Microbial Identification Techniques
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following methods is used to obtain pure cultures for accurate identification of microbes?

  • High-temperature incubation
  • Isolation media cultivation (correct)
  • Molecular sequencing
  • Antibiotic treatment

Biochemical tests utilize physical reactions to determine the presence of enzyme systems in bacteria.

False (B)

Name one predominant biochemical test used in identifying bacteria.

Carbohydrate fermentation

What is the advantage of using genotype over phenotype in microbial identification?

<p>It allows for identification without culturing microorganisms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Differential media is used to cultivate microorganisms without identifying specific characteristics.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Knowing an enzyme present in a specimen can often identify the ______ species.

<p>bacterial</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each biochemical test with its function:

<p>Carbohydrate fermentation = Production of acid and/or gas Gelatin hydrolysis = Breakdown of gelatin Catalase test = Detects enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide Coagulase test = Identifies ability to form clot with plasma</p> Signup and view all the answers

List one method used for the direct identification of diseases.

<p>Direct tests, symptoms, or cultivation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient's blood is cultured in a special bottle of broth to identify pathogens, commonly referred to as _____.

<p>blood cultures</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following conditions or methods with their identification approach:

<p>AIDS = Serological tests and symptoms Athlete's foot = Symptoms only Differential media = Identifying characteristics Cultivation = Growing and isolating organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Western blot test?

<p>To confirm an HIV infection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Western blot test can be used as a standalone test for HIV diagnosis.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of lines that can form in a double diffusion test?

<p>line of identity, line of non-identity, line of partial identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

In an agglutination reaction, antigens are __________ such as RBCs or bacteria.

<p>whole cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Western Blot = Test to confirm HIV infection Agglutination = Involves whole cells as antigens Precipitation = Involves soluble molecules as antigens Double Diffusion = Technique using agar gel to evaluate antibody-antigen interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of phage typing?

<p>To identify Salmonella (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Carbohydrate fermentation tests are conducted to identify bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the cleared areas on a Petri dish during phage typing indicative of?

<p>Sensitivity to that phage</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ________ involves mapping off a Petri dish into blocks for testing bacterial susceptibility to viruses.

<p>phage typing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a component of the carbohydrate fermentation test?

<p>Bacterial toxicity testing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

<p>To amplify minute quantities of nucleic acids (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) uses specific sequences of primers to identify known microbial populations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of probes in hybridization techniques?

<p>To bind to specific nucleic acid sequences from a microbe for identification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH), probes are used to locate ______ cells in patient specimens.

<p>glowing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following genotypic techniques with their main applications:

<p>PCR = Amplifying DNA or RNA RAPD = Identifying unknown microbial populations Hybridization = Identifying microbes through genetic material FISH = Locating specific microbes in samples</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which genotypic technique is specifically used to confirm diagnoses or identify biofilm components?

<p>Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis is a method used to amplify DNA in diagnostic tests.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hybridization involves the use of ______ that are complementary to specific nucleic acid sequences from a microbe.

<p>probes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the sensitivity of an immune test reflect?

<p>The degree to which a test detects every positive person (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Agglutination reactions involve soluble antigens.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the visual indicators used to observe antigen-antibody interactions?

<p>Dyes or fluorescent reagents</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the RPR test, antibodies cause the ________ particles to agglutinate.

<p>lipid</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms with their definitions:

<p>Agglutination = Involves whole cells or organisms Precipitation = Involves soluble antigens Sensitivity = Ability to detect minute quantities of antibodies RPR Test = Uses lipid particles for agglutination</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic distinguishes precipitation from agglutination?

<p>Location of the antigen (A), Size of the antigen (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of the 30s subunit of bacterial and archaeal ribosomes?

<p>16s ribosomal RNA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Smaller antigen-antibody complexes can typically be observed with the naked eye.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when RPR antigen is mixed with plasma and antibodies are present?

<p>Agglutination occurs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ribotyping is primarily used for identifying viruses.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Whole human or microbial cells form clumps with antibodies of the correct ________.

<p>specificity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of serological testing?

<p>To detect, identify, and quantify antibodies or antigens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In ribotyping, rRNA is ____ and analyzed from cultured cells.

<p>isolated</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of antigen is involved in precipitation reactions?

<p>Soluble molecules (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following substances with the types of materials that can be tested using modern serological methods:

<p>Urine = Body fluid Cerebrospinal fluid = Body fluid Whole tissues = Tissue sample Saliva = Body fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about antibodies is true?

<p>Antibodies have extreme specificity for antigens. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Immunologic methods can only detect unknown antigens using known antibodies.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of a test ensures it only reacts with a specific antibody or antigen?

<p>Specificity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ribotyping is suited for bacterial identification and diagnosis of ____.

<p>infection</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be tested using modern serological methods?

<p>Urine (A), Blood (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Genus and species identification

The process of determining the specific type of microorganism or organism, using physical characteristics, biochemical reactions, immunological tests, and genetics.

Phenotypic identification

Identifying organisms by their observable physical characteristics and functions, including their shape, behavior, and biochemical activities (enzymes).

Specimen collection

Gathering a sample from a patient to find the microorganism causing an illness.

Microbial Identification Steps

Identifying a microbe by examining patient symptoms, collecting specimens, and then either directly testing them or cultivating them to isolate and identify the pathogen.

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Differential media

Media used for identifying microbes based on their metabolic activities and fermentation patterns.

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Salmonella/Shigella (SS) agar use

A selective media for identifying Salmonella and Shigella species in clinical samples and food.

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Specimen cultivation for microbe identification

Pure cultures are needed for accurate identification of bacteria using morphology, growth, motility, oxygen needs, and biochemical/antibiotic tests.

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Biochemical tests purpose

Biochemical tests reveal bacterial enzyme systems by observing their reactions to various nutrients and substances, often shown by color changes.

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Carbohydrate fermentation test

A biochemical test used to observe bacterial acid and/or gas production from carbohydrate breakdown.

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Biochemical test example

Examples include testing for catalase, oxidase, coagulase enzyme presence and carbohydrate fermentation to pinpoint the species.

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PCR

A technique that amplifies small amounts of DNA or RNA, producing numerous copies within a short time.

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RAPD

Used to identify microbes when little is known about them, employing primers of random sequences.

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Hybridization

Identifying a microbe by analyzing segments of its genetic material using probes that bind to specific DNA or RNA sequences.

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FISH

A technique that labels probes with fluorescent dyes to locate 'glowing cells' in a sample and identify specific microbes.

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What does PCR stand for?

Polymerase Chain Reaction

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What's a probe in hybridization?

A small fragment of DNA or RNA used to locate specific sequences in a microbial sample.

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What does RAPD stand for?

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA

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What is FISH used for?

To locate and identify specific microbes in a sample by highlighting them with fluorescent probes.

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Phage typing

A method used to identify bacteria by their susceptibility to specific viruses (phages).

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How phage typing works

A lawn of bacteria is grown on a Petri dish and divided into sections. Different phages are added to each section. Areas where bacteria are lysed (killed) indicate sensitivity to that phage.

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What does phage typing help identify?

Phage typing is especially useful for identifying different strains of Salmonella bacteria.

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How are carbohydrates used in the test?

Specific sugars are added to a culture medium. The production of acid or gas (bubbles) indicates fermentation of that carbohydrate.

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What information does the carbohydrate fermentation test provide?

The test helps distinguish between different bacterial species based on their metabolic activities and fermentation patterns.

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Sensitivity (immune testing)

The ability of a test to detect even very small amounts of antibodies or antigens in a sample, meaning it can identify a positive person.

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Visualizing antigen-antibody interactions

Making the interaction between antigens and antibodies visible, either with the naked eye or a microscope, using techniques like clumping, dyes, or fluorescence.

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Agglutination

Antigen-antibody interaction where whole cells (bacteria, viruses) clump together.

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Precipitation

Antigen-antibody reaction where a soluble molecule forms a solid precipitate.

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What's the key difference between Agglutination and Precipitation?

The size and solubility of the antigen involved. Agglutination uses whole cells, while precipitation uses soluble molecules.

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RAPID PLASMA REAGIN (RPR)

A rapid test for syphilis that detects antibodies to syphilis by agglutination of lipid particles with charcoal particles.

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How does RPR work?

RPR antigen is mixed with plasma. If antibodies are present, they bind to the lipid particles, causing them to clump together. Charcoal particles enhance the visibility of the agglutination.

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What happens in a positive RPR test?

Black clumps appear on the card, indicating the presence of syphilis antibodies.

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What happens in a negative RPR test?

No clumps appear, indicating the absence of syphilis antibodies.

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Importance of visualization in immune testing

Immune reactions are often invisible to the naked eye. Visualization techniques make it possible to observe and interpret the results of tests, allowing for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.

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Ribotyping

A method for identifying bacteria and diagnosing infections by analyzing the 16s ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence. rRNA is a highly conserved molecule found in the ribosomes of bacteria and archaea, making it a reliable indicator of evolutionary relatedness.

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Serology

A diagnostic technique that involves analyzing serum (blood without cells) to detect the presence of specific antibodies or antigens.

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Antigen-Antibody Interaction

The foundation of serological testing. Antibodies have a specific lock-and-key fit for their corresponding antigens, allowing detection and measurement.

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Specificity in Immune Testing

The ability of a test to target only a specific antibody or antigen, avoiding reactions with unrelated or similar molecules.

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Unknown Antibody Detection

Using a known antigen to identify an unknown antibody in a sample.

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Unknown Antigen Detection

Using a known antibody to identify an unknown antigen in a sample.

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Urine, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Tissues & Saliva

Modern serological methods are versatile and can analyze various body fluids to detect antibodies or antigens.

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16s rRNA

A component of the 30s subunit of bacterial and archaeal ribosomes, highly conserved across species, making it a valuable tool for understanding evolutionary relationships.

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Ribosome

A cellular organelle responsible for protein synthesis, composed of rRNA and proteins.

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Conserved Sequence

A DNA or RNA sequence that has remained largely unchanged over evolutionary time, indicating its importance for a function.

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Western Blot for HIV

A blood test that separates proteins and detects specific antibodies (HIV antibodies) that indicate an HIV infection. It confirms a positive ELISA test, and the combined tests are highly accurate.

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Double Diffusion (Ouchterlony)

A method for identifying antigens and antibodies in agar gel. Wells are punched, antigen and antibody diffuse towards each other, and precipitate lines (PPT bands) form where they meet at optimal proportions.

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Line of Identity

In double diffusion, a single precipitate line forms when two wells contain the same antigen or antibody, indicating they are identical.

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