Availability for student inquiries through phone calls or FaceTime for assistance
Lab Schedule and Inquiries
Friday Lab Session: Open lab will be held on Friday.Students encouraged to reach out with questions about lab work or unknown cultures.
Wednesday Lab: Jen will conduct lab on Wednesday at 02:24.
Need for Materials: Reminder for students to communicate their needs for lab materials or cultures before meeting.
Test Review: Tests will be brought to discuss results with students from Pramp and Winnemucca.
Technical Adjustments: Room setup should operate as usual; report any issues for troubleshooting.
Beta Proteobacteria
Overview of Pathogenic Groups: Continued discussion on beta proteobacteria focusing on notable genera.
Neisseria Genus
Neisseria Overview:
Possesses fimbriae to attach to mucous membranes of mammals causing infection.
Two primary human pathogens:
N. gonorrhoeae (Gonorrhea)
N. meningitidis (Meningitis)
N. gonorrhoeae (Gonorrhea)
Transmission:
Infection through mucosa of urogenital, oral, anal membranes, and conjunctiva of the eye.
Vertical transmission possible from mother to baby during childbirth, which could lead to conjunctivitis in infants.
Symptoms: Typically asymptomatic; can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Treatment:
Historically treated with penicillin; resistance developed over time.
Treatment currently involves antibiotics.
N. meningitidis (Meningitis)
Overview: Causes bacterial meningitis; infection and swelling in the meninges of the brain and spinal cord.
Incidence: 40% of the population are asymptomatic carriers.
Symptoms Upon Infection:
Fever, severe headache, stiff neck (classic sign), and rapid progression to coma or death.
At-Risk Populations: Infants under 2 years old; college students in dorms.
Treatment: Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment required. Possible complications include brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
Vaccines: Vaccination campaigns targeted towards college students.
Gamma Proteobacteria
Overview of Characteristics: A diverse and large group with various shapes, metabolic types, and reproductive strategies organized into five main subgroups.
Subgroups of Gamma Proteobacteria
Purple Sulfur Bacteria:
Obligate anaerobes; oxidize hydrogen sulfide to sulfur, producing sulfur granules instead of oxygen.
Legionella pneumophila: Causes Legionnaires' Disease, associated with contaminated water systems.
Methane Oxidizers:
Utilize methane as their carbon source, contributing to environmental concerns due to greenhouse gases.
Enterobacteriaceae Family:
Found in the intestinal tracts of humans/animals, many are pathogens. Includes:
E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Klebsiella, Yersinia, Erwinia, Enterobacter, Cronobacter.
Specific Pathogens and Concerns:
E. coli: Commonly studied; serves as a contamination indicator. Potential for opportunistic infections and certain strains can be deadly (e.g., O157:H7).
Salmonella: Most species are pathogenic, often found in cold-blooded animals, particularly reptiles and poultry.
Typhoid Fever: Caused by Salmonella enterica; transmission through oral-fecal route.
Shigella: Causes shigellosis; results in diarrhea and dysentery. Highly infectious; primarily affects children under 5.
Yersinia: Includes Yersinia pestis (bubonic plague).
Cronobacter: Linked to infant formula recalls due to necrotizing enterocolitis in infants.
Clinical Implications: Most genera in gamma proteobacteria are associated with healthcare-related (nosocomial) infections.
Urinary Tract Infections: Specific species (e.g., Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris) often found in hospital infections.
Conclusion
Overview of discussions and material covered in beta and gamma proteobacteria.
Acknowledgment of the importance of understanding these pathogens for better prevention and treatment.
Brief mention of lab report due dates and academic scheduling.
Reminders
Students are encouraged to reach out with questions or for clarifications regarding laboratory work or course material.