Abstract This paper explains the structure, composition and function of viruses and bacteria. The paper also describes a disease caused by a virus and its treatment as well as a virus caused by a bacterium and its treatment. In addition, the paper discusses the development of antibiotic resistance by bacteria.
From the Paper "Viruses are not composed of cells and cannot metabolize or multiply on their own. They consist of either DNA or RNA in from four to thousands of genes surrounded by a protein coat. Sometimes there is an additional coat surrounding the protein. Viruses can be as small as ribosomes or large enough to be seen under a normal light microscope. The genes of a virus can be composed of single-stranded or double-stranded DNA or RNA and the coat can consists of one..."
Abstract This paper discusses the classification, structure and functioning of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The paper presents the methods of reproduction and mechanisms of pathogenesis, and then lists the antimicrobial agents used against them. For each case, the paper highlights one disease and discusses the laboratory diagnosis.
From the Paper "Bacteria are prokaryotes, i.e. they do not have their DNA enclosed in a nucleus. They are among the earliest life forms that appeared on Earth billions of years ago and helped change the environment, creating oxygen which enabled higher forms to evolve..."
Abstract This detailed paper defines periodontitis as the swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth which is characterized by puffy tender gums and if left untreated ultimately results in tooth loss. Periodontitis arises due to the deposition of bacterial plaque in the teeth below the gum line. This paper details the causes, symptoms and treatment of periodontitis.
Topics covered in this report include:
What is Periodontitis?
Bacteria and Periodontitis
What are the Causes for Periodontitis?
What are the Signs of Periodontitis?
How to Prevent Gum Disease?
Treatment for Periodontitis
Periostat and Periodontitis
Role of Bacteria in Periodontitis
Role of Bacteria in Oral Halitosis
Spirochaetes, a Special Form of Bacteria Bibliography
From the Paper "Bacteria are the main cause for a gum disease, and to improve the gum health it is important to remove bacteria. But bacteria are not the straight cause for the gum and dental bone tissue damage and consequent teeth loss. The gum and bone tissue damage are actually caused by the body's own resistance against bacterial infection. But how can this be? The body has a natural infection-fighting mechanism and it sends white blood cells to the infected site."
Tags: oral, medicine, dental, care, bacteria, dentistry
Abstract This paper that examines the effect of antibiotics on the evolution of present day bacteria. These bacterial are considered in light of anti-biotic resistance. The paper also focuses on bacteria's rapid mutagenic properties. Additionally, the paper further explores how pharmaceutical companies are trying to outsmart bacteria's ability to mutate and survive. The mechanisms of action for antibiotics are provided as well as an explanation of why antibiotic resistance is so prevalent.
From the Paper "Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. When it was first introduced to the public in 1944, 94% of the most commonly known bacteria were still susceptible to eradication and it saved countless lives. By 1950, the number was reduced to 50% and the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has continued to increase. Similarly, life threatening bacterial infections are on the rise as new forms of bacteria are discovered. Many of these bacteria had their origins in disease strains that were previously treated effectively with antibiotics. However, with the rise in use of antibiotics over the past several decades in industry and agriculture along with the increase in number and types of antibiotics produced and over prescribed by physicians, bacteria being highly adaptogenic have mutated into antibiotic-resistant strains. This paper will discuss the main mechanisms of antibiotic effectivity, discuss what is leading to antibiotic resistance among bacteria, state..."
Abstract This paper deals with how spots occur (inflamed lesions), and their subsequent bacterial growth. It gives details into how the effect of various concentrations of anti-bacterial facewashes affect the spread of bacteria. A thorough experimental aceptic technique is made reference to in this paper.
From the Paper "A spot starts when a pore in the skin becomes blocked ? usually with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells, which the skin produces. As the pore becomes blocked, it becomes infected with bacteria, which are normally present on the surface of the skin. These bacteria breakdown the oil and dead cells to form chemicals which cause swelling, redness and the formation of an "inflamed lesion" or a SPOT."
This paper is a research plan of a study to be conducted on whether attending University increases the risk of acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, and the implications of this.
Abstract The purpose of the study is to assess whether those attending a university in the USA are at risk of acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the university setting. The risk is assessed by determining whether there are higher incidences of MRSA carriers in the university setting than in other areas of the community, as this may signify that those carrying MRSA have acquired the bacteria through university attendance. As a secondary objective, the study aims to compile a set of recommendations which would aim to reduce the likelihood of contracting MRSA in the university environment.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of the study
Methods
Required Readings
Anticipated Bibliography
From the Paper "The second phase of the study would comprise of a direct study of students at my university, in order to discover the numbers of students who currently carry MRSA. A sample of students would be selected, with selection being based upon that student not being at particular risk of MRSA, i.e. not having been hospitalized in the last year, or having undergone surgery of any kind within the last year. There may also be other exclusions which would be included from the findings of the literature review. These students would then have samples taken in order to test for the presence of MRSA; such testing would need to take into account participant confidentiality. The literature review would be used in order to elucidate a specific method for sample selection, using articles involving similar successful studies.
"From the findings of the testing for MRSA, it would be possible to establish whether there are indeed higher levels of MRSA in the university population by contrasting the results with any results obtained in the literature review; it may also be possible to contrast with results from other universities. The results can also be used in order to aid in the composition of recommendations to reduce the risk of contracting MRSA while attending university."
Abstract This paper presents a formal biology laboratory report. It presents a procedure that was devised to remove all bacteria from a chicken wing. It begins by discussing the bacteria that can be present on chicken wings and the possible solutions to the problem. The paper then reports on a test for the efficacy of certain antibiotics on the bacteria of the untreated wing.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Study Organisms
Treatment Of Choice For Elimination Of Bacteria From A Chicken Wing
Serial Dilutions Of Washes From Both Wings
Gathering Of Bacterial Cultures From Both Wings
Effects Of Various Antibiotics On Three Types Of Bacteria Results
Control Agar Petri Plate
Treatment Agar Petri Plate
Antibiotic Disk Results
Chicken Wing Bacteria Discussion
Appendix
From the Paper "It is important to remove all bacteria, such as salmonella, from raw foods to avoid any foodborne diseases. Four serial dilutions were created in microfuge test tubes for a control chicken wing and a treatment chicken wing. The treatment chicken wing was treated using vinegar, salt, and heat. Cultures from each microfuge test tube were streaked on two different agar plates and left to reproduce, incubated at 30o Celsius for 22 hours. The proposed treatment of the chicken wing proved to be 100% effective producing no visible colonies on the agar plate. Four antibiotics - penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol - were used to treat E. coli, M. luteus, and chicken wing bacteria. The bacteria cultures were smeared on three different Petri dishes, and divided into four quadrants where antibiotic disks were placed. After 22 hours of incubation at 30o Celsius, diameters of the rings of clear agar around each antibiotic disk were recorded. Chloramphenicol produced the largest diameter on all three Petri dishes, while penicillin proved to work best on gram-positive bacteria. The bacteria on the chicken wing were gram-negative and most resistant to tetracycline."
Abstract In light of the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the ensuing difficulties of treatment for the medical community, patients are expanding their treatment options to include more nontraditional techniques. This paper examines how Manuka honey, a honey produced in New Zealand, offers the possibility of an effective alternative treatment for H. Pylori infection and wound infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The resistance of the traditional medical establishment to nontraditional treatment methods has meant that quantitative, evidence-based studies into the effectiveness of Manuka honey are not common. This paper presents a randomized, double-blind, controlled study that investigates the effectiveness of Manuka honey treatment for H. Pylori and antibiotic-resistant organisms such as MRSA and gram-negative bacteria.
From the Paper "Not long after penicillin was introduced for the treatment of a variety of infections, the first strains of penicillin-resistant bacteria began to appear. The nature of the bacterial lifecycle made them more capable of rapid evolution to respond to antibiotics. Bacteria reproduce so quickly (usually on the order of a few hours) that any mutations introduced are rapidly propagated through the generations. When a chance mutation enables a bacterium to resist antibiotics, this bacterium survives and quickly replicates, passing this resistant mutation on to subsequent generations. The problem is made more severe when doctors prescribe antibiotics more as a treatment of psychological complaints than genuine bacterial infections. To further complicate the issue of antibiotic resistance, patients sometimes do not finish a course of antibiotics. Assuming they're well and the infection has been cured, patients may stop a course of treatment prematurely. This results in the less hardy bacteria being killed off, while the more resistant bacteria remain to reinfect, and reinfect more virulently."
Abstract The writer points out that the purpose of this laboratory was to acquire fundamental knowledge and experience in microbiological procedures, specifically in growing bacterial colonies on a nutrient medium under controlled conditions. In this case, Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria were grown on nutrient agar, contamination was minimized by keeping the surroundings sterile, and all agar plates were incubated. The writer notes that the first part involved making five serial dilutions from a bacterial suspension in order to pinpoint colony numbers. The second experiment compared two methods of spreading bacteria across agar plates using streaks. The goal was to isolate single colonies. Lastly, the third portion of the laboratory involved replicating plates from a master plate in order to isolate strains of mutant bacteria onto different nutrient mediums and determine bacterial auxotrophy to these nutrients.
Outline:
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References
From the Paper "In the streaking experiment, method B proved to be much more effective for isolating single colonies. The different streaking methods may have contributed to the morphological differences between the E. coli on the two plates. There were evident differences in the size and colour. Since method B was dominated by spaced out single colonies, the darker colour and larger size can be attributed to more nutrients being available to each colony, and more room (surface area) for growth. For the same reason, the more crowded groups of bacteria on the method A plate were a lighter colour and generally smaller. Aside from these two differences, the E. coli shared great resemblance, and based on morphology alone, should not be classified as different species. Nonetheless, the only way to determine whether or not two sets of visibly different bacteria are genetically different is to actually observe their DNA."
Abstract This paper discusses the threats of infectious organisms, with a focus on their ports of entry. The paper explains that typical portals of entry include the mouth, ears, eyes, urethra, nose, and skin, while non-typical portals might include wounds, broken skin, insect bites, or even animal bites or stings. The paper explores the E. coli bacteria, Hepatitis A ,and Guardia Lamblia, providing explanations of how these diseases may be contracted and various methods for treatment and prevention.
Outline
Introduction
The Mouth and Gastrointestinal Tract
Defense Mechanisms
The E. coli Bacteria E. Coli Taxonomy and Virulence
Treatment and Prevention
Hepatitis A
Taxonomy
Treatment and Prevention
Guardia Lamblia
Taxonomy
Treatment and Prevention
Conclusions
From the Paper "Indeed, the specialized preferences of many organisms with regard to ports of entry are so consistent that it is often taken as a hallmark of a particular organism in the diagnosis phase. This is especially important when one notes that the symptoms of characteristic of a specific infection usually give clear clues as to the point of entry. Although it is important to consider the point of entry when diagnosing the cause of illness in a patient, it can also be important for many aspects of disease prevention, especially when a high risk for a particular organism is present in one's environment. For example, if one knows that he or she is working in an environment where there is a high incidence of an airborne pathogen, steps can be taken (the wearing of masks the use of patient isolation procedures for example) to minimize possible exposures to that pathogen."
Abstract In this article, the writer presents an analysis of new strains of antibiotic resistant mutant bacteria. The writer describes the reactions of health professionals and the government regarding this bacteria. The writer further shows attempts to try to curb this deadly new threat to public health.
From the Paper "The discovery of antibiotics is widely hailed as one of the miracles of modern medicine. However the widespread use and misuse of such infection-fighting medicines have given rise to a new generation of infectious bacteria known as super-bugs. When bacteria survive antibiotics they develop resistance. This resistance is passed to future generations of the bacteria, making them all but immune to antibiotics commonly used to treat such infections. The misuse of antibiotics including not using all of a prescription or overusing them and the practice of ... "
Abstract This paper discusses the bacteria content and safety of the drinking water in Vancouver, Canada. It looks at how the environment can affect one's drinking water and what needs to be done to prevent bacteria from entering the water we drink. The paper then discusses what individuals can do to help the community improve the safety of drinking water.
From the Paper "Vancouver's water system has experienced problems in the past. For instance, bacteria in the water can be a health risk. Bacteria can affect drinking water if it is not prevented. "Unfiltered surface water supplies have the potential of containing the protozoan pathogens Giardia and Cryptosporidium" (Water 7). In fact, this has occurred in the past such as during the late 1920's. Since this time, environmental concerns have been addressed by many communities in Canada and the United States. Canada is concerned about improving water and sanitation in the region (ADB Taking New Directions). While Vancouver gets much of its water from Eagle Lake and Montizambert Creek, testing for bacteria is required. Samples are tested for bacteria, physical and chemical parameters including metals as well as samples for fecal coliform, total coliforms, and E.coli (2005 Drinking Water ii)."
A critical assessment of a short article that recently appeared on the HeltNewsDigest.com website under the title "Even as You Work Out, Bacteria May be Bulking Up at the Gym".
Abstract This paper looks at the article "Even as You Work Out, Bacteria May be Bulking Up at the Gym", which highlights the threat coming from methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteria that can be found in the gyms many of us visit. The paper discusses how the article is very short, written in a simple English and has very little additional important information. The paper maintains that the article is also not completely scientifically accurate and many points have been oversimplified. As such, it has several weaknesses that can result in misinformation.
From the Paper "There are two distinct isolates of MRSA recognized today. One of them is community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA), which is the topic of the article, while the other one is health care-associated MRSA which is mentioned but not distinguished from Ca-MRSA. There are several reasons why this should be important. The outbreaks of CA-MRSA in the community could not be associated with health care exposure among the reported cases (Kowalski et al., 2005). CA-MRSA isolates are distinctly different form nonsocomial MRSA ones. The community strains often exhibit the resistance to -lactams only. On the other hand nonsocomial MRSA shows a strong multi-antibiotic resistance pattern (Kowalski et al, 2005)."
Abstract This paper summarizes the conditions that lead to antibiotic resistance. The author examines aspects such as over-prescription, high level of both bacteria and antibiotics in hospitals and the use of antibiotics in livestock feed that lead to a resistence. The author discusses the increasing uselessness of newer antibiotics and new strategies for preventing the spread of infectious disease.
From the Paper 'Antibiotic resistance has been building in bacterial populations for decades, but advances in medicine (i.e. new types of antibiotics) have always stayed one step ahead. Antibiotics are becoming harder and harder to develop ? there is a limited number of ways to recreate antibiotics, and drug companies may have come to the end of the list. Vancomycin ? considered the drug of last resort when all other antibiotics fail ? is no longer a sure cure. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported in hospitals across the U.S., and some of these infections are untreatable with any current antibiotic. However, vancomycin is being prescribed more and more often when other drugs fail ? and VRE populations are growing (Mitchell, 1998)."
Abstract This paper defined disease as anything impairing the normal state or functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its parts, explaining how certain diseases are short lived, but severe, others chronic. The author classifies diseases by their cause and how infectious they may be.
From the paper:
"Disease can be defined as anything impairing the normal state or functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its parts. Some diseases are short lived, but they are accompanied by severe symptoms. Others are chronic, or diseases that last a long time. Diseases are classified by their cause; this could be a virus, bacteria, rickettsias, or protozoa. Fungi and parasitic worms can also cause diseases. Human, certain animals and insects, and infected objects can transmit only infectious diseases. Chemical and physical agents such as drugs, poisons, and radiation can also cause disease."
