Gram Negative Bacilli Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Gram Negative Bacilli?

Gram negative bacilli are a type of bacteria that can be found in various environments and are responsible for many infections. They are gram-negative, meaning they do not retain the crystal violet dye used in the Gram staining method. Gram-negative bacilli have been linked to numerous diseases, such as cholera, typhoid fever, salmonellosis, and E. coli infections. These bacteria possess several characteristics which make them particularly dangerous pathogens. For instance, they often have multiple layers of protective membranes that can make it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate and kill them; they also contain endotoxins on their outer membrane which can cause a wide range of symptoms including sepsis and shock; they may also possess virulence factors such as toxins and enzymes which can further damage tissue or interfere with the immune system’s ability to fight off infection. The most common gram negative bacilli are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella spp., though there are many other species as well including Shigella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Vibrio cholerae, Francisella tularensis among others. In terms of treatment options for these bacterial infections antibiotics may be prescribed depending on the species involved; however due to their multiple layers of protection some strains may be resistant or completely unaffected by certain types of drugs so alternate medications may need to be considered if traditional treatments fail or are not effective enough against this type of bacteria.