HEPATITIS B VIRUS
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) which causes hepatitis B is a DNA virus from the Hepadnavirus family. Disease HBV is a hepatotrophic virus a…
MICROBILOGY
ENTEROVIRUSES
The human enterovirus group includes the polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses as well as enteroviruses. They are ubiquitous and cause a…
SERRATIA
This is a Gram negative rod that thrives in moist environments. It frequently contaminates solutions and hospital equipment and the human rese…
SALMONELLA
This is a Gram negative bacillus that can be found in the gut of humans and almost all animals throughout the world. Disease Gastroenterit…
PSEUDOMONAS
Gram negative bacilli that live in water and are capable of prolonged survival in moist and dry environments. The species most commonly encou…
MYCOBACTERIUM
These are rod-shaped organisms which don't stain well with the Gram stain because of their thick waxy coat. An acid-fast stain such as the …
MULTI-RESISTANT ORGANISMS
The main issue in relation to resistant organisms such as MRSA, VRE and MDRTB in connection with endoscopy is the potential risk for conta…
LEGIONELLA
A gram negative bacillus that is widely distributed in warm, wet environments and is of particular concern in air-conditioning cooling towers and …
HELICOBACTER
A spiral shaped bacteria with the human gastric mucosa being its major habitat. It is not routinely cultured in most diagnostic microbiology labor…
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE
This is a Gram positive bacillus that produces spores and requires anaerobic conditions for growth. It forms part of the normal intestinal flora in …
20 Food Poisoning Dangers, Common and Uncommon
Listeria: Raw Fruits and Vegetables The dangerous listeriosis outbreak of 2011 has many people rethinking the rules about food safety and f…
What is Salmonella?
What is Salmonella? Salmonella is a nasty bacterium that sometimes turns up in the food supply, including chicken, tomatoes, peanuts, salsa, gu…
Understanding Bacteria (1/5)
Part one of five from the Discovery Channel series 'Understanding Bacteria'. Look for appearances from American Society for Microbiology …
E. coli is a common type of bacteria
E. coli is a common type of bacteria that can get into food, like beef and vegetables. E. coli is short for the medical term Escherichia coli. Th…