gram-positive vs gram-negative
Definitions
adjective
- (of bacteria) being or relating to a bacterium that retains the violet stain used in Gram's method
Examples
Rhococcus equi, a gram-positive bacterium, is a facultative intracellular coccobacillus that causes bronchopneumonia in foals aged 1 to 6 months.
I am not a microbiologist, but my responsibilities at work often require that I understand the difference between a cocci and a rod, Gram-negative and a Gram-positive, and which organisms are "objectionable".
If antibiotics are required, one that is active against gram-positive organisms such as penicillinase-resistant penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, or fluoroquinolones should be chosen.
Definitions
adjective
- (of bacteria) being of or relating to a bacterium that does not retain the violet stain used in Gram's method
Examples
The gram-negative bugs that pose the biggest threat include acinetobacter baumannii enterobacter aerogenes, and pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can attack through wounds, surgical incisions, central lines, respirators and catheters.
Infectious-disease experts say the most worrisome of the gram-negative bacteria may be acinetobacter, which is commonly found in soil and water, and may be carried by up to 40% of people on their skin.
Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach in about 50% of all humans.
