Mar 28, 2024  
Fall 2018 Catalog 
    
Fall 2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ML 228 - Clinical Microbiology II Lecture


Credit Hours: 2

Continuation of ML 218 with the discussion of the pathogenesis and identification of specific microorganisms isolated from clinical specimens according to the ASCP Board of Registry Guidelines for CLT curriculum. A taxonomic approach will be used in presenting the groups of microorganisms.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Collection and Handling of Specimens for Microbiological Examination:
    • describe procedures for appropriate body site sampling and proper time for collection of microbiological specimens;
    • state the appropriate collection/transport device for various patient specimens; e.g. throat culture; and
    • outline the proper procedures for handling microbiological specimens which may be a possible cause of laboratory acquired infections such as respiratory tract specimens or suspected systemic fungal infections.
  • Cultivation and Isolation of Microbes from Patient Specimens:
    • state the necessary growth conditions for cultivation of pathogenic microbes;
    • list the components of primary plating media and the appropriate use of each type of media;
    • state the necessary growth conditions for cultivation of pathogenic microbes from patient specimens;
    • identify the possible bacteria which may be isolated from various types of body specimens; and
    • outline the approach to the identification of pathogens including the Gram Stain reaction, biochemical, enzyme, and agglutination tests.
  • Bacterial Pathogens:

    The following groups of microorganisms will be examined and described according to the characteristics listed below in items a-c: Gram positive cocci, Gram negative aerobic cocci, Gram positive bacilli, Gram positive spore forming bacilli, enteric Gram negative bacilli, Gram negative coccobacilli, spirochetes and other spiral-shaped organisms and non-fermenting Gram negative bacilli.
    • compare and contrast the characteristics of the group of pathogenic microbes listed above in relation to cell and colony morphology, staining, and biochemical reactions;
    • describe symptoms, mode of transmission and virulence characteristics of each organism; and
    • outline methods of identification of member genera utilizing specific media, biochemical tests, and culture techniques, including both presumptive and confirmatory tests.

The preceding is applied to the following topics - Groups 1 to 9:

  • Gram Negative Enteric Bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae):
    • differentiate between normal intestinal flora, a primary pathogen, and an opportunistic pathogen;
    • define the family Enterobacteriaceae on a morphological and biochemical basis and list the pathogenic members of the family using genus and species designation;
    • identify the reactive component for the individual biochemical media;
    • for each genus discussed, the student will complete the following:
      • state the organism’s microscopic morphology;
      • describe the colony morphology on selective and differential media;
      • identify the key biochemical reactions of the specific genera belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family;
      • state the key biochemical reactions to differentiate the species within a genus; and
      • review the pathogenesis of significant enteric microorganisms.
    • describe the antigenic structure of: E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella; and
    • define the concept of serologic identification of the enteric bacilli, include antigen and location on the bacterial cell.
  • Non-Fermentative Gram Negative Bacilli:
    • state the principle of the oxidative-fermentative test;
    • describe the procedures for the identification of a member of this group such as the oxidase reaction, motility, growth on MacConkey agar and flagella stain;
    • explain how OF Medium may be used to differentiate fermentative, oxidative, and non-saccharolytic organisms; and
    • identify significant species of Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Chryseobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, and Moraxella.
  • Vibrionaceae, Curved Gram Negative Bacilli, and Oxidase Positive Fermenters: Vibrio, Campylobacter, Helicobacter pylori, Aeromonas, and Plesiomonas:
    • state the significant characteristics of Vibrio cholerae including selective media (TCBS) for isolation, cell morphology, flagellar arrangement, and RBC agglutination;
    • describe the pathogenesis of cholera and how it is effectively treated;
    • list the important features of Vibrio parahaemolyticus including disease production and differentiation from V. cholerae;
    • state the isolation procedures and identifying traits of Campylobacter jejuni including complex atmospheric conditions, selective media, biochemical tests, and appearance on a direct smear;
    • describe the disease produced by C. jejuni pylori;
    • review the significant features of Helicobacter pylori including laboratory identification, pathogenesis, and treatment of peptic ulcer disease;
    • be able to differentiate Aeromonas hydrophilia and Plesiomonas shigelloides according to growth on selective media, DNase, V-P test, flagellar arrangement, and hemolysis on blood agar; and
    • state how A. hydrophilia and P. shigelloides infections are acquired.
  • Gram Negative Coccobacillary Facultative Bacteria:
    Pasteurella, Francisella, Bordetella, Haemophilus, and Legionella
    • describe the major diseases produced by the genera in this group;
    • list the identifying features of the major pathogens including P. multocida, F. tularensis, Bordetella pertussis, and Legionella pneumophila;
    • characterize the significant Haemophilus species according to biochemical testing and “X” and “V” factor requirements; and
    • state the diseases produced by pathogenic Haemophilus species.
  • Aerobic Gram Negative Cocci:
    • define the Neisseria on a morphological and biochemical basis;
    • list the pathogenic members of the family Neisseriaceae;
    • differentiate Neisseria gonorrhoeae from Neisseria meningitidis and Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis;
    • for each member genus and species, the student will complete the following:
      • Characterize specimen collection techniques.
      • Describe culture media procedures for isolation.
      • Outline preliminary identification features (screening).
      • Describe colony morphology variation.
      • List steps for serologic classification
      • Identify key biochemical reactions of the specific species.
    • list nonbiochemical identification tests.
  • Staphylococci and Micrococci:
    • differentiate the Staphylococcus aureus from other staphylococci and micrococci;
    • describe morphology and general characteristics of staphylococci and micrococci;
    • differentiate coagulase negative staphylococci;
    • discuss Staphylococcus aureus regarding its structure and extracellular products;
    • list and outline: identification techniques for Staph aureus, Staph epidermidis, and Staph saprophyticus;
    • discuss antibiotic susceptibility of Staph aureus;
    • compare hemolytic differences among these organisms;
    • describe the coagulase test reactions of species listed;
    • list the significant ingredients and the results obtainable from the blood agar plate, coagulase test, Mannitol salt agar and DNase test;
    • list pathological conditions caused by Staphylococcus aureus;
    • state the primary pathological condition caused by: (1) Staphylococcus epidermidis and (2) Staph saprophyticus; and
    • list the areas of the human body to which staphylococcus is indigenous.
  • Streptococci, Including Enterococci and Pneumococci:
    • describe the procedure for distinguishing between the genus Staphylococcus and the genus Streptococcus;
    • list several species of the genus Streptococcus;
    • classify Streptococci according to their hemolytic reactions on blood agar;
    • outline presumptive identification procedures used for streptococci. e. Discuss epidemiology and pathogenic mechanisms of the genus Streptococcus;
    • describe beta-hemolytic streptococci susceptibility differences to the antibiotic bacitracin or “A” disk test;
    • list diseases caused by beta hemolytic Group A Streptococcus;
    • outline and describe the tests or procedures for the identification of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus viridans;
    • characterize Lancefield’s serological identification using specific organisms as examples;
    • list specific culture media and reagents for the identification of Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes).  Indicate why identification of a specific streptococcus group necessary for proper antimicrobial therapy and control of some infections;
    • discuss the pathological significance of the capsule;
    • describe differences in optochin susceptibility or “P” disk test in alpha-hemolytic streptococci; and
    • differentiate pneumococci from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci.
  • Gram Positive Bacilli: aerobic spore forming Bacillus, aerobic non- spore forming Corynebacterium, Listeria, and others:
    • characterize the genus Bacillus;
    • list the forms of anthrax which can occur in humans;
    • outline identification methods for B. anthracis B.cereus;
    • list common genera of the aerobic, non-spore forming group of Gram positive bacilli;
    • discuss epidemiology and pathogenesis of Listerosis;
    • outline laboratory identification of Listeria monocytogenes;
    • characterize the genus Corynebacterium;
    • discuss the term diphtheroid and how it relates to the Corynebacteria;
    • outline isolation procedures of C. diphtheriae from suspected clinical material;
    • list type of infections caused by C. diphtheriae and control measures;
    • outline the pathogenesis of Nocardia infection; and
    • list laboratory identification procedures of Nocardia including microscopic and cultural features.
  • Spirochetes (Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira):
    • state the main features of the Spirochaetaceae family;
    • be able to describe Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira based upon cell morphology;
    • state the difficulties associated with Gram staining spirochetes and cultivating in the lab;
    • describe the pathogenesis of infection caused by the various Treponema species;
    • list the tests both treponemal and non-treponemal used to identify Treponema pallidum;
    • state the main features of Borrelia recurrentis and pathogenesis of relapsing fever;
    • discuss Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi including diagnostic procedures;
    • briefly describe the disease and identifying characteristics the disease and identifying characteristics of Leptospira interrogans;
    • list the animal reservoirs of Leptosporosis; and
    • state the important features of Weil’s Syndrome.
  • Bioterrorism:
    • define the term bioweapon;
    • list the significant agents (microorganisms or toxins) which may be potential biological weapons;
    • define the terms that are primary factors of bioweapons including infectivity, pathogenicity, virulence, toxicity, transmissibility, and incubation period;
    • describe the role of the smallpox virus as a potential biological weapon;
    • state the mechanisms of disease production by Bacillus anthracic and how it has been used as a bioweapon in the past and present;
    • discuss the role of vaccination in the prevention of smallpox and anthrax outbreaks; and
    • give the rationale behind the use of Clostridium botulinum toxin as an effective bioweapon.

 

Prerequisites: ML 218, ML 219, BI 147, BI 148
Corequisites: ML 229
S (N)