Identification of bacteria growing in culture media

Posted by Doctor of Laboratory - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

The identification test should only be performed when the bacteria are grown individually in clusters or in homogenous cultures. Single or homogenous clumps are plates containing only one type of bacteria and arising from a single cell. Aseptic technique must be used in inoculating and maintaining a pure culture of bacteria.

Bacteria are identified based on simple chemical reaction and characterization. Preliminary identification of many medically important bacteria can be based on a few simple characteristics of the bacteria:
Gram reaction. Cell morphology, e.g. Spherical or rod and bacterial arrangement (Pairs or chains) The ability to grow under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Growth requirements: Easy or difficult to grow. Further identification is based on chemical reaction properties such as:
The ability to produce enzymes can be detected by simple tests, e.g. coagulase, catalase, oxidase, lecithinase. Possibility from oxidizing sugar metabolism or fermentation (eg Hugh and Liefson oxidation test/fermentation). The ability to use glucose, lactose, and sucrose for growth This test can be done alone, for example sugary liquid media or commercially available kits that allow testing to a different extent. can be updated on each bacteria at the same time.

Several species have been isolated primarily on the basis of their antigens reacting with cell suspensions with specific antiserum. The key to testing for medically important species has been outlined in the table of contents.

The antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria can often be tested by placing an antibiotic plate impregnated with the appropriate concentration of antibiotic. Incubated overnight, bacteria grow and multiply; The antibiotic diffuses from the disc to the surrounding and inhibits growth around the disc. Because after culturing the bacteria from the specimen overnight incubation is required before the results of antibiotic susceptibility are returned.

Fungi are identified from homogenous colonies or cultures based primarily on the properties of the colonies such as the color and shape of individual cells observed under the microscope. Substrate anabolic assays) can be used for detailed identification of medically important yeasts. The growth of fungi is generally slower than that of bacteria and final identification can take up to 2 weeks.

Many protozoa and parasites can be identified by direct observation of the specimen without the need for culture and thus results can be obtained within a day. The protozoa is identified on the basis of its morphological basis, different stages of the life cycle can be observed in different specimens from the same patient and different stages of the disease.
Helminths are recognized by the gross appearance of larvae such as Ascaris or Enterobius or by microscopic examination of specimens such as feces and urine.

Viruses can be recognized by cytopathological action in the cultured cells and their morphology prepares for electron microscopy, but diagnosis is more often made by antigen to detect the virus or by test for the presence of specific antibodies in the patient's serum.