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Microbiology 1.03 Basic Concepts 1

The document outlines a lecture on basic microbiology concepts. It begins with an introduction to bacterial classification and identification methods. Key points covered include the bacterial cell wall, which differs in structure between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria have a very thick peptidoglycan layer comprising 20% of cell weight, while gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer of about 10% cell weight. The document also lists learning objectives which cover classification criteria, identification methods like gram staining and metabolic characteristics, and structures related to virulence.

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Camila Barzaga
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
95 views9 pages

Microbiology 1.03 Basic Concepts 1

The document outlines a lecture on basic microbiology concepts. It begins with an introduction to bacterial classification and identification methods. Key points covered include the bacterial cell wall, which differs in structure between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria have a very thick peptidoglycan layer comprising 20% of cell weight, while gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer of about 10% cell weight. The document also lists learning objectives which cover classification criteria, identification methods like gram staining and metabolic characteristics, and structures related to virulence.

Uploaded by

Camila Barzaga
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Subject:

  MICROBIOLOGY   Second  Semester  A.Y.  2013-­‐2014  


Topic:   1.02  Basic  Concepts  
Lecturer:   Ruth  Faye  R.  Sengson,  MD.  FPPS,  DPIDSP  
  Date:   June  24,  2014  
   
   
   
OUTLINE  

I.  Introduction   VIII.  Cell  Structures  as  Virulence  


II.  The  Bacterial  Cell  Wall   Factors  
III.  Gram  Staining     A.  Flagella  
IV.  Bacterial  Growth  Curve     B.  Pili  
V.  Bacterial  Morphology     C.  Endospores  
VI.  Cytoplasmic  Structures                D.  Capsule  
VII.  Bacterial  Metabolic  Characteristics   IX.  Toxins  as  Virulence  Factors  
  A.  Growth                A.  Exotoxins  
  B.  Oxygen                B.  Endotoxins  
             C.  Carbon  and  Energy  Source  

LEARNING  OBJECTIVES  
At  the  end  of  the  lecture,  the  student  should  be  able  to:  
1. Enumerate  and  discuss  the  different  criteria  used  for  
classification  
2. Discuss  the  different  methods  used  in  the  laboratory  for  
identification  of  bacteria    
a. cell  wall  (gram  stain)   Figure  1.  Taxonomic  Ranks  (Organization  of  Bacteria)  
b. bacterial  morphology    
c. metabolic  characteristics  
LEGEND:  Italicized:  quoted  from  lecturer   II.  THE  BACTERIAL  CELL  WALL  
References:Clinical  Microbiology  (Gladwin  and  Trattler);  Jawetz  
 
 

I.  INTRODUCTION  
 
Classification  
• Bacteria  are  categorized  into  taxonomic  groups  or  ranks  
• Experimental   and   observational   techniques   are   required  
to  classify  bacteria  according  to  several  characteristics    
o biochemical:   e.g   oxidase   (-­‐),   catalase   (+)  
coagulase  (-­‐)  
o physiological:   e.g   facultative   anaerobe,  
ferments  lactose  
 
o morphologi:  e.g  gram  (-­‐)  rod,  motile    
o genetic:  e.g  DNA  sequencing  
Nomenclature  
• This  refers  to  the  naming  of  an  organism  by  international  
rules   (established   by   a   recognized   group   of   medical  
professionals)  according  to  its  characteristics  
• A   taxonomist   uses   DNA   sequencing   to   determine   the  
genetic  relatedness  of  organisms.  
 
Identification  
• The  practical  use  of  a  classification  scheme  to:  
1. Isolate  and  distinguish  desirable  organisms  from  
undesirable  ones    
2. Verify  the  authenticity  or  special  properties  of  a  
culture  in  a  clinical  setting    
3. Isolate  and  identify  the  causative  agent  of  a  disease  
   
  Figure  2.The  Bacterial  Cell  Wall  
 
Trans  Group:  REYES,  RICIO,  RIRAO,  RIVERA,  RODIL  
Edited  By:    
Page 1 of 9  
• All  bacteria  have  a  bacterial  cell  wall  -­‐-­‐peptidoglycan   Additional  Notes:  
layer.  
• In  figure  2,  it  differs  between  gram  negative  and  gram    
positive  organisms.  Usually,  the  peptidoglycan  layer   • They  do  not  block  antibiotics  as  efficiently  as  G-­‐  bacteria.  Their  
protects  the  cytoplasm  and  the  nucleus  of  the  organism   cell  walls  also  allow  for  the  primary  stain  (in  gram  stain)  to  
from  the  environment.     remain.  
• In  gram  positive  cell  wall,  the  peptidoglycan  layer  is  very   • Most  G+  cell  walls  contain  considerable  amounts  of  teichoic  
thick  -­‐-­‐20%  of  the  dry  weight  of  the  bacteria.   and  teichouronic  acids.  They  may  also  contain  polysaccharide  
• In  gram  negative  cell  wall,  the  peptidoglycan  layer  thin-­‐-­‐-­‐   molecules  
about  10%  of  the  dry  weight  of  the  bacteria.   • Teichoic  and  Teichouronic  acids  
• Both  are  basically  composed  of  disaccharides  and  amino   o All  wall,  membrane,  or  capsular  polymers  that  contain  
acids.  Petidoglycan  layer  unit  =  disaccharide  with  amino   glycerophosphate  or  ribitol  phosphate  residues.  
acid  side  chains.   o Responsible  for  the  negative  charge  of  the  G+  cell  surface  
  as  a  whole.  
NOTES:   o There  are  two  types:  
1. Wall  teichoic  acid  (WTA)  which  is  covalently  linked  to  
• Both  gram  (+)  and  (-­‐)  have  more  than  1  layer   peptidoglycan  
protecting  the  cytoplasm  and  nucleus   2. Membrane  teichoic  acid  which  is  covalently  linked  to  the  
• Just  outside  the  cytoplasmic  membrane  is   membrane  glycolipid.  Because  of  its  intimate  association  
peptidoglycan  layer  or  cell  wall  for  both  gram  (+)  and   with  lipids  in  the  cell  membrane,  they  are  also  called  
(-­‐)   lipoteichoic  acids  (LTA)  
  o WTA  and  LTA  help  provide  elasticity,  porosity,  tensile  strength,  
  and  electrostatic  properties  of  the  bacterial  envelope.  
o They  constitute  major  surface  antigens  and  may  also  serve  as  
antigenic  determinants  as  in  the  case  of  S.  pneumonia  

 
 
gram  (+)  –  thick  cell  wall   B. Gram-­‐Negative  Cell  Wall  
gram  (-­‐)  –  thin  cell  wall    
 
A. Gram  Positive  Cell  wall  
 
 

 
Figure  3.  Gram  Positive  Cell  Wall  
 
 
• Usually  the  outer  cell  wall  of  gram  positive  comprises  of   Figure  4.  Gram  Negative  Cell  Wall  
cross-­‐linkages   of   peptidoglycan,   teichoic   acid   which   is   a    
protein,  polysaccharides,  and  other  proteins  as  well.    
• It  usually  has  three  layers:  
• The   lipoteichoic   acid   (LTA)   is   an   antigenic   determinant  
for  serologic  identification.    
• cytoplasmic  membrane  (red  circle)  –also  present  in  
gram-­‐positive  bacteria    
• Within   the   cytoplasmic   membrane,   it   is   comprised   of   a   ****periplasmic  space***  
phospholipid   bilayer.Proteins   within   the   phospholipid  
• peptidoglycan  layer  (blue  circle)  
bilayer  also  serve  as  a  transport  medium  for  nutrient.  
  • outer  cell  membrane  (green  circle)  -­‐-­‐-­‐almost  
exclusive  to  gram  negative  bacteria    
 
Page 2 of 9  
• The  inner  cytoplasmic  membrane  –  contains  phospholipid   CLINICAL  APPLICATION!  
bilayer  (same  as  gram  positive)  with  proteins   • Gram-­‐positive    
  o Remember   the   peptidoglycan   layer   is   quite   thick   and  
• There   is   periplasmic   space   between   the   cytoplasmic   does   not   block   diffusion   of   low   molecular   weight  
membrane   and   an   extremely   thin   peptidoglycan   layer.   This   compounds  
space  is  filled  with  a  gel  that  contains  proteins  and  enzymes.   o Therefore,  substances  that  damage  the  cytoplasmic  
  membrane  could  pass  though  (e.g.  antibiotics,  dyes,  
detergent)  
• Peptidoglycan   layer   -­‐   very   thin   and   usually   contains   many  
• Gram-­‐negative  Organisms  
enzymes.   For   gram-­‐negative,   it   does   not   have   the   lipotechoic  
acid   (LTA)   but   instead   it   has   the   murein   lipoprotein   which   o Outer  LPS  cell  membrane  blocks  the  passage  to  the  
serves  as  a  nutrient  transport  system  and  extends  outward  to   peptidoglycan  layer  and  sensitive  inner  cytoplasmic  
the  outer  membrane.     membrane    
  o Therefore,  antibiotics  and  chemicals  are  unable  to  
pass  through  -­‐>  peptidoglycan  cell  wall  remains  intact  
• The  outer   membrane  is  the  lipopolysaccharide   layer   (LPS)  -­‐-­‐-­‐  
 
phospholipid   bilayer   with   hydrophobic   tails   similar   to   other  
membranes.  This  is  comprised  of  three  components:   III.  GRAM  STAINING  
     
1. O-­‐specific   side   chains   or   O-­‐antigen   -­‐-­‐   outer   carbohydrate  
chains   of   1-­‐50   oligosaccharide   units   which   differs   from   one  
• Bacteria  are  colorless  and  usually  invisible  on  light  microscopy  
organism  to  another  and  are  antigenic  determinants.     • Gram  stains  (colorful  stains)  separates:    
(TIP:  O  for  outer)   ▪ organisms  into  gram  (+)  and  gram  (-­‐)  bacteria  
  ▪ Allows  the  clinician  to  determine  the  morphology  
2.  Core  polysaccharide  –  central  part   (shape)  of  the  microorganism  
 
3.  Lipid  A  –  interior  to  core  polyssacharide  
• a  disaccharide  with  multiple  fatty  acids    
• also  known  as  ENDOTOXIN  and  is  toxic  to  
human  
 
IMPORTANT  

Endotoxins    
 -­‐almost  exclusively  found  in  gram  negativebacteria  except  for  
one  gram  positive  which  is  Listeria,  but  this  lipid  A  is  toxic  to  
man.    
 
 -­‐Usually,  as  a  man  gets  infected,  the  bacteria  lyses  itself,  this  
lipid  A  is  released  to  the  body  and  this  causes  the  clinical  
manifestations  of  sepsis  like  fever,  shock,  chills,  and  so  on.    
Figure  5:  Gram  staining  
 
Just  remember  VIAS  –  violet,  iodine,  alcohol,  safranin  
Porin  channels  also  serve  as  nutrient  transport  system  for  gram  
 
negative  organisms.  
For  any  stain,  you  must  first  smear  the  substance  to  be  stained  
(sputum,  pus,  etc.)  onto  a  slide  and  then  heat  it  to  fix  the  bacteria  on  
  the  slide.    
  There  are  4  steps  to  the  Gram  stain:    
Additional  Notes   1)Pour  on  crystal  violet  stain  (a  blue  dye)  and  wait  60  
seconds.  
• The  outer  membrane  is  responsible  for  blocking  the  entry   2)Wash  off  with  water  and  flood  with  iodine  solution.  Wait  
of  harmful  chemicals  into  the  peptidoglycan  layer  and   60  seconds.    
the  cytoplasmic  membrane  (this  is  also  the  reason  why   3)Wash  off  with  water  and  then  "decolorize"  with  95%  
the  primary  stain  (crystal  violet  in  gram  stain)  does  not   alcohol.  
stick  to  the  bacteria)   4)Finally,  counter-­‐stain  with  safranin  (a  red  dye).  Wait  30  
seconds  and  wash  off  with  water  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Additional  notes:  
Other  Bacteria  According  to  cell  wall  Characteristics  
• Acid-­‐Fast  Bacteria  (AFB)  
o Constitutes  the  cell  wall  of  Mycobacteria.    
o Contain  large  amounts  of  waxes,  and  mycolic  
acids  
o Very  hydrophobic  and  is  highly  resistant  to  
many  harsh  chemicals,  including  detergents  and  
strong  acids.    
o They  are  called  acid-­‐fast  bacteria  because  unlike  
other  bacteria,  dyes  that  are  introduced  to  them  
by  brief  heating  or  treatment  with  detergents  
cannot  be  removed  by  dilute  hydrochloric  acid.  
• Mycoplasmas  
o They  lack  cell  wall  and  contain  no  
  peptidoglycan.  
  o Because  they  lack  cell  walls,  they  vary  in  shape    
Figure  6.  Gram  staining  
 
o These  bacteria  lack  a  target  for  cell  wall-­‐
inhibiting  antimicrobial  agents  like  penicillins  
For  crystal  violet,  gram  positive  bacteria  -­‐-­‐  the  peptidoglycan  layer  is  
and  cephalosporins.  Because  of  this,  they  are  
thick,   so   it   retains   the   color   of   violet.   If   it   is   gram   positive,   it   just   stays  
resistant  to  these  drugs  
there  regardless  of  what  other  stains  you  pour  in.  it  just  remains  blue.  
 
Whereas   if   it   is   gram   negative,   when   you   wash   and   add   iodine   and  
alcohol,   the   color   will   be   removed.   When   you   pour   the   final   stain   IV.  BACTERIAL  GROWTH  CURVE  
which  is  safranin,  it  retains  the  red  color.    
 
  If   a   fixed   volume   of   liquid   medium   is   inoculated   with   microbial   cells  
  from  a  culture  that  has  previously  been  grown  to  saturation  and  the  
  population   is   periodically   determined   and   plotted,   a   growth   curve  
  containing   a   (1)   lag   phase,   (2)   log   phase,   (3)   stationary   phase,   and   (4)  
  decline  phase  is  observed.  
  1) LAG  PHASE:  
 
  • Period  during  which  cells  are  depleted  of  
  metabolites  and  enzymes,  adapt  to  the  new  
  environment  
  • Enzymes  and  intermediates  start  to  form  and  
  accumulate  until  optimum  concentrations  that  
  permit  growth  to  resume  
  2) LOG  or  EXPONENTIAL  PHASE:  
  • Cells  are  in  steady  state  
GRAM-­‐POSITIVE  =  BLUE!  
• New  cell  material  is  being  synthesized  at  a  
GRAM-­‐NEGATIVE  =  RED!  
constant  rate  
 
Table  1.  Differences  between  gram  positive  and  gram  negative   • Continues  until:  
Bacteria   o Nutrients  in  the  medium  become  
exhausted  
o
Toxic  metabolic  products  accumulate  
and  inhibit  growth  (e.g.  oxygen)  
3) STATIONARY  PHASE  
• Exhaustion  of  nutrients  or  
• Accumulation  of  toxic  products  causes  growth  
to  cease  completely  
• Cell  turn  over  takes  place  
4) DECLINE/DEATH  PHASE  

 
Page 4 of 9  
 
THINGS  TO  REMEMBER!!  
 
A.  Gram  positive:  
 
2  gram-­‐positive  Cocci  
• Streptococcus  
• Staphylococcus  
 
4  gram-­‐positive  Bacilli  
• 2  of  them  produce  spores  
o Bacillus  
  o Clostridium  
Figure  7.  The  bacterial  Growth  Curve   • 2  are  non-­‐spore  formers  
 
o Corynebacterium  
BACTERIAL  MORPHOLOGY   o Listeria  have  
  endotoxins!!!  
Bacteria  have  4  major  shapes    
• Cocci:  Spherical   B.  Gram  Negative:  
o Diplococci:  in  pairs    
o Tetrads:  four,  planar   • Only  1  group  of  gram-­‐negative  cocci  (diplococcus)  
o Sarcinae:  cubical  bundles  (8  cells)   o Neisseria  
o Streptococci:  chains    
o Staphylococci:  arranged  like  a  bundle  of  grapes    
 
• Bacilli:  Rods  
 
o Cocobacilli:  short  rods    
o Diplobacilli:  in  pairs    
o Streptobacilli:  in  chains    
o Palisade:  arranged  in  parallel   • Only  1  group  of  spiral-­‐shaped  organism  
• Spiral:  comma-­‐shaped,  S-­‐shaped,  or  spiral   o Spirochetes:  Treponemapallidum  (causes  
syphilis)  
• Pleomorphic:  lacks  a  distinct  shape  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• The  rest  are  gram-­‐negative  rods  or  pleomorphic  

 
EXCEPTIONS  
 
Figure  8.  Bacterial  Morphology   • Mycobacteria  
  o Weakly  gram-­‐positive  
  o Stains  better  with  acid-­‐fast  stain  
 
 
• Spirochetes  
  o Gram  negative  but  are  two  small  even  for  light  
  microscopy  
  o Visualized  with  darkfield  microscopy  
  • Mycoplasma  
 
 
o No  cell  wall  

 
Page 5 of 9  
 
VII.  BACTERIAL  METABOLIC  CHARACTERISTICS  
VI. CYTOPLASMIC  STRUCTURES    
  Usually,  bacteria  can  be  categorized  according  to  their  metabolic  
  properties.  This  can  include  how  the  bacteria  would  deal  with  oxygen  
and  how  the  organism  uses  carbon  and  energy  sources.  
 
A. CRITERIA  FOR  CLASSIFICATION  :  GROWTH  
 
• Types  of  nutrient  
• Size  of  colony  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
Figure  10.  Type  of  nutrient  -­‐  Blood  agar  plate  with  hemolysis  
 

 
Figure    9.  Cytoplasmic  structures  in  the  bacteria  
• The  chromosome  just  contains  the  bacterial  DNA.  Usually,  
it  is  double  stranded.  Aside  from  the  bacterial  DNA,  there  
is   another   structure   which   is   called   plasmid.   This   plasmid  
is   also   double   stranded   DNA   and   usually   this   plasmid  
carries  the  antibiotic  resistant  gene.  
 
PLASMIDS:    
• Smaller  circular  segments  of  double-­‐stranded  DNA   Figure  11.  Size  of  colony  –  large  colonies  
 
• Carry  antibiotic  resistant  genes  
B. CRITERIA  FOR  CLASSIFICATION  :  OXYGEN  
• Extrachromosomal  DNA  
• May  occur  in  multiple  copies    
• Code  for  special  functions  (e.g.  virulence  factors,  sex  pili   • Molecular  oxygen  is  very  reactive,  and  when  it  snatches  
genes,  other  metabolic  factors,  resistance  genes)   up  electrons,  it  can  form:  
  o  Hydrogen  peroxide  (H2O2)    
RIBOSOMES:   o  Superoxide  radicals  (O2                             toxic  when  broken  down  
• Composed  of  protein  and  RNA   o  Hydroxyl  radical  (OH-­‐)  
• Involved  in  the  translation  process  during  bacterial   • Own  macrophages  produces  these  oxygen  radicals  as  a  
protein  synthesis   defense  to  bacteria.  
• Bacterial  ribosome:  70S  particle  that  has  2subunits:  large   • SOME  BACTERIA  ARE  SMART  THOUGH:  
(50S)  and  small  (30S)  
o Possess  enzymes  to  break  down  these  oxygen  
• Bacterial  ribosomes  are  important  because  some   products:  
antibiotics  act  on  the  ribosomes  since  it  disrupts  the  
ribosome  production,  it  also  disrupts  the  protein  synthesis  
▪ Catalase  -­‐  breaks  down  hydrogen  peroxide  
of  the  bacteria,  therefore,  killing  the  bacteria.   ▪ Peroxidase    
  ▪ Superoxide  dismutase  -­‐  breaks  down  superoxide  
  radical  
   
 

 
Page 6 of 9  
 
• BACTERIA  OXYGEN  SPECTRUM    
 
 
1. Obligate  Aerobes  
 
• Use  glycolysis,  Krebs  TCA  cycle,  &  electron  transport    
chain  with  oxygen      
• Possesses  all  above  enzymes    
2. Facultative  Anaerobes    
• Use  oxygen  in  electron  transport  chain  &  have    
catalase  and  superoxide  dismutase    
 
• Can  grow  in  the  absence  of  oxygen  by  using  
 
fermentation  for  energy  
 
3. Microaerophilic  (aerotolerant  anaerobes)  
 
• Use  fermentation,  have  no  electron  transport  system    
• Can  tolerate  low  amounts  of  oxygen  (because  they    
possess  superoxide  dismutase)      
4. Obligate  Anaerobes    
• Hate  oxygen,  NO  enzymes  to  utilize  oxygen    
  Figure  13.    They  keep  the  bacteria  moving  around  and  they  are  affixed  
to   a   basal   body.   This   basal   body   spans   through   the   entire   cell   wall,  
C. CRITERIA  FOR  CLASSIFICATION  :  CARBON  AND  ENERGY  SOURCE   binding   the   outer   and   inner   cell   membrane   of   most   organisms.   The  
  basal  body  acts  as  a  hook  to  the  flagella.  
• All   medically   important   bacteria   are   chemotrophs   -­‐   use    
chemical  &  organic  compounds  (glucose)  for  energy     • Basal  Body  of  flagellum  
• Fermentation   (glycolysis)   -­‐   Fermentation   is   usually   used   o Spins  around  and  spins  the  flagellum  
by   many   bacteria   for   their   oxygen   metabolism.   Usually,   o Causes  the  flagellum  to  undulate  in  a  coordinated  manner  
glucose   is   broken   down   to   pyruvic   acid   and   therefore   to   move   the   bacteria   toward   or   away   from   a   chemical  
when  pyruvic  acid  is  broken  down,  you  will  yield  ATP.   concentration  gradient  (chemotaxis)  
• Respiration      
• Obilgate   Intracellular   organisms   –   not   capable   of   B. PILI  
metabolic   pathways   for   ATP   synthesis,   thus   consume  
 
host’s  ATP  
 
 
 
VIII.  CELL  STRUCTURES  AS  VIRULENCE  FACTORS    
 
A. FLAGELLA    
   
 
 
 
 
Figure  14.Bacterial  Pili    
 
• looks   like   spikes   outside   the   bacterial   cell   wall.   They   are   shorter  
than   the   flagella   and   do   not   move.   They   usually   serve   as  
ADHERENCE  factor.  
 
• Functions:  
A. Attachment:  
-­‐ Neisseria  gonorrhea,  the  pili  are  being  used  to  attach  to  
the  mucous  membrane.  
-­‐ E.  coli  and  Campylobacter  jejuni.  Pili  are  used  to  attach  to  
the  GI  lining  which  eventually  leads  to  diarrhea.    
-­‐ Bordetella  pertussis  where  the  pili  is  being  used  to  attach  
to  the  respiratory  system  leading  to  the  whooping  cough.    
 
Figure  12.  Flagella  are  protein  filaments.  Usually,  they  extend  as  long   B. Conjugation/Sexual  Reproduction  
hair  or  long  tails  from  the  bacterial  cell  membranes.   -­‐  Sex  pili  make  the  exchange  of  genetic  substances  
  between  two  organisms.  

 
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Antibodies  directed  against  bacterial  capsules  helps  the  macrophages  
C. ENDOSPORES  
and  neutrophils  bind  to  and  phagocytize  the  encapsulated  bacteria  
  (opsonization).  This  is  the  principle  behind  pneumococcal  vaccines.  
• Formed  only  by  2  bacteria:      
-­‐  both  are  gram-­‐positive:  Bacillus  (aerobic)  and  the   IX.  TOXINS  AS  VIRULENCE  FACTORS  
anaerobic  Clostridium    
• Metabolically   dormant   forms   of   bacteria   that   are   resistant   to   A. EXOTOXINS  
heat  (boiling),  cold,  drying  and  chemical  agents    
o Activated  when  exposed  to  a  favorable  nutrient  or   • Proteins  released  by  both  gram-­‐positive  and  gram–negative  
environment   bacteria  
• They  have  a  multilayered  protective  coat  consisting  of:   • Causes  a  variety  of  disease  manifestations    
o a  cell  membrane    
o a  thick  peptidoglycan  mesh   1.    Neurotoxins  -­‐  act  on  nerves  and  motor  endplates  causing  
paralaysis;  ex.  tetanus  toxin  and  botulinum  toxin  
o another  cell  membrane  
o a  wall  of  keratin-­‐like  protein  
 
2.  Enterotoxins  -­‐  acts  on  the  GIT  to  cause  diarrhea    
o an  outer  layer  called  the  exosporium  
• Inhibits  NaCl  absorption  →  activates  NaCl  secretion  or  kills  
• Spores  form  when  there  is  a  shortage  of  needed  nutrients  and   intestinal  epithelial  cells  →    osmotic  pull  of  fluid  into  the  
can   lie   dormant   for   years.   Surgical   instruments   are   heated   in   intestine  →    diarrhea    
an   autoclave,   which   uses   steam   under   pressure,   to   121°C   for  
15   minutes,   in   order   to   ensure   the   destruction   of  
Clostridiumand  Bacillusspores.  
 
D. CAPSULE  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Infectious  diarrhea  :  Vibrio  cholera,  Escherichia  coli,  
Campylobacter  jejuni,  Shigella  dysenteriae  
Figure   15.   Remember   that   the   capsule   is   different   from   the   cell   • Food  poisoning:  Bacillus  cereus  and  Staphylococcus  
membrane   and   not   all   organisms   have   capsules.   Usually,   they   serve   aureus  
as  a  protective  wall  outside  the  cell  membrane,  and  usually,  they  are    
composed   of   simple   sugar   residues   and   they   secrete   these   which   3.  Pyrogenic  exotoxins    
eventually   coat   the   outer   wall   of   such   organisms.   One   unique   • Stimulates  release  of  cytokines  that  causes  rash,  fever  and  
organism   would   be   Bacillusanthracis   because   their   cell   wall   is   toxic  shock  syndrome  
comprised  of  amino  acid  residues.  Eventually,  these  capsules  serve  as  
a   virulent   factor   because   the   macrophages   are   unable   to   • Ex.  Staphylococcus  aureus,  Streptococcus  pyogenes  
phagocytise  this  encapsulated  organism.  Usually,  as  the  first  defense    
of   the   body,   the   macrophage   would   swallow   some   bacterium   but    
because   of   the   capsule,   sinusuka   lang   niya   (it   spits   it   out).   One    
example   would   be   Streptococcus   pneumoniae.   The   thicker   the    
capsule,  the  more  protected  the  organism  is.    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Figure  17.  Rashes  caused  by  pyrogenic  exotoxins.  
   
Figure  16.  Streptococcuspneumoniae  with  capsule.    
 
 
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4.  Tissue  invasive  exotoxins  –  allows  bacteria  to  destroy  and  tunnel  
through  tissues  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure  18.  Tissue  invasion  by  bacteria  
 
Miscellaneous  exotoxins  –  can  cause  disease  unique  to  the  individual  
bacterium  
 
Toxin  production  –  e.g.  hemolysin  

 
Figure   19.   Gamma   hemolysis   =   there   is   no   hemolysis.   Alpha/green  
hemolysis   =   there   is   partial   destruction   of   red   blood   cells.   Beta  
hemolysis  =  complete  hemolysis  of  red  blood  cells.  
 
 
B. ENDOTOXINS  
 
Released  when  the  bacterial  undergoes  lysis  
• Only  present  in  gram-­‐negative  bacteria  with  one    
• Exception:  Listeria  monocytogenes-­‐  Gram  positive  
• Septic  shock    
• Because   endotoxin   often   triggers   the   immune   response   that  
results   in   sepsis   and   shock   (eventually   leading   to   circulatory  
collapse  and  organ  dysfunction)  

 
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