Bacterial Infections and Genera Overview

Toxemic infections are caused by bacteria that produce toxins that circulate in the bloodstream. These toxins can damage various organs and tissues, leading to severe symptoms.

Relapsing fever is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and chills caused by spirochetes, not by toxin production.

Tetanus, gas gangrene, and botulism are all caused by bacteria that release toxins into the bloodstream, leading to severe symptoms.

Psittacosis is a respiratory infection caused by a bacteria (Chlamydophila psittaci) that lives inside cells, not by a toxin.

Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a toxin that affects the throat and other tissues, making it a toxemic infection.

Botulism is a serious illness caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, making it a toxemic infection.

Coiled bacteria are bacteria that have a spiral shape. This shape helps them move effectively through fluids.

Treponema, Borrelia, Campylobacter, and Leptospira are all bacterial genera that contain coiled bacteria.

Francisella is a genus of rod-shaped bacteria. They lack the characteristic spiral shape of coiled bacteria.

Streptococcus is a genus of round bacteria that typically form chains.

Neisseria is a genus of bean-shaped bacteria that typically exist in pairs.

Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test, typically due to a thicker layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall.

Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, and Bacillus are all genera of bacteria that have gram-positive rods, meaning they are rod-shaped and retain the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test.

Gram-negative bacteria lose the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test, often because they have a thinner peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall.

Esherichia, Salmonella, Bordetella, and Francisella are all genera of bacteria that have gram-negative rods, meaning they are rod-shaped and lose the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test.

Vaccination introduces a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen or its components into the body to stimulate the immune system and provide protection against future infections.

Anthrax, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and cholera are all bacterial infections for which vaccines are available to prevent disease.

Bacterial infections like gonorrhea, syphilis, relapsing fever, Lyme disease, Legionnaires’ disease, and psittacosis are typically treated with antibiotics, not prevented by vaccination.

Gram-negative cocci are bacteria that are round-shaped and lose the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test.

Veilonella and Neisseria are two genera of bacteria that have gram-negative cocci, meaning they are round-shaped and lose the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test.

Gram-positive cocci are bacteria that are round-shaped and retain the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test.

Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are two genera of bacteria that have gram-positive cocci, meaning they are round-shaped and retain the crystal violet stain during a Gram stain test.

H-antigen is a flagellar antigen, a protein found on the flagella (tails) of some bacteria. Different bacteria have different H-antigens, and this difference can be used to identify specific strains.

Salmonella, Esherichia, and Vibrio are all genera of bacteria that have H-antigens, meaning they have flagella and the proteins on these flagella can help identify specific strains.

Shigella, Streptococcus, and Mycobacterium are all genera of bacteria that lack H-antigens. They either don't have flagella or the proteins on their flagella are different.

K-antigen is a capsular antigen, a carbohydrate molecule that forms a protective layer around some bacteria. Different bacteria have different K-antigens, which can help identify specific strains.

Esherichia and Salmonella are both genera of bacteria that have K-antigens, meaning they have a protective layer around them.