transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food and water, close contact with infected animals, and hospital environment.
Important facts
Known to cause infections in animals but human infections are mainly confined to nosocomial infections, especially affecting individuals with underlying health conditions. The pathogenicity of Enterococcus hirae is mainly linked to its ability to form biofilms and its resistance to antibiotics leading to complications in treatment strategies.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spp
Overview
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belongs to the family Staphylococcaceae and is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus The bacteria was discovered in 1961, a year after the introduction of methicillin, an antibiotic for treating S. aureus infections. It has proven resistant to most beta-lactam ring-containing antibiotics including methicillin. Hence, the name is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The resistance to methicillin is conferred by penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), encoded by the gene mecA, which has negligible affinity for β-lactam antibiotics.
Mode of Transmission
Infection with MRSA is usually spread through direct contact with infected wounds, contaminated surfaces, and respiratory droplets from infected individuals.
Important facts
Mainly causes skin and soft tissue infection but also causes severe conditions such as bloodstream infection, pneumonia, and surgical site infection. MRSA bacteria also possess the ability to attack the immune system of the host making infections severe and difficult to control and treat.
Legionella spp.
Legionella spp
Overview
Legionella species are gram-negative bacteria from the family Legionellaceae. During an American Legion convention in 1976, an outbreak of pneumonia occurred where it was first discovere.. Despite its natural habitat being natural freshwater systems, Legionella has also been found to be thriving inside amoeba and also in man-made water systems like sanitaryware and cooling towers where they are able to form biofilms.
Mode of Transmission
The transmission of Legionella pneumophila is typically due to inhalation of contaminated water droplets by individuals and its pathogenicity arises from its ability to invade and replicate within macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells in the lungs.
Important facts
Legionella pneumophila is the most well-known species and it adapts to multiple environments because of its highly diverse genome. The bacteria primarily cause two types of infections viz. ‘Pontiac fever’ which is a mild flu-like illness and ‘Legionnaires' disease’ which is a severe form of pneumonia.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Overview
Mycoplasma pneumoniae belongs to the family Mycoplasmataceae. It has a comparatively small genome size of around 816 kb. The organism lacks a cell wall, and due to this property, it is resistant to many common beta-lactam antibiotics. The attachment of the organism to the respiratory epithelium cells and its subsequent damage while evading immune detection are critical features of its pathogenicity. Because of its slow symptom presentation and the lack of a cell wall, M. pneumoniae infections become difficult to diagnose and treat.
Mode of Transmission
Infection with M. pneumoniae is transmitted through droplet inhalation by a healthy individual during coughing or sneezing of the infected host.
Important facts
Initially isolated in the 1940s, M. pneumoniae is a notable respiratory pathogen, especially causing atypical pneumonia, also referred to as "walking pneumonia." The bacterium has been reported to cause bronchitis and rarely encephalitis or hemolytic anemia.
Clostridioides difficile
Clostridioides difficile (Clostridium difficile)
Overview
Clostridioides difficile was formerly known as Clostridium difficile. It is a gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria and belongs to the family Clostridiaceae. Its genome includes a single circular chromosome. It is about 4 to 5 million base pairs in length. It contains genes that contribute to its ability to form spores, produce toxins, and resist antibiotics. Clostridioides difficile was first identified in 1935 but its role as a nosocomial pathogen was not recognized until the 1970s. Clostridium difficile produces two toxins, namely toxin A and B. These toxins are primarily responsible for its pathogenicity. They damage intestinal cells and cause inflammation.
Mode of Transmission
Clostridium difficile is mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, especially in healthcare settings where spores can remain on surfaces for long periods. It causes infections ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal conditions such as severe colitis and toxic megacolon.
Important facts
This bacteria is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and more severe intestinal conditions like pseudomembranous colitis, particularly in hospitals or among those receiving long-term antibiotic therapy. The spore-forming ability of Clostridium difficile allows it to survive in harsh environments for longer periods thus contributing to its transmission and recurrent infections.
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