Unknown Bacteria
Having the ability to collect and identify unknown microorganisms is vital in health and medicine. This capability is important for a variety of reasons, such as knowing the causative agent of disease, knowing if the microorganism obtains any beneficial properties and knowing the correct microorganism to use to create a successful antibiotic. Implementing the experimental methods learned thus far in the microbiology laboratory allowed an unknown bacterium to be identified as a result of this study. This study allows the student to exercise their ability to use and understand sterile techniques, transmission, and prevention of microorganisms. Materials provided by the instructor, including an agar plate and cotton swab were used to collect
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E. faecium is a prokaryote that normally grows in groups or chains and is considered to be vancomycin resistant. Although, E. faecium is typically found in the gut of humans and animals it can be an opportunistic pathogen and may cause infection when the immune system has been damaged. Due to their ability to resist a variety of antibiotics and survive on inanimate objects for long periods of time, they have recently been termed an important nosocomial pathogen referred to as a “superbug”. Infections related to E. faecium include urinary tract infections, wound infections, and soft tissue infections. In a patient who has previously damaged cardiac valves E. faecium may lead to endocarditis. Although Enterococci are part of the normal flora in humans and animals there are only a few of its species that cause clinical infections. The most common being Enterococcus faecalis, which accounts for up to 90% of clinical isolates. However the other species, E. faecium, particularly the vancomycin-resistant strain that was once nearly 10%, is beginning to increase in the amount of clinical isolates. This increase may be a result of surgical wounds, intravascular catheter placement, contaminated food, and poorly treated sewage. Considering the fact that E. faecium may be excreted in human, pets, and
E. faecium is a prokaryote that normally grows in groups or chains and is considered to be vancomycin resistant. Although, E. faecium is typically found in the gut of humans and animals it can be an opportunistic pathogen and may cause infection when the immune system has been damaged. Due to their ability to resist a variety of antibiotics and survive on inanimate objects for long periods of time, they have recently been termed an important nosocomial pathogen referred to as a “superbug”. Infections related to E. faecium include urinary tract infections, wound infections, and soft tissue infections. In a patient who has previously damaged cardiac valves E. faecium may lead to endocarditis. Although Enterococci are part of the normal flora in humans and animals there are only a few of its species that cause clinical infections. The most common being Enterococcus faecalis, which accounts for up to 90% of clinical isolates. However the other species, E. faecium, particularly the vancomycin-resistant strain that was once nearly 10%, is beginning to increase in the amount of clinical isolates. This increase may be a result of surgical wounds, intravascular catheter placement, contaminated food, and poorly treated sewage. Considering the fact that E. faecium may be excreted in human, pets, and