What is gram-positive bacteria?

Bacteria appear everywhere, around our lives. Bacteria can benefit humans, but most bacteria are harmful.

1. What is gram-positive bacteria?

To know what gram-positive bacteria are, we need to understand the gram dyeing method. This is the traditional method used to quickly categorical bacteria according to the cell wall structure of bacteria into two groups, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

This method uses a crystal purple dye to dye bacteria, then uses a decoloring solution, if the bacteria that retain the color of the dye is a positive result, it is gram-positive bacteria, and if the bacteria do not retain the dye color, it will be a negative result, which is gram-negative bacteria.

In the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria with a thick layer of peptidoglycans, this layer retains the stain after the color has been washed in the rest of the sample during the decolorization phase of the method. Therefore, when observed through a microscope, we will see that gram-positive bacteria are purple.

In contrast, gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer of peptidoglycan and clamp between the inner cell membrane and the outer membrane of the bacteria, so in the alcohol decolorization step, the outer membrane of gram-negative bacterial cells will decompose, making the cell wall more porous so that it is not able to retain the crystal purple color. When observed through a microscope we will see that they are red or pink.

2. Features of gram-positive bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria will include some of the following outstanding features:

  • The cell is surrounded by lipid membranes.
  • There is a thick layer of peptidoglycans.
  • In bacteria with teichoic acid and lipoids, which form lipoteichoic acids, this is the chelate factor and also necessary for the adhesion of certain types.
  • The cross-linked peptidoglycan chain creates a solid cell wall, which is achieved thanks to the bacterial enzyme DD-transpeptidase.
  • Gram-positive bacteria have a cyclic cavity that is several times smaller than gram-negative bacteria.

Some gram-positive bacteria have mucous membranes, which usually contain polysaccharides. And there are also only some species with whips or capillaries.

3. What diseases does gram-positive bacteria cause?

Common types of gram-positive bacteria include:

  • Gram-positive pterium:
  • Staphylococcus aereus is a gram-positive bacterium that can cause diseases such as skin infections, pneumonia, endoratitis, infectious arthritis, osteomyelitis and anesthesia. It can also cause toxins shock syndrome and skin burn syndrome.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive bacterium that often causes otitis, pneumonia, sinusitis and meningitis.
  • Streptococcus viridans include Strep. mutans often cause cavities and Strep. sanguinis causes acute endoratitis.
  • Streptococcus pyogenes can cause purulent infections such as pharyngitis, cellulitis, impetigo; or cause toxins such as necrotizing vasitis; and causes immune infections such as enteritis.
  • Enterococci are found mainly in the colon that can cause bile tract infections and urinary tract infections.
  • Gram-positive bacterium:
  • Bacillus anthracis (anthracis) is a gram-positive bacillus that produces anthracnt toxins that cause ulcers with a black starch.
  • Bacillus cereus is a gram-positive bacterium that can survive being cooked or re-cooked, they cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and non-bleeding diarrhea.
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria) is a gram-positive bacterium that can cause pharyngitis, myocarditis and arrhythmias.
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium that can cause newborn meningitis, meningitis in immuno-impaired patients, gastroenteritis and blood infections.

Myocarditis

Gram-positive bacteria can cause myocarditis

4. Are gram-positive bacteria dangerous?

Gram-negative bacterial diseases are often more dangerous than gram-positive bacterial diseases. This is because the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria is wrapped by a cyst, and this cyst covers the antigens making it harder for the body's immune system to detect their encroachment.

In addition, the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria containing lipopolysaccharides acts as an endoxins that increase the weight of the inflammatory response, which can cause very dangerous septic shock.

Gram-positive bacteria are usually less dangerous because our body does not have peptidoglycans so it is easier to recognize their penetration. At the same time our body is capable of producing lysozyme to attack the peptidoglycan layer located on the outside of gram-positive bacteria.

Although gram-positive bacteria are generally less dangerous than gram-negative bacteria, there are still gram-positive bacteria that cause serious conditions such as endocarditis, meningitis, sepsis,… these are extremely dangerous diseases, which if not detected and treated in a timely manner can lead to death.

According to the SCOPE project , the Critical Epidemiological Pathogen Monitoring and Control project shows that gram-positive bacteria accounted for 62% of the causes of blood infections in 1995 and up to 76% in 2000. At the same time gram-positive bacteria have very high growth and resistance, which makes treatment more and more difficult.

The dosing after gram-positive bacterial infection is different. The highest mortality rate is in the elderly and tends to inhibit the immune system.

However, in our body there are also bacteria, microbials that are born in the upper respiratory tract, intestinal tract, female vagina, they have a useful effect on us.

Share99 International Health Hub is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern technology equipment system but also stands out for comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services; civilized, polite, safe and sterilized medical examination and treatment space. Customers who choose to perform tests here can be assured of the accuracy of the test results.

Customers can directly go to Share99 Health System nationwide for examination or contact the hotline here for assistance.

Article reference source: NCBI, Webmd.com

SEE MORE:

  • Common immuno-deterioration diseases
  • What are cannibal bacteria?
  • Blood cultures for bacteria in blood glucose infections

SEE MORE:

  • Antibiotics and bacteria: What to know
  • Determination of the type of bacteria by gram staining method
  • The importance of testing for bacterial endoc toxins

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

RELATED POSTS:

Leave a Comment

0 SHARES
Share
Tweet
Pin