Bacteria that grow in the presence of oxygen. The most common causes of clinical infection.
Microscopic organisms whose single cells have neither a membrane-enclosed nucleus nor other membrane-enclosed organelles. Bacteria are typically listed with two names the first refers to the genus and the second the phylum (or particular strain) of the genus.
Most bacteria causing infections are Gram-positive organisms. Classically, six Gram-positive genera are typically most pathogenic. Two of the most common being Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.
These strains are less prevalent, but nonetheless just as much of a problem. They are characterized by their rod shape and the existence of a double cell membrane. One of the most common and problematic such strains is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A biofilm is an aggregate of microorganisms in which cells collectively gather into a community on a surface and surround themselves with a sheath. Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and hospital settings. The microbial cells growing in a biofilm are physiologically distinct from planktonic cells of the same organism, which, by contrast, are single-cells that may float or swim in a liquid medium.
Single-celled bacteria that live as floating organisms, derived from the word plankton.
An infection that despite efforts to treat with antibiotics, continues to return. Recurrent bacterial infections may also develop resistance to antibiotics that were once successful in treatment.
(Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) planktonic susceptibility test. MIC represents the traditional approach to treating bacterial infections despite the limitations with treating based on planktonic susceptibility alone.
(Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration) biofilm susceptibility test. MBEC or biofilm testing allows for antibiotic susceptibility to be run based on the more resistant biofilm profile, found commonly in the true bacterial environment.
The capacity of an organism to defend itself.
Likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by.
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing. Their overuse and abuse over time has resulted in the need for Biofilms and other mechanisms for survival.
