Interested In Obtaining Staphylococcus Aureus For A ✓ Solved

You are interested in obtaining Staphylococcus aureus for a

QUESTION 1 You are interested in obtaining Staphylococcus aureus for a study investigating the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the general population. You have received several samples and are ready to start your isolation procedures. Describe the personal protective equipment that would be needed and three different culturing techniques that can be used to obtain organisms to produce pure cultures. State if you use general or selective media and which specific media you would choose. How would you determine if the culture was contaminated? What is the first step you would take if you detected contamination.

QUESTION 2 Explain the different stages of syphilis. (Terminology/topics to include: causative organism (morphology, gram-stain reaction), mode of transmission, chancre, gumma, symptoms, likelihood of infection, treatment options at different stages, the damage that can occur during different stages, prevention methods).

QUESTION 3 List three protozoan infections of the circulatory system that are transmitted by arthropods. Include the disease name, specific organism (genus species), a vector that is the intermediate between hosts, and disease progress in humans.

QUESTION 4 Many types of fruits and vegetables can be fermented into alcoholic beverages. Such was the case recently when prisoners in Utah attempted to make an illegal beverage called “pruno”; however, someone added a weeks-old baked potato to the mix, letting a microbe into the party who was clearly uninvited. Consumers of the pruno began to develop difficulty swallowing, vomiting, double vision, and muscle weakness; three required ventilation therapy. No deaths were attributed to the contaminated beverage. A) What nervous system disease were the prisoners suffering from, and what was the specific organism involved? B) Based on your knowledge of this disease, what form of treatment was used to successfully avoid the worst outcomes of the disease in these patients?

Paper For Above Instructions

Staphylococcus aureus is a critical bacterium noted for its clinical significance, particularly with strains resistant to methicillin (MRSA). To undertake research studying the prevalence of MRSA in the general population, it is essential to begin with robust isolation procedures. This entails utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and culturing techniques to ensure both safety and accurate results.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The first line of defense while handling potentially pathogenic organisms like Staphylococcus aureus involves the appropriate use of PPE. The critical elements of PPE include:

  • Gloves: Disposable nitrile or latex gloves are vital to prevent direct contact with bacterial cultures and to adhere to biosafety protocols.
  • Lab Coat: A long-sleeved lab coat minimizes exposure to contaminants and protects personal clothing.
  • Face Shield or Goggles: Eye protection is essential during procedures that may generate aerosol, such as culturing from plates.
  • Mask: A surgical mask or N95 respirator helps to protect against inhalation of pathogens and cross-contamination of samples.

Culturing Techniques

Three effective culturing techniques to isolate Staphylococcus aureus are:

  1. Streak Plate Method: This technique involves inoculating a solid agar plate (e.g., nutrient agar) by streaking the sample across the surface to achieve isolated colonies.
  2. Enrichment Culture: Utilizing selective media such as Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA), which inhibits non-staphylococcal species, allows for the efficient growth of Staphylococcus. This medium also helps differentiate mannitol fermenters.
  3. Pour Plate Method: This involves mixing a diluted sample with melted agar and pouring it into a plate. It allows for the quantification of viable microorganisms and isolation of colonies.

Using these methods, one can choose either general media like nutrient agar for broader isolation or selective media like Mannitol Salt Agar for more focused tasks. MSA not only supports growth but also acts as a differential medium by determining mannitol fermentation, indicating potential pathogenicity.

Contamination Detection and Response

To determine if a culture has been contaminated, one should observe for unexpected colony morphologies, changes in growth patterns, or unusual colors that differ from expected results. Additionally, if there are signs of growth in control plates meant to remain sterile, this suggests contamination.

Upon detecting contamination, the immediate response would be to safely contain the sample, preferably by sealing it in a sterile container to avoid further spread. Then, it is essential to decontaminate the workspace and dispose of any contaminated materials according to biosafety protocols.

Syphilis Stages

Turning to the second question about syphilis, this disease manifests in several distinct stages, each with varying symptoms and consequences:

  1. Primary Syphilis: Characterized by the appearance of a chancre, a painless sore at the infection site. The causative organism is Treponema pallidum, a gram-negative spirochete, transmitted through sexual contact.
  2. Secondary Syphilis: This stage occurs weeks to months after the initial infection, showing systemic symptoms like rashes and flu-like symptoms. It indicates widespread dissemination of the bacterium.
  3. Tertiary Syphilis: Occurring years later if untreated, this stage can lead to severe damage to various organs and systems, including the cardiovascular and nervous systems, presenting as gummas and other debilitating manifestations.

Treatment varies throughout the stages, with penicillin being the primary treatment option. Prevention methods include safe sex practices, screening, and early treatment of infected individuals.

Protozoan Infections of the Circulatory System

Next, regarding protozoan infections transmitted by arthropods, three significant infections are:

  • Malaria: Caused by Plasmodium falciparum, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease progresses through cycles of fever and chills, leading to severe anemia if untreated.
  • Dengue Fever: Caused by the dengue virus from the genus Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Symptoms can range from mild fever to severe bleeding and can evolve to dengue hemorrhagic fever.
  • Chagas Disease: Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted through triatomine bugs. The infection can remain asymptomatic for years before leading to severe cardiac and digestive issues.

Pruno Incident and Nervous System Disease

Regarding the pruno incident, the prisoners likely suffered from botulism, which stems from Clostridium botulinum. This organism can produce potent neurotoxins, leading to severe symptoms. Treatment involved administering antitoxins, which can neutralize the toxins to prevent further neurological damage and complications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the methods for isolating Staphylococcus aureus, recognizing the stages of syphilis, identifying protozoan infections, and recognizing the implications of the pruno incident illustrates the complex interplay between pathogens and human health.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Staphylococcus aureus. Retrieved from cdc.gov
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2019). Syphilis. Retrieved from niaid.nih.gov
  • World Health Organization. (2020). Malaria. Retrieved from who.int
  • Hrdy, I. (2018). Chagas Disease: A Review of the Disease and Recent Advances in Treatment. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2018.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Botulism. Retrieved from cdc.gov
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Dengue and severe dengue. Retrieved from who.int
  • Storrie, B. (2019). Comparative Morphology of Treponema Pallidum. Journal of Bacteriology, 2019.
  • Brown, E. J., et al. (2020). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: One of the Important Bacterial Opportunists. Medical Microbiology, 48(7), 1172-1181.
  • McGowan, J. E. (2019). The Challenge of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America, 33(4), 921-930.
  • Engels, D., et al. (2021). Global epidemiology of human trypanosomiasis: A review. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(8), e0009191.

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