Bacterial Pathogens and their Characteristics

Name the characteristics and what disease is caused by the pathogen.

Bacillus anthracis

Aerobic, Gram-positive, and spore-forming bacillus that causes anthrax

Bordetella pertussis

Gram-negative bacterium that causes whooping cough

Borrelia burgdorferi

Spirochete that does not have typical Gram stain characteristics.

Campylobacter jejuni

Gram-negative, microaerophilic, and spiral-shaped. Causes campylobacteriosis.

Chlamydia trachomatis

Obligate intracellular coccus bacteria that does not have typical Gram stain characteristics but is considered Gram-negative. Causes chlamydia.

Clostridium botulinum

Anaerobic gram-positive spore-forming bacillus. Causes botulism.

Clostridium difficile

Anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus that causes pseudomembranous colitis.

Clostridium tetani

Anaerobic, Gram-positive, bacillus that sometimes forms spores. Causes tetanus.

Escherichia coli

Gram-negative bacillus that causes E. coli diarrhea.

Haemophilus influenzae

Gram-negative coccobacillus that causes Haemophilus influenzae serotype B (Hib) disease.

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Two types- epiglottis and pneumonia

helicobacter pylori

Microaerophilic, gram-negative bacillus that causes peptic ulcer.

Legionella pneumophila

Gram-negative bacillus that causes Legionnaire’s disease (severe pneumonia).

Mycobacterium leprae

Acid-fast bacillus that causes leprosy.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Acid-fast bacillus that causes tuberculosis.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Wall-less bacteria usually coccoid in shape with polar extensions. Causes mycoplasma pneumonia.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gram-negative diplococcus that causes gonorrhea

Neisseria meningitidis

Gram-negative diplococcus that causes meningitis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Gram-negative bacillus that causes hot tub rash (pseudomonas infection)

Rickettsia rickettsi

Gram-negative coccobacillus that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Shigella sonnei

Gram-negative bacillus that causes shigellosis

Staphylococcus aureus

Gram-positive coccus that causes MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection

Streptococcus pneumonia

Gram-positive diplococcus that causes bacterial pneumonia.

Streptococcus pyogenes

Gram-positive coccus that causes strep throat.

Treponema pallidum

Gram-negative spirochete bacteria that causes syphilis

Vibrio cholerae

Gram-negative curved rod bacteria that causes cholera.