bacterium (redirected from coryneform bacteria)

bacterium /bac·te·ri·um/ (bak-tēr´e-um) pl. bacte´ria   [L.] in general, any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms that commonly multiply by cell division, lack a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, and possess a cell wall; they may be aerobic or anaerobic, motile or nonmotile, free-living, saprophytic, parasitic, or pathogenic.bacter´ial

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acid-fast bacterium  one not readily decolorized by acids after staining.

coliform bacterium  one of the facultative, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract; see Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Serratia.

coryneform bacteria  a group of bacteria that are morphologically similiar to organisms of the genus Corynebacterium.

gram-negative bacterium  see gram-negative, under G.

gram-positive bacterium  see gram-positive, under G.

hemophilic bacterium  one that has a nutritional affinity for constituents of fresh blood or whose growth is stimulated by blood-enriched media.

lysogenic bacterium  a bacterial cell that harbors in its genome the genetic material (prophage) of a temperate bacteriophage and thus reproduces the bacteriophage in cell division; occasionally the prophage develops into the mature form, replicates, lyses the bacterial cell, and is free to infect other cells.

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bac·te·ri·um (bk-tîr-m)

n. pl. bac·te·ri·a (-tîr-)

Any of the unicellular, prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic, the latter causing disease in plants or animals.

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Bacterium

A microscopic one-celled organism. Haemophilus influenzae is a specific bacterium.

Mentioned in: Cat-Scratch Disease, Hemophilus Infections

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bacterium.

See bacteria.

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bacterium

pl. bacteria [L.] any prokaryotic microorganism. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that differ from all other organisms (the eukaryotes) in lacking a true nucleus and organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts and lysosomes. Their genetic material consists of a single double-stranded DNA molecule, whereas the genetic material of eukaryotes consists of multiple chromosomes, which are complex structures of DNA and protein.

Bacteria reproduce by binary fission and generally have a very high rate of population growth and mutation. Genetic material can be transferred between bacteria by three processes: transformation (absorption of naked DNA), transduction (transfer by a temperate bacteriophage), and conjugation (transfer by independently replicating DNA molecules, called plasmids). Some bacteria can also form spores, dehydrated forms that are relatively resistant to heat, cold, lack of water, toxic chemicals and radiation.

Most bacteria have a rigid cell wall outside of the cell membrane primarily composed of a dense layer of peptidoglycan, a network of polysaccharide chains with polypeptide cross-links. Some antimicrobial agents, the penicillins and cephalosporins, act by interfering with peptidoglycan synthesis.

Bacteria can have any of three types of external structures: flagella, which are rotating locomotor organelles; pili or fimbriae, which are minute filamentous appendages; and a capsule, which is a layer of gelatinous material around the cell. Large pili called sex pili are involved in conjugation while other pili are involved in adherence of bacteria to mucosal surfaces. The capsule is associated with virulent strains of bacteria and protects the bacterium from phagocytosis. See also bacteria.

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acid-fast bacterium

one that, because of wax-like composition of the cell wall, is not readily decolorized by acids after staining, especially Mycobacterium spp.

coliform bacterium

particularly found in the gut (colon) of animals. See aerobacter aerogenes, escherichia and paracolobactrum.

hemophilic bacterium

microorganisms of the genera Haemophilus and Bordetella, which have a nutritional requirement for fresh blood or whose growth is significantly stimulated on blood-containing media.

lactic acid bacterium

bacteria that, in suitable media, ferment carbohydrates to form lactic acid.

lysogenic bacterium

any bacterial cell harboring in its genome the genetic material (prophage) of a temperate bacteriophage and thus reproducing the bacteriophage DNA in each cell division; occasionally the prophage becomes nonintegrated (induced), replicates, lyses the bacterial cell, and is free to infect other cells.

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Patient discussion about coryneform 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.