Haemophilus Microbiology Notes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the genus Haemophilus and its microbiological characteristics and laboratory techniques, based on the lecture notes.

Haemophilus influenzae

A gram-negative bacillus that can cause infections of the respiratory tract and is characterized as oxidase positive.

Fastidious species

Microorganisms that require enriched media for growth, such as Haemophilus species.

Oxidase test

A test used to detect the presence of cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain.

Chocolate agar

A type of enriched media used for growing fastidious organisms like Haemophilus, containing hemoglobin and yeast extract.

Satellitism

A phenomenon where Haemophilus influenzae colonies grow around a Staphylococcus aureus streak, showing their dependency on V factor.

X factor

Hemin, a derivative of hemoglobin, required by certain Haemophilus species for growth.

V factor

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme that some Haemophilus species require for growth.

Capsule

A protective layer found in some strains of H. influenzae that is used to classify serogroups.

Non-typable strains (NTHi)

Non-encapsulated strains of Haemophilus influenzae that can cause various infections like otitis media.

BAP

Blood Agar Plate; used for culturing bacteria and observing hemolysis patterns during testing.

Serogroups

Categories of encapsulated H. influenzae based on their polysaccharide capsule.

Conjugate vaccines

Vaccines that combine bacterial polysaccharides with a protein to enhance the immune response against encapsulated organisms.

Gram stain

A widely used staining technique that differentiates bacterial species into gram-positive and gram-negative based on cell wall characteristics.

TSA plates

Tryptic Soy Agar plates used in laboratory exercises for culturing various bacteria.

Coagulase test

A laboratory test used to determine the presence of coagulase enzyme produced by certain bacteria.

Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA)

A selective and differential culture medium used for isolating staphylococci.

Catalase test

A test that identifies organisms that produce the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide.

Direct smear

A quick technique to obtain preliminary results from clinical specimens by microscopically observing a sample directly.

Incubator

A controlled environment for growing bacterial cultures at specific temperatures and conditions.

Candle jar

A simple anaerobic chamber used to grow microorganisms that require increased levels of CO2.

Clinical microbiota

The community of microorganisms that normally inhabit the upper respiratory tract without causing disease.