Introduction Pneumocystis jirovecii is a genus of unicellular fungi found in the respiratory tracts of many mammals and humans. Causal Agents Pneumocystis jirovecii taxonomic classification has been a debate since it was discovered in 1909. It was originally labeled incorrectly as a trypanosome and again later for a protozoan (Bennett, 2013). In 1988, it was proven wrong when Edman and Stringer showed that the ribosomal RNA sequences of P carinii correlated to those of fungus and entirely dissimilar to those of other parasites (Catherinot, 2010). Since then, P. jirovecii has been placed in the fungal kingdom. P. jirovecii can be seen in 3 different morphologic forms: trophozite, sporozite and as a cyst. In the tropohozoite from, the organism is pleomorphic, non-motile and is in a vegetative state. The sporozoites, which amount up to 8 within a cyst, is crescent shaped. One question remains whether the bodies escape from the cyst by active motility or whether they are forced out passively as a result of the cyst collapsing (Remington 2011). P. jirovecii cannot be cultivated by standard methods. Instead, it is detected through other staining methods. “Because clinical and radiologic findings are not specific for PCP and because P jirovecii cannot be grown in vitro, histopathologic demonstration is necessary before a definitive diagnosis is established (Bennett, 2013).” Although some tests are not as effective or sensitive, there are still other histochemical stains such as the Diff-Quik, Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver (GMS), and Calcofluor white stains to view fungus in its three forms (Procop, 2004). Pneumocystis organisms are commonly found in the lungs of healthy individuals and are inhaled and spread throughout the resp... ... middle of paper ... ...rnal Article, Review DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2009.10.010 3) James Stringer, Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267-0524 USA; fax: 513-558-8474; 4) http://www.danmedbul.dk/DMB_2004/0304/0304-disputatser/DMB3677.pdf 5) http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/1015/p1699.html Website 1)http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/225976-overview#showall 2)http://www.antimicrobe.org/f11.asp - top 3) http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/pneumocystis/index.html 4) https://www.mdguidelines.com/pneumocystis-carinii-pneumonia 5) http://www.medicinenet.com/sulfamethoxazole_and_trimethoprim/article.htm Book 1)https://www.inkling.com/read/infectious-diseases-fetus-newborn-remington-7th/chapter-34/pneumocystis-jiroveci-formerly 2)http://hab.hrsa.gov/deliverhivaidscare/clinicalguide11/cg-625_pcp.html
Francisella tularensis is a bacteria that is commonly referred to as Rabbit Fever. This microorganism is often known as this because the bacteria resides in mammals such as rabbits, squirrels and mice (UPMC Center for Health Security, 2013). There are many different components to this bacteria that make it unique. The microorganism F. tularensis is one that has very unique characteristics that make it responsible for being the kind of bacteria that it is. It is a gram-negative bacteria that occurs in coccobacillus form. It is a non-motile bacteria that is commonly found in water, mud, and decaying animal carcasses. (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, 2013). Because of these characteristics, F. tularensis is able to live in these conditions for weeks (UPMC Center for Health Security, 2013). For all of these reasons, this microorganism can be potentially harmful to humans.
The population of bats in the United States is facing a serious threat of extinction due to the outbreak of a deadly fungus called Deomyces destructans. The fungus is nicknamed White-Nose Syndrome, after the white fungus that typically appears on the infected bats noses and wings. Other signs and symptoms of White Nose Syndrome include white fungus on the ears and tail, bats flying during the day in the middle of winter, bats clustered near the entrance to a hibernation or cave, and general abnormal behavior for a hibernating bat. Scientifically, the fungus has been identified as, Deomyces destructans. The fungus itself causes damage to connective tissues, muscles, and skin.
Proteus mirabilis is part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract. It can also be found free living in water and soil. When this organism, however, enters the urinary tract, wounds, or the lungs it can become pathogenic. Proteus mirabilis commonly causes urinary tract infections and the formation of stones.
The microbe Naegleria fowleri, commonly called the brain-eating-amoeba, was first identified from a fatal case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Australia in 1961. In 1965, three further cases of fatal PAM were found, from which clinical and laboratory investigations pointed to a relation with acute bacterial meningitis among the cases of an unknown etiology. According to Fowler & Carter (1965), when post-death examinations of the bodies were performed researchers found that “microscopically the meningeal exudate consisted of about equal proportions of neutrophil leukocytes and chronic inflammatory cells, amongst which small, often degenerate amoebae were sparsely distributed” (p.740). The species of the organism that caused the amoeboflagellate related disease was later named Naegleria fowleri after one of the primary authors of the report, M. Fowler. Butt reports that the first case of PAM in the United States occurred in Florida in 1962 and a further retrospective study reported by dos Santos Netos suggested that additional identified cases of PAM in Virginia may have dated as far back as 1937 (as cited in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013, Pathogen). As research on the microbe ensues, more cases of PAM are beginning to surface and the search for a cure to the fatal infection is imperative.
The fungus sclerotinia sclerotiorum over winters as sclerotia either in the soil or in stubble at the soil surface (Morton and Hall, 1989). If the weather (moisture and temperature) is favorable, small mushroom-like structures called apothecia will be produced on the sclerotia. Each sclerotia can several apothecia. Apothecia can produce millions of spores called ascospores. Ascospores will be released in air when the apothecia is mature. Some ascospores land on canola plants and infect dead canola tissues like fal...
Being a gram-negative bacterium, L. pneumophila has lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that act as endotoxin within a human host. The presence of a flagella is thought to mediate adherence to human lung cells, thereby causing infection, since flagella-less strains do not cause disease. Once attached to human cells, the organism is engulfed by a macrophage where is utilizes the internal environment to multiply.
This paper tells about different methods as to which parasites enter the body. Each parasite is unique as to what problems they cause or diseases they carry. Some of these parasites can prove fatal unless treated, and if they are not treated carefully, they could still complicate an individual’s health. This paper also includes the places these parasites thrive and as to how to treat these parasites. Although most of these parasites are treatable, the treatment required is completely dependent upon what stage the parasites have progressed to. Some parasites are accompanied by a disease and are therefore not the primary health risk of getting infected. Nevertheless, if left untreated all of these parasites can host the body for large periods of time, which can lead to prolonged illness. Most of these parasites are found in third world countries, but under the right conditions can be found in the United States of America.
Schulman, Joshua M., and David E. Fisher. "Abstract." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Aug. 0005. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Necrotizing Fasciitis (flesh eating bacteria ) from an essay by Katrina Tram Duong, edited by S.N. Carson M.D.
Encyclopaedia of Molecular Cell biology and molecular medicine, Robert Meyers, 2004, Wiley (page 221/426/385/416/237/ 2224/5321/5414/8869)
Sordaria fimicola belongs to the kingdom of fungi and is part of the phylum Ascosmycota. This fungus habitat is in the feces of herbivores. As many fungi Sordaria have one life cycles which is haploid/ diploid. It is commonly exits as a haploid organism, but when the mycelium from two individuals meets, the result is a diploid zygote. This diploid zygote which undergoes meiosis forms eight haploid ascospores . The ability of Sordaria to make 8 haploid ascospores is what makes it unique and important for the laboratory exercise done in lab.
Michener, William K. and Haeuber, Richard A., Bioscience. American Institute of Biological Science. Sep98. Vol. 48. Issue 9. p677.
Histoplasmosis is a type of fungus that lives in the environment, mainly in areas of birds or bats dropping in humid areas. It is not a series condition unless it spreads throughout the body. One can develop this by breathing in spores of fungus in areas with bird or bat droppings. It is usually transmitted through spores becoming airborne by demolition projects. This fungus grows mainly in central southeastern and mid- atlantic states. This fungus thrives in in damp soil and rich organic material. People can still get histoplasmosis again if they previously had it, but he illness would likely be more milder. The reproductive spores of this fungus are extremely light and can float into the air when dirt or any other contaminated material
Slightly different than Toxoplasmic gondii and bacterial meningitis is Pfiesteria. Pfiesteria is a heterotrophic dinoflagellate that produces a toxin when environmental conditions are ideal. It is most commonly associated with the phenomenon known as “Red Tide”. The red tide is an “algal bloom that appears red or brownish in colour” and is caused by “agricultural run-off or other nutrient-rich material produced mainly from human activities” (Christine
Campbell, N. A. & J. B. Reece, 8th eds. (2008). Biology. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.