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Bacillus stearothermophilus - Gram-positive, rod spore-forming prokaryote. Magnification 2000. This bacterium grows at warm temperatures and is considered a thermophile. It is among the most abundant in warm compost piles. Spores of bacteria allow the bacteria to survive harsh conditions until the time when the bacterium can grow and reproduce. It is used as a biological indicator, including monitoring sterilization processes. Courtesy of Dennis Kunkel.
Mucor spp., fruiting structure with spores. Magnification 400, scanning electron microscopy. The fruiting structure (condiophore) has matured and its outer membrane is disintegrating allowing the spores (conidia) to be released. Mucor is a common fungus found in many environments. It is a Zygomycetes fungus which may be allergenic and is often found as saprobes in soils, dead plant material (such as hay), horse dung, and fruits. Mucor is in house dust, air samples, and old dirty carpets, especially in water damaged moist building materials. Accumulated dust in ventilation ducts may contain high concentrations of viable Mucor spores giving rise to allergic or asthmatic reactions. It is an opportunistic pathogen and may cause mucorosis in immunocompromised individuals. The sites of infections are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Few species have been isolated from cases of zygomycosis, but the term mucormycosis has often been used. Zygomycosis includes mucocutaneous and rhinocerebral infections, as well as renal infections, gastritis, and pulmonary infections. Courtesy of Dennis Kunkel.
Bordetella holmesii. Gram-negative, aerobic, coccobacillus prokaryote (dividing). Magnification 5500, scanning electron microscopy. Courtesy of Dennis Kunkel.
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The Facts about Meningitis and Meningococcal Disease
By Medical College of Wisconsin.
Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ.
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GM Bacteria Creates Living Photographs
By Science a Go Go.
Using genetically engineered E. coli, students have successfully created the first-ever bacterial photographic paper.
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Blue Light May Help Eliminate Periodontal Disease
By Neal Rolfe Chamberlain.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory process that occurs in about 14% of the adult population in the United States. Gram-negative bacteria (ex. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia,
and Prevotella nigrescens) originating from dental plague cause inflammation of the gums eventually leading to periodontal pockets between the gums and the tooth roots.
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Urinary Tract Infections Common in Women, but Treatable
By Medical College of Wisconsin.
Urine is normally sterile. When bacteria or other microorganisms - usually from the digestive system - cling to the opening of the urethra, they can enter the urinary tract and begin to multiply, and an infection follows.
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Forget Horsepower, Think Cow-Power
By Science a Go Go.
Rumen fluid - found in the digestive system of cows - contains microbes that can be used to generate prodigious amounts of electric power.
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Saliva Test May Predict Risk for Cavities
By Neal Rolfe Chamberlain.
The most common cause of tooth loss in children is cavity formation. The most common cause of a tooth cavity is a bacterium called Streptococcus mutans.
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