bacteria

Bacteria /Bac·te·ria/ (bak-tēr´e-ah) in former systems of classification, a division of the kingdom Procaryotae, including all prokaryotic organisms except the blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria).

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bacteria /bac·te·ria/ (bak-tēr´e-ah) plural of bacterium.

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bac·te·ri·a (bk-tîr-)

n.

Plural of bacterium.

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Bacteria

Tiny, one-celled forms of life that cause many diseases and infections.

Mentioned in: Antiacne Drugs, Antibiotics, Antibiotics, Ophthalmic, Antibiotics, Topical, Antiseptics, Antituberculosis Drugs, Fluoroquinolones, Urinary Anti-Infectives, Vaginal Pain

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bacteria

[baktir′ē·ə] sing. bacterium

Etymology: Gk, bakterion, small staff

a domain of life existing as small unicellular microorganisms. The genera vary morphologically, being spheric (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), spiral (spirochetes), or comma-shaped (vibrios). The nature, severity, and outcome of any infection caused by a bacterium are characteristic of that species.

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bacteria,

n.pl 1. small, unicellular microorganisms of the kingdom Monera. The genera vary morphologically, being spheric (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), spiral (spirochetes), or comma-shaped (vibrios).
n 2. the phylum in which these microorganisms are classified.

bacteria, aerobic,

n.pl bacteria that require the presence of oxygen to live and grow.

bacteria, anaerobic,

n.pl bacteria that can survive and grow without the presence of free oxygen in their immediate environment. See anaerobe, facultative.

n a microorganism that reacts with the iron in saliva to create a stain on the surface of the teeth. The color of the stain is indicative of the color, or chroma, of the bacteria. E.g., a green stain is caused by bacteria such as
Penicillium and
Aspergillus.

bacteria, resident (oral),

n.pl the microorganisms that are normally in the oral flora of an individual.

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bacteria

plural of bacterium.

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anaerobic bacteria

derive energy from fermentative processes in the absence of oxygen. Are found in necrotic or abscessed tissues.

cell-wall deficient bacteria

see L-form bacteria (below).

facultatively anaerobic bacteria

are able to derive energy from aerobic or anaerobic metabolism. Includes most intestinal pathogens.

glucose-non-fermenting, gram-negative bacteria

includes Bordetella, Moraxella and Pseudomonas species.

L-form bacteria

abnormal growth forms that can replicate in the form of small filterable elements with defective or absent cell walls. Spontaneously formed by some bacteria, e.g. Streptococcus spp., Bacterioides spp., and by others when synthesis is impaired. L-forms have been associated with infections in dogs and cats.

marker bacteria

those added to provide a means of identifying the bacteria being studied. See serratiarubidaea.

obligate aerobic bacteria

require oxygen as a source of energy and therefore for growth.

putrefactive bacteria

see decomposition.

resistant bacteria

see antimicrobial resistance.

ruminal bacteria

the ruminal fluid of the normal cow contains 10 to 50 million million organisms per gram. Bacteria outnumber the protozoan population many times over. The genera and species of bacteria present vary between times in the same cow. The function of the ruminal bacteria is to digest the food taken in and thus allow its absorption. This includes the lysis of cellulose, xylanol, starch, dextrin, pectin, protein, lipids, the utilization of glycerol and lactate, and the fermentation of soluble sugars. The end products of the digestive process include methane, formate, acetate, ethanol, propionate, lactate, butyrate, succinate, valerate, caproate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

spoilage bacteria

see decomposition.

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bacteria 

Microscopic unicellular organisms that commonly reproduce by cell division (fission) and contained within a cell wall. They are a natural component of the human body, particularly on the skin, mouth and intestinal tract. Many are beneficial to the environment and living organisms, but some are the cause of many infectious diseases. Infectious bacteria enter the body through torn tissues or by its orifices (e.g. nose, mouth, lungs) and can provoke inflammation. Many bacterial infections may spread from host to host (e.g. contagious conjunctivitis). Infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Singular: bacterium. See antibiotics; Gram stain.

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Patient discussion about bacteria.

Q. My left foot is swollen and painful. Can it be flesh eating bacteria? I am a 24 years old lady and my left foot is swollen and painful. To be more specific it is not just swollen it's red, painful and hot. I just saw a TV show few days ago about "flesh eating bacteria". I know it sounds like I have hypochondria but I am very afraid.

A. Don't feel bad for caring for yourself. Yes, the risk that this situation is flesh eating bacteria (FEB) is small (maybe we saw the same show :)) but it's important to find out. I had cellulites (the thing that mimic FEB)once, and you sound to me like you have it too.
FEB is a more systemic illness with fever and with rapid enlargement of the swelling. Mark the red area on your foot. If it grows go to the ER for antibiotic therapy.

Q. Can Cholera outbreak here in the U.S? I looked for information about Cholera and couldn’t find much…

A. You can find any information in wikipedia. here is a link about Cholera :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholera
and here is all the info about Cholera outbreaks in the world:
http://www.who.int/cholera/en/

Q. Are superbugs contagious through the air? Last week we visited my dad in the hospital, and we noticed that on the next room’s door there was a warning sign. After asking, we were told it was a denoting that the patient inside had a superbug (called klebsiella). On our way out we passed against this patient in the hallway – is it possible that I also carry this superbag? Is it dangerous?

A. Usually these bacteria are transmitted from person to person through direct contact, and less through the air. Moreover, these germs are dangerous in ill and debilitated patients, and not in normal healthy individuals.