MIP 300 Lecture Notes - Mycolic Acid, Antimicrobial Resistance, Biofilm
Document Summary
Capsule well organized layer of polysaccharides (sugars), not easily removed. Slime layer less well organized layer of polysaccharide, easily removed. Protected by and attached by layers of polysaccharide. Man with pacemaker developed fever, elevated white blood cells. Infection a few months later antibiotics cured. In biofilm, genes to form polysaccharide layer and antibiotic resistance genes on, flagella genes off. After leaving, polysaccharide genes turned off, antibiotic resistance off, flagella genes on. When on antibiotics, free bacteria are killed off. Quorem sensing bacteria communicating, which genes to turn on/off. S-layer a layer of proteins, or glycoproteins, outside cell wall. Protects against changes in ph, osmotic pressure, anti-bacterial enzymes. Aids in virulence (combination of pathogenity and how much it spreads) Mycolic acid layer waxy outer layer in mycobacterium. Stains poorly with gram stain, acid fast stain + Leprosy causes neurological damage in fingertips, toes, nose, ears, cheeks &c. (colder parts of the body), no peripheral feeling.