CULTURE OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF)

AIM: To isolate organism from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen as an aid in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal meningitis and other microbial infection of the CSF. MATERIAL/APPARATUS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen, blood agar (BA), chocolate agar (CA), Bunsen burner, inoculating loop, incubator, anaerobic jar, MacConkey agar (MCA). NOTE: The CSF specimen should be collected only by […]

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Microbe Lab, Techniques in Microbiology Lab, ,

MICROSCOPY OF SPUTUM SPECIMEN

AIM: To detect the presence of pus cells and predominant bacteria in sputum specimens as an aid in the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchopneumonia. MATERIAL/APPARATUS: Sputum specimen, glass slide, microscope, immersion oil, inoculating loop, Bunsen burner, piece of stick. METHOD/PROCEDURE FOR SPUTUM SAMPLE MICROSCOPY REPORTING OF THE RESULT: Describe and

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Techniques in Microbiology Lab, Microbe Lab, , ,

LICHENS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Lichen is simply a symbiotic association of slow-growing microorganisms that is composed mainly of a fungus and cyanobacteria or green algae. They are a composition of twin or double organisms, and are very rich in chemical compounds as expressed by the varying colours that they produce on the surfaces where they form. Lichens grow on

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Mycology, ,

TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Fungal infection is treated using antifungal drugs. Some of the drugs used for the treatment of mycoses in humans include: PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS The prevention and control of mycoses is largely dependent on avoiding exposure to fungal spores or conidia and limiting contact with natural reservoirs of most fungal organisms. An intact

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Mycology, , , ,

BACTERIAL FLAGELLATION

Flagella (singular: flagellum) are the organelles of locomotion or movement in prokaryotic cells. Microbial motility is a key feature for motile bacteria, and this characteristic allows organisms to move from one location to another in search of food or away from potential attacks in their normal habitat. Flagella are thread-like slender-looking and rigid structures that

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Microbial Physiology & Metabolism,

APPLICATIONS OF MUTAGENESIS

  Recombinant DNA technology and the use of synthetic DNA molecules make it possible for molecular biology scientists to induce specific mutations in specific genes. In vitro mutagenesis is used to purposefully change genetic information. The analysis of the subsequent changes in gene expression and gene products helps elucidate the functional effect of the mutation.

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Biotechnology, Molecular Microbiology, , , ,

MUTAGENS

Mutagens are biological, physical or chemical agents that change the genetic materials (inclusive of DNA and RNA molecules) of an organism and thus increase the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. They are substances that change the genetic information of an organism, usually by changing DNA. Mutagens interact with nucleic acid molecules particularly

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Biotechnology, Molecular Microbiology,

MICROBIAL ENUMERATION OF FOOD PRODUCTS

Food meant for human or animal consumption should be certified safe and hygienically acceptable after production; and it is critical that food and food products undergo some series of microbiological tests including toxicological tests which test for the presence of microbial toxins in food or food products. Contaminated food and food products could serve as

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Food Microbiology

POTENTIALS OF MICROBES IN FOOD PRODUCTION

Microorganisms inclusive of bacteria and fungi play tremendous roles in sustainable agriculture. And these organisms used for food production including bacteria and fungi have been found to improve the health status of the consumers. Due to the prevailing shortage of food or food scarcity in some parts of the world; microbes are currently being applied

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Food Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology,