Bio-205L Microbiology Lab- Full Course Discussions (Topic 1- Topic 7)

 

Topic 1

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 1: The Microbial World: Laboratory Safety, the Ubiquity and Dissemination of Microbes, and Microscopy

After participating in this topic, students will be able to work safely in a microbiology laboratory, demonstrate the ubiquity of microorganisms, track the dissemination of a bacterial disease, and view bacteria using a microscope.

Objectives:

1. Identify the guidelines for safety in the laboratory.
2. Examine the ubiquity of microorganisms in the environment.
3. Evaluate the transmission of diseases from one person to another.
4. Identify the different parts of the microscope and describe their functions.
5. Describe the morphology and arrangement of bacteria with low, high-dry, and oil immersion objectives using the bright field microscope.
6. Identify blood cells using a bright-field microscope.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Summary of Current Course Content Knowledge

Assessment Description:

Academic engagement through active participation in instructional activities related to the course objectives is paramount to your success in this course and future courses.  Through interaction with your instructor and classmates, you will explore the course material and be provided with the best opportunity for objective and competency mastery.  To begin this class, review the course objectives for each Topic, and then answer the following questions as this will help guide your instructor for course instruction. 

1. Which weekly objectives do you have prior knowledge of and to what extent?
2. Which weekly objectives do you have no prior knowledge of?
3. What course-related topics would you like to discuss with your instructor and classmates?  What questions or concerns do you have about this course? 

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Summary of Current Course Content Knowledge.

Hello class,

            In the course of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program, I have to admit that this is one of the classes I have been looking forward to the most. This is because I believe some of the concepts will be crucial in my profession as an Emergency Room (ER) nurse. After carefully reviewing the course objectives, I can justify my anticipation as I clearly see the immense value and knowledge it will bring to my current role and future nursing career. One of the advantages I have is that my work in the emergency room has provided me with some foundational knowledge relevant to this course. First, I am familiar with laboratory safety guidelines and have a basic understanding of microscope use. I have also observed various bacterial morphologies, albeit not in great detail. Furthermore, my hands-on work has also given me practical exposure to disease transmission and antimicrobial testing, however, I look forward to a deeper comprehension of these concepts.

             Nonetheless, there are several areas where my knowledge is limited or non-existent. I have little experience with specific staining techniques such as Gram stain, acid-fact stain, and endospore stain. Additionally, the concepts of bacterial transformation and plasmid DNA are also new to me as well as the complexity of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. Also, while I have worked in the lab, the intricate biochemical tests that are performed to identify germs are not something I am very familiar with.

            As we progress through the course, I am particularly interested in understanding how bacterial staining techniques can improve my interpretation of lab results in the ER setting. Moreover, I am also aware of the growing concern of antibiotic resistance, thus I am keen to discuss the implications of bacterial transformation for patient care. I look forward to connecting with my classmates and our instructor to explore these fascinating topics.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Class Introductions

Assessment Description:

Take a moment to explore your new classroom and introduce yourself to your fellow classmates. What are you excited about learning? What do you think will be most challenging?

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Class Introductions.

Hello class,

            My name is Cate Smith and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at the university. From a young age, I have always been passionate about healthcare, thus, it is one of the reasons I work as an Emergency Room (ER) nurse. Nonetheless, I am thrilled to be part of this class. Even though some of the concepts seem challenging, I believe the ER environment which is relatively high-stress and unpredictable has equipped me with the necessary skills to adapt.

            Among all the courses I have selected this semester, I am most enthusiastic about this one because it will deepen my understanding of microbiology and its implementation in healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the prospect of learning different concepts such as bacterial staining techniques, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, and ELISA adds to the many reasons why I am excited about taking this class . I am eager to know how this knowledge can be applied to the interpretation of lab results particularly in situations where one has to make quick decisions regarding the patient’s treatment. Additionally, I am confident that by understanding bacterial identification and disease pathogenesis, I can improve my ability to recognize potential infections quickly in the ER. I believe this will lead to a faster and a more accurate diagnosis thus contributing to the positive impact I aim to make.

            While I am very enthusiastic about the class and the knowledge I will gain, I anticipate that balancing my studies and my work will be a challenge. As I had stated, the emergency setting is very unpredictable and this means long, irregular, and high-stress situations. Thus, finding enough time for focused study amidst this demanding work schedule will require careful time management skills. Despite these challenges, I am committed to succeeding in this course because I believe the knowledge I will gain will be invaluable in enhancing my nursing course and ultimately improving patient care.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 1 DQ

Assessment Description:

If the same bacterial species is detected on the floor and on the skin, should a person be concerned that they have picked up a pathogen? Why or why not?

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 1 DQ.

Hello class,

            If the same bacteria species is detected on the floor and on the skin, the person should not be concerned that they have picked up a pathogen. This is due to the following reasons, first, it is because many bacterial species are ubiquitous in our environment and bodies. Das (2022) notes that “the non-living objects and all environmentally exposed surfaces of the human body are colonized with trillions of microbes from all three major domains of life, including bacteria”. To support this argument further, Lee et al. (2021) points out that the human microbiome consists of microbial communities that reside in and on our bodies where they play beneficial roles in maintaining human health and are not inherently pathogenic. Nonetheless, it is also important to be aware that the mere presence of a bacteria does not necessarily determine its pathogenicity thus the need to be careful regardless.

            Secondly, the person should not be worried because the human body has various defense mechanisms such as the skin in case of any potential pathogens. The human skin forms a protective barrier against the external environment and is the first line of defense against toxic and pathogenic insults (Harris-Tryon et al., 2022). Additionally, the skin maintains an acidic pH and hosts beneficial bacteria that compete with any potential pathogens thus preventing colonization by harmful bacteria (Swaney et al., 2021). Lastly, and perhaps the most obvious reason, not all bacteria found on floors are necessarily harmful. Dionisio et al. (2023) posits that many environmental bacteria are non-pathogenic thus reaffirming the reason why the person should not worry.

            However, while the detection of the same bacterial species on the floor and skin does not inherently indicate any pathogenic risk, the situation should be thoroughly evaluated considering various factors such as the health of the individual, bacterial strain, and environmental context.

References

Das, B. (2022). An introduction to the human microbiome. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 191(1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.06.026

Dionisio, F., Domingues, C. P., Rebelo, J. S., Monteiro, F., & Nogueira, T. (2023). The impact of non-pathogenic bacteria on the spread of virulence and resistance genes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 1967. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24031967

Harris-Tryon, T. A., & Grice, E. A. (2022). Microbiota and maintenance of skin barrier function. Science, 376(6596), 940-945. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abo0693

Lee, L. H., Wong, S. H., Chin, S. F., Singh, V., & Ab Mutalib, N. S. (2021). Human microbiome: symbiosis to pathogenesis. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 605783.

Swaney, M. H., & Kalan, L. R. (2021). Living in your skin: microbes, molecules, and mechanisms. Infection and immunity, 89(4), 10-1128. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.00695-20

 

Topic 2

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 2: Methods of Culture Transfer, Pure Culture Isolation, and Antimicrobial Testing (Online - Bacterial Staining)

Manipulation of Microorganisms - Methods of Culture Transfer, Pure Culture Isolation, and Antimicrobial Testing: After participating in this lab, students will be able to use aseptic technique to transfer bacteria from one medium to another, use the streak-plate method to isolate bacterial colonies, and use the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay to test for bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants. The results of antimicrobial testing can help determine if a bacterial isolate is susceptible or resistant to various antibiotics, and may help direct a clinician to an effective treatment. (Online) Bacterial Staining: After participating in this topic, students will be able to perform simple stains and several differential staining techniques that are used to observe unique molecules and structures found in various bacterial genera. The Gram stain, which aids in differentiating bacterial cell wall structure, the acid-fast stain, which detects mycobacteria, and the endospore stain, which detects endospore-forming bacteria, are useful for identification of these unique microorganisms.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate the aseptic transfer of bacteria from broth culture to agar slant media, or from an agar slant culture to broth media.
2. Demonstrate the isolation and purification of bacteria using the streak-plate method.
3. Describe the cultural characteristic of bacterial species growth based on macroscopic appearance in slant, plate, and broth media.
4. Determine the zone of inhibition caused by various antibiotics.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 2 DQ 1

Assessment Description:

Describe a bacterial pathogen that possesses one of the following: a) Gram-positive cell wall, b) Gram-negative cell wall, c) can produce an endospore, or d) possesses a capsule. Where does the pathogen that you picked grow in the human body when it causes disease? Include relevant references.

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 2 DQ 1.

Hello class,

During my degree program, I have come across various concepts relating to different bacterial pathogens. This provides me with a great opportunity to explore a number of pathogens considering the characteristics given in the question. However, I will focus on Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is a Gram-positive, encapsulated bacterium that can lead to invasive bacterial disease in children and the elderly (Feldman & Anderson, 2020). These diseases include otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis (Li et al., 2023). Additionally, it is important to note that bacterium's capsule, formed of polysaccharides is an important virulence factor that enables the bacterium to avoid the host's immune system. This capsule assists the bacterium in avoiding engulfment by phagocytic cells within the host, thus contributing significantly to its pathogenicity.

The Streptococcus pneumoniae also known as S. pneumoniae primarily grows and infects the respiratory tract, particularly the lungs. However, Loughran et al. (2019) underscore that it can also spread to other parts of the body causing serious clinical manifestations such as pneumonia where the bacteria multiply in the alveoli of the lungs leading to inflammation and fluid accumulation. In its most severe form, S. pneumoniae invades the bloodstream and leads to bacteremia, or cross the blood-brain barrier causing meningitis (Yang et al., 2023).

Nonetheless, S. pneumoniae can also be found as a normal flora in the human nasopharynx without causing any untoward effects in a person. However, the bacteria may switch from residing as commensal organisms to causing disease, if the host’s immunity is weakened or if the bacteria invade areas in the body that are not exposed to other microorganisms (Loughran et al., 2019). To counter it, two vaccines are registered for use, they include PPV23 and PCV13. Nevertheless, Feldman and Anderson (2020) state that despite the vaccines, there is still considerable debate about the best way to protect adults against pneumococcal infection.

References

Feldman, C., & Anderson, R. (2020). Recent advances in the epidemiology and prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. F1000Research, 9. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.22341.1

Li, L., Ma, J., Yu, Z., Li, M., Zhang, W., & Sun, H. (2023). Epidemiological characteristics and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Streptococcus pneumoniae: An updated review. Microbiological Research, 266, 127221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2022.127221

Loughran, A. J., Orihuela, C. J., & Tuomanen, E. I. (2019). Streptococcus pneumoniae: invasion and inflammation. Microbiology Spectrum, 7(2), 10-1128.  https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0004-2018

Yang, R., Wang, J., Wang, F., Zhang, H., Tan, C., Chen, H., & Wang, X. (2023). Blood-brain barrier integrity damage in bacterial meningitis: the underlying link, mechanisms, and therapeutic targets. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2852. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032852

 

Topic 3

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 3: Bacterial Staining (Online - Manipulation of Microorganisms - Methods of Culture Transfer, Pure Culture Isolation, and Antimicrobial Testing

Bacterial Staining: After participating in this topic, students will be able to perform simple stains and several differential staining techniques that are used to observe unique molecules and structures found in various bacterial genera. The Gram stain, which aids in differentiating bacterial cell wall structure, the acid-fast stain, which detects mycobacteria, and the endospore stain, which detects endospore-forming bacteria, are useful for identification of these unique microorganisms. (Online) Manipulation of Microorganisms - Methods of Culture Transfer, Pure Culture Isolation, and Antimicrobial Testing: After participating in this lab, students will be able to use aseptic technique to transfer bacteria from one medium to another, use the streak-plate method to isolate bacterial colonies, and use the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay to test for bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants. The results of antimicrobial testing can help determine if a bacterial isolate is susceptible or resistant to various antibiotics, and may help direct a clinician to an effective treatment.

Objectives:

1. Describe the rationale for the steps required to prepare a bacterial smear.
2. Compare and contrast the staining characteristics of three species of bacteria using positive and negative staining techniques.
3. Name four positive stains and two negative stains, and explain how their chemical charge affects staining of bacteria.
4. Describe the morphology and cellular arrangement of two species of bacteria.
5. Describe the steps of a Gram stain, and illustrate the type of cell wall structure present in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial cell walls.
6. Identify two acid-fast positive and two acid-fast negative bacteria, and describe the method and steps used in an acid-fast stain.
7. Explain why the unique molecule found in the cell wall of an acid-fast positive bacterium causes this bacterial genus to be difficult to stain.
8. Describe the method and steps of an endospore stain, and illustrate the staining characteristics of endospores and vegetative cells.
9. Identify three bacterial species that form endospores and describe the disease caused by each one.
10. Identify the distinguishing chemical found in the coat of endospores and explain its significance in the resistance of endospores to various chemicals/treatments.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 3 DQ 1

Assessment Description:

Search through news articles or reports (within the past 5 years) on hospital infections that were caused due to a lack of aseptic technique. What happened to cause the spread of the pathogen? How could it have been prevented? Include references to your news article.

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 3 DQ 1.

Hello class,

        In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) narrates the outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis infections across 10 U.S. states in 2021 as reported by Hudson et al. (2022). This narration provides a perfect example of how breaches in aseptic technique can lead to widespread hospital infections. It also emphasizes the significance of safe utilization of medical products in the healthcare sector as well as competency in the manufacturing process.

         According to Hudson et al. (2022), the transmission of the pathogen was mainly through exposure to contaminated nonsterile ultrasound gel that contained Burkholderia stabilis. The contamination is believed to have happened during the production of MediChoice M500812 and Eco Gel 200 products. However, the root cause of the outbreak was the improper use of these nonsterile gels in clinical practice. This contaminated gel was used by healthcare personnel on patients for ultrasound-guided invasive procedures while the gel was only meant for external or noninvasive ultrasonography (Hudson et al. 2022). As a result, the pathogen spread when needles were advanced through the skin where the contaminated gel had been applied, introducing the bacteria into sterile body sites. This practice was particularly problematic given the high bacterial bioburden found in the gel (up to 5.8 x 107 colony-forming units/mL) and BCC's intrinsic resistance to common antiseptics, which may have rendered skin preparation less effective.

         Nonetheless, there are several measures that could have been taken to avoid this outbreak. First, in health facilities, only sterile and single-use ultrasound gel packets should have been used during processes that involved percutaneous needle insertion. Secondly, measures to enhance quality control in the process of production, such as proper testing of output products and input materials, would have revealed the contamination before the products got to the market as explained by the World Health Organization (2024). Lastly, proper training of healthcare personnel regarding the right utilization of the ultrasound gel for various types of procedures could have helped avoid the use of non-sterile gel in invasive procedures. As an Emergency Room (ER) nurse, this serves as a reminder that even seemingly low-risk products like external-use ultrasound gel can pose significant infection risks if not used appropriately.

References

Hudson, M. J. (2022). Outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis infections associated with contaminated nonsterile, multiuse ultrasound gel—10 states, May–September 2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71.

World Health Organization. (2024). Quality Assurance of Pharmaceuticals: A Compendium of Guidelines and Related Materials. Volume 2. Good Manufacturing Practices and Inspection. World Health Organization.

 

Topic 4

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 4: Bacterial Genetics and Midterm Exam

Some bacterial species have been found to take in DNA from the environment, and the newly acquired DNA may give them a selective advantage. Scientists can take advantage of this phenomenon by purposely transforming bacteria or inducing them to take up DNA. This method is used to study gene function and gene expression in bacteria and can have clinical relevance when bacteria take up an antibiotic resistance gene. Clinicians routinely take samples from patients, and if a microorganism is present in a patient sample, its genome is also present. To detect and identify the microorganism, scientists can assay for the presence of an organism's DNA using a powerful molecular biology and diagnostic technique known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products can be analyzed using agarose DNA gel electrophoresis. Students will complete the midterm exam at the end of this topic.

Objectives:

1. Describe the method of bacterial transformation with plasmid DNA.
2. List the DNA sequences/genes present on the pGLO plasmid and explain the function of each.
3. Illustrate and interpret the phenotypic traits of transformed bacteria observed on non-selective and selective media.
4. List the components needed to set up a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction.
5. Describe the three steps in a PCR cycle illustrating what happens in each step using DNA, primers, and Taq DNA polymerase.
6. Explain how PCR cycles create copies of target DNA.
7. Explain the theory of agarose DNA gel electrophoresis, analyze a PCR reaction using agarose DNA gel electrophoresis, and illustrate and describe the results.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 4 DQ 1

Assessment Description:

Patients can be infected with various bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa. Identify one of these organisms from patient samples using the polymerase chain reaction. What tissue is the sample taken from, and what must be done to prepare a PCR reaction? You may base your answer on the laboratory protocol listed in the online lab, "Bacterial Genetics: Transformation and Confirmation Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Agarose DNA Gel Electrophoresis."

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Topic 5

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 5: Identification of Unknown Bacteria

Clinicians need reliable methods to determine the identity of bacteria that have been isolated from patients. Staining methods, media-based tests, and biochemical tests are all used to determine the genus and species of unknown bacteria.

Objectives:

1. Identify an unknown microorganism from a given broth culture using various selective media.
2. Perform an isolation streak of an unknown bacterium, and describe the color, shape, and margin of the resulting colonies.
3. Explain the steps used in a Gram stain and describe the cell wall structure, morphology, and arrangement of an unknown bacteria.
4. List the selective and differential components present in any media used, and explain the function of each selective and/or differential component.
5. Explain the biochemical test, identify the enzyme for which the biochemical test is assaying, and interpret the results.
6. Describe the rapid membrane test used on an unknown bacterium, and interpret the results.
7. Determine the genus and species of an unknown bacterium using the dichotomous key.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 5 DQ 1

Assessment Description:

A number of tests are used to identify a bacterial pathogen taken from human patients. Research and describe a biochemical test that is used to help determine of the genus and species of a bacteria. What bacterial types are usually identified with the use of the test you chose?

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 5 DQ 1.

Hello class,

            During my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I have learned that the catalase test along with other biochemical tests provides us with an easy and simple method to identify bacterial pathogens in clinical microbiology. This straightforward and yet efficient test helps to identify the existence of the enzyme catalase, which numerous bacteria release as a protective stance in response to oxidative stress (Gharaghani et al., 2022). The principle behind the test is that when catalase-positive bacteria are tested with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the enzyme quickly decomposes them into water and oxygen, thus forming bubbles.

            In practice, the catalase test is carried out by adding a few drops of bacterial culture with a drop of hydrogen peroxide on a slide or a test tube. Clear bubbling is formed right after mixing of reagents in case of positive results while in case of negative results, there is no reaction at all. Giuliano et al. (2019) note that this test is valuable especially when differentiating between major groups of bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, which can appear similar under microscopic examination.

            By the end of the test, the bacteria that gave positive results for catalase would include pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, most bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae family, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conversely, the catalase-negative bacteria would be Streptococcus species (S.pyogenes and S. pneumoniae) and Enterococcus species (Giuliano et al., 2019). While the catalase test alone is not sufficient for definitive bacterial identification, it serves as a crucial initial step in the diagnostic process. It is often applied in combination with other tests, such as the coagulase test to help in the identification of Staphylococcus species or as a part of a multiplicity of biochemical reactions.  I am confident that this set of tests enhances detection of bacterial pathogens and the clinicians' choice of how to manage their cases.

References

Gharaghani, M., Jafarian, H., Hatami, M., Shabanzadeh, M., & Mahmoudabadi, A. Z. (2022). Evaluation of catalase activity of clinical and environmental isolates of Aspergillus species. Iranian Journal of Microbiology, 14(1), 133. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v14i1.8815

Giuliano, C., Patel, C. R., & Kale-Pradhan, P. B. (2019). A guide to bacterial culture identification and results interpretation. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 44(4), 192.

 

Topic 6

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 6: Microorganisms and Humans: Infectious Diseases, Immunology, and Pathogenic Eukaryotes

Numerous types of microorganisms are known to cause disease in humans. It is important to understand the morphology and staining characteristics of microorganisms obtained from patient samples. Clinicians also need reliable methods to determine if a patient has been infected with a microorganism. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is an antibody-based assay that can be used to directly detect the presence of an organism in a sample, or to detect antibodies specific to an organism in a patient sample.

Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast the morphological characteristics of various pathogenic bacteria, and explore the role of these bacteria in human diseases.
2. Perform ELISA to detect the presence of an antigen from a pathogen.
3. Analyze the morphology and structure of trophozoite, cyst, and other forms of eukaryotic microorganisms that cause diseases.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 6 DQ 1

Assessment Description:

Choose a bacteria, virus, fungus, or protozoa that causes disease in humans. Describe how the disease is diagnosed and treated.

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 6 DQ 1.

Hello class,

            “Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global public health challenge that results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2016, there were more than 10.4 million reported cases and approximately 1.7 million deaths related to TB worldwide" (Sia et al., 2019). This underscores the need to understand and learn about the disease’s causative agent, diagnosis, and treatment method. According to Chandra et al. (2022), Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis and has infected humans for millennia. Diagnosis of TB begins with a comprehensive medical history and physical examination. Physicians often employ the tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test to detect TB infection. However, these tests cannot distinguish between active TB and a previous infection that never showed symptoms, thus further investigation is required (CDC, 2023). For the diagnosis of active TB, chest X-ray findings are used to determine analogous lung changes that are associated with the illness.

            Nonetheless, the standard tests for confirming TB are sputum microscopy and culture where the sputum samples are checked under a microscope for acid-resistant back illi and subsequently, bacterial isolation (Chandra et al., 2022). While accurate, this technique can be considered as being quite time-consuming. Thus, molecular tests like the Xpert MTB/RIF are necessary as they detect M. tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance within hours (Patel et al., 2020). After diagnosis, the standard first-line treatment for drug-susceptible TB comprises of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide for two months and then, continues with isoniazid and rifampicin for four months (Teed et al., 2019). Conversely, drug-resistant TB requires multiple drugs, which include fluoroquinolones, injectable aminoglycosides, and other newly developed drugs such as bedaquiline. Nevertheless, with further advancements in diagnostics and treatment modalities, I believe the dream of a tuberculosis-free world endures to inspire the global health community.

References

CDC. (2023, December 15). TB Prevention in Health Care Settings. https://www.cdc.gov/tb-healthcare-settings/hcp/screening-testing/index.html

Chandra, P., Grigsby, S. J., & Philips, J. A. (2022). Immune evasion and provocation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20(12), 750-766. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-022-00763-4

Patel, J., Upadhyay, M., Kundnani, V., Merchant, Z., Jain, S., & Kire, N. (2020). Diagnostic efficacy, sensitivity, and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for spinal tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance. Spine, 45(3), 163-169.

Sia, J. K., & Rengarajan, J. (2019). Immunology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Microbiology Spectrum, 7(4), 10-1128.  https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0022-2018

Tweed, C. D., Dawson, R., Burger, D. A., Conradie, A., Crook, A. M., Mendel, C. M., ... & Spigelman, M. (2019). Bedaquiline, moxifloxacin, pretomanid, and pyrazinamide during the first 8 weeks of treatment of patients with drug-susceptible or drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a multicentre, open-label, partially randomised, phase 2b trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 7(12), 1048-1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(19)30366-2

 

Topic 7

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 7: Disease Presentation and Final Exam

When studying a disease, microbiologists need to know the causative agent of the disease, understand the symptoms and pathogenesis, study how the disease spreads, and learn how to treat or prevent the disease. Students will complete the final exam in this topic.

Objectives:

1. Determine the signs and symptoms, causative agent, pathogenesis, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of a disease caused by an infectious agent.

 

Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 7 DQ 1

Assessment Description:

Describe a habit that you are going to implement when you become a nurse that will protect you and your patients from being infected by pathogenic microorganisms.

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SOLUTION to Bio-205L Microbiology Lab - Topic 7 DQ 1.

Hello class,

As an Emergency Room (ER) nurse who will be regularly exposed to potentially infectious microorganisms, one habit I will implement is properly disinfecting my hands. Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the most important practice for preventing the spread of pathogenic microbes between patients and healthcare workers (Faujdar et al., 2020). This practice will include washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after each patient encounter, after contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces, and before performing any sterile procedures.

Maintaining good hand hygiene will be especially important in my role as an ER nurse given the unpredictable nature of the department. Patients come through the ER doors with a variety of undiagnosed illnesses and infectious states and it is not always immediately clear who may be contagious upon their arrival. Thorough hand hygiene between patients will help interrupt the transmission of microbes that could lead to healthcare-associated infections (Haque et al. 2020). This protects both my patients and myself from acquiring potentially antibiotic-resistant organisms.

In addition to hand hygiene, I will follow standard precautions around use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when exposure to body fluids is anticipated (CDC, n.d.). Proper donning and doffing of PPE helps form a critical physical barrier between myself and infectious microbes. I will be diligent about disposing of contaminated PPE properly after each patient contact to avoid transmission via contaminated surfaces or improper disposal.

I believe maintaining rigorous hand hygiene and PPE habits will protect patients who come to the ER with compromised immunity as well as vulnerable hospitalized patients from pathogens carried in from the community. It is an essential way I can fulfill my duties as a nurse to "do no harm" while working with undiagnosed, potentially infectious patients. By upholding these habits I will aim to curb the rising issue of multidrug-resistant organisms and keep all individuals within the healthcare system safe from preventable infections.

References

CDC. (n.d.). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 101. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/media/pdfs/Strive-PPE101-508.pdf

Faujdar, S. S., Kumar, S., Mehrishi, P., Solanki, S., Sharma, A., & Verma, S. (2020). Hand hygiene knowledge, attitude, practice and hand microflora analysis of staff nurses in a rural tertiary care hospital. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 9(9), 4969-4973. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_773_20

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