Questions tagged [bacteria]

It is about the microbes of domain Bacteria that can act as both infectious agents and symbionts (e.g.commensals) in our body.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
0 votes
0 answers
20 views

What are the cases where one decide the presence of a specific organism in bacteriological clinical samples based on direct Gram stain?

Background information Direct microscopic examination (or Direct smear) typically refer to microscopic examination of a specimen before any culture or inoculation is performed. Question While ...
Freezing Soul's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
49 views

What is the priority list to determine in which order clinical bacterial samples should be processed for microbiological research purposes?

Background Sample processing is an essential step in clinical bacteriology that involves the proper handling and treatment of clinical samples before they can be subjected to further analysis and ...
Freezing Soul's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
38 views

Does direct microscopic examination help detect contamination during sample collection in clinical bacteriology?

Background information Direct microscopic examination (or Direct smear) typically refer to microscopic examination of a specimen before any culture or inoculation is performed. Question Can direct ...
Freezing Soul's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
41 views

What is the clinical significance of showing the antimicrobial resistance profile of isolates of a certain bacterial species?

These examples are results from the first three pages of this search in google: site:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ "antimicrobial resistance pattern" (Jan 1, 2018 – Today)(I ignored ...
Freezing Soul's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
34 views

Why is the number of Haemophilus spp isolates greater than the number of patients in this research?

"Whole genome sequencing-based classifcation of human-related Haemophilus species and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes": https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-022-01017-x (open access) . ...
Freezing Soul's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
784 views

Can you take moxifloxacin and doxycycline at the same time?

For antibiotic resistant bacteria that is handled by two rounds of antibiotics, why are the two prescribed sequentially rather than at the same time?
Uri's user avatar
  • 113
2 votes
1 answer
122 views

Can the species of bacteria infecting an open wound be identified through visual or olfactory inspection?

When an open wound is infected, is it possible to identify which bacteria is causing the infection through visual and olfactory inspection, for example by examining the pus coming out of the wound? An ...
Guillaume F.'s user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

What makes it hard to develop vaccines for Syphilis and Gonorrhea?

Hope my question is more specific than Why are some viruses harder to make vaccines for? Both Syphilis and Gonorrhea are caused by bacterial infection, rather than virus like HIV or COVID, which ...
No One's user avatar
  • 121
2 votes
1 answer
86 views

Why is sepsis more common with leukemia than with cancers involving physical tumors?

Does it have something to do with differences between leukemia versus other cancers, or differences between the treatments of leukemia versus other cancers? Quote from the source: People with cancers ...
A. Kvåle's user avatar
  • 135
1 vote
1 answer
107 views

Are many viruses actually good for us?... maybe even essential to our survival?

We know that a very large proportion of bacteria are essential to our good health. Every other day we see press release about the microbiome, and its multitude of health implications. Is there ...
Sympa's user avatar
  • 749
2 votes
0 answers
15 views

Can we become infected with a virus that reaches our body in a bacterium?

I read that bacteria can be infected by viruses. Are there viruses that affect both organisms (bacteria and humans)? Is it possible to get a virus from a bacterial infection (the bacteria is the ...
eniel.rod's user avatar
  • 201
0 votes
1 answer
47 views

Is there any infection that targets/found in specifically the nape of the neck?

Is there any infection(s) of the nape caused by a foreign body (bacterial, viral, fungal, etc)? I mean a foreign body infection found or originating primarily or solely in the nape. I know some ENT ...
Samid's user avatar
  • 109
2 votes
0 answers
54 views

How quickly does remineralization of teeth happen from brushing?

To the extent that toothpaste can remineralize tooth enamel, how quickly does it happen? Is it a as-soon-as-there's-contact occurrence? Is it after ~30-120 seconds of scrubbing? Is it 10+ minutes ...
Coldblackice's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
58 views

Does "gram negative" generally indicate highly antibiotics resistant bacteria strains?

I must admit that I am an absolute medical layman, trying to keep myself informed at best though. Today I had a consultation at my dermatologist about a bad healing wound I have, to talk about the ...
πάντα ῥεῖ's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
61 views

Why is dehumidifier water not fit to drink? [closed]

Looking at the instruction manual for a dehumidifier, I note that it says the condensed water is not fit for drinking and should be disposed of. Okay, but why? This is literally distilled water, ...
rwallace's user avatar
  • 131
1 vote
0 answers
20 views

Why do we have vaccines against some diseases and not the others? [closed]

There's a vaccine against pneumococcus (common cause of pneumonia) but there's no vaccine against treponema pallidum (cause of syphilis). Both are bacteria (although different kinds of bacteria). What'...
sharptooth's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
32 views

Tick bite treatment. Doxycycline intake suspended after 3 days only. If substituted by Bactrim, is there a risk to develop bacteria resistant?

A patient was bitten by a tick and carried the tick on his skin for 5/6 days (which got engorged at the end). Then the tick dropped spontaneously. He has been prescribed a preventive antibiotic course ...
NikoEraser's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
23 views

Have any novel virus or bacteria ever been created by man in the laboratory that we know of?

This question may be off topic for medicine. Let us not consider COVID19. Are there any known man made viruse or bacteria ever created or modified by man that we know of? Bio weapons labs weaponize ...
Sedumjoy's user avatar
  • 297
1 vote
0 answers
53 views

Does the stool test for Helicobacter pylori show only acute infections?

There are four options when being tested for Helicobacter pylori - blood test, stool test, breath test and scope test. (Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection) Scope test is definitely the most ...
Hinko Pih Pih's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
495 views

Best way to clean dry fruits and nuts before eating

Recently I got acute Diarrhoea, which I suspect to be due ton a new packet of dates which I purchased recently (1st time I'm using this). I have dry fruits and nuts regularly, however I haven't ...
user600016's user avatar
-4 votes
2 answers
84 views

What is the justification for bacterial vaccines for which the body has natural immunity?

What is the purpose of using vaccines against commonly found bacteria? Since the human immune system develops at birth and shortly thereafter (via colostrum) natural defenses against common bacteria, ...
Tyler Durden's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
52 views

For best hygiene, should we use hard block/bar soap or bottled soft soap?

The accepted answer in When is hand sanitizer appropriate/sufficient in place of warm water and soap? mentions that you should avoid bar soap yet the link provided no longer says this. I have heard ...
Chris Rogers's user avatar
  • 6,164
3 votes
1 answer
51 views

Use of antibiotics with chest infections

I would like to have a confusing part of medicine cleared up. My experience of medical intervention is as follows. As pointed out in the answer to Does taking antibiotics make you immune to virus? ...
Chris Rogers's user avatar
  • 6,164
1 vote
0 answers
30 views

Is it possible that inhaling copper vapor, in some form, can help in treating a bacterial or viral infection of the lung? [closed]

There are many studies showing the antimicrobial properties of copper. Based on these properties, is it possible that inhaling copper vapor, in some form, can help in treating a bacterial or viral ...
Erel Segal-Halevi's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
149 views

Why does a dental abscess / infection usually go away after a root canal?

After an abscess is diagnosed and a root canal treatment is done on a tooth, why does the infection go away? It seems all the root canal treatment does is remove the total volume of space for the ...
Chris Stryczynski's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
41 views

Why are bacteriophage viruses so infrequently used in the western countries?

Bacteriophages are, in eastern countries including Russia, a pretty common, or at least well known, approach to get rid of bacterial infections. (This is discussed in How Dangerous Are Superbugs ...
Volker Siegel's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
173 views

Can intestinal bacterial overgrowth result in hypophosphatemia?

This article shows that there is variability in the degree that bacteria bind to phosphate in the gut. Is it possible that intestinal bacterial overgrowth results in hypophosphatemia?
Mikkel Rev's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
203 views

Difference between BHI biphasic and Castaneda culture media in diagnosis of infective endocarditis

So I am currently studying Hematology/CVS and there is some vital microbiology attached to this. I am studying infective endocarditis and one of the Duke's Criteria involves a Lab Diagnosis which ...
abacus143's user avatar
  • 453
-1 votes
1 answer
33 views

Can a runny nose "Shoot Blanks"?

Every time i have a runny nose I'm comforting myself by thinking "It's ok, the body is getting rid of pathogens now" But is that really the case ? does every 'drop' of nasal mucus contain pathogens ?
soundslikefiziks's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
75 views

The likelihood of contracting a disease from flies?

Given a housefly has landed on your food, and that you then consume it, what is the likelihood of contracting some malady directly attributable to the fly? I'm aware that flies can carry diseases ...
user208769's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
75 views

When taking antibiotics, does every single germ have to die?

When I get sick and need to take antibiotics, I get admonished to carry the treatment until the end, otherwise I am breeding antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Does this mean that when I finish the ...
Martin Drozdik's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
22 views

Klebsiella pneumoniae and corticosteroids

Does anyone know why taking corticosteroids is a risk factor of a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection? Also, is it normal to find Klebsiella pneumoniae in the throat area or upper respiratory tract? I'd ...
Apollyon's user avatar
  • 121
0 votes
1 answer
45 views

Is it possible to immunize against bacteria?

In anticipation of going to a region with known prevalence of flesh eating bacteria, can an individual take antibiotics prior to going to prevent it from being contracted? https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/...
Muze's user avatar
  • 1
3 votes
1 answer
64 views

Has a guideline been set for the optimal pH level in the mouth?

My thought is that improper pH might might be a factor in bacterial growth and tooth decay. Supporting the idea is this research summary that implicates low pH (high acidity) to Fluorosis. Notes: ...
Ruminator's user avatar
  • 601
3 votes
1 answer
84 views

Nasal congestion or fever as a mechanism to combat infection

As far as I know, nasal congestion and fever are generally regarded as symptoms of many illnesses (e.g. flu), not as mechanisms that the body uses to fight an infection. Nonetheless, a lot of people ...
bremen_matt's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Bacterial growth inhibitors used in Deodorants

I'd like to understand what common ingredients in deodorants contribute to the inhibiting growth of odour creating bacteria. I'm only looking for a handful of the most obvious chemicals, but I'd like ...
Jodes's user avatar
  • 333
2 votes
0 answers
28 views

Streptococcus pyogenes mutation and recurrence

Does the bacteria that cause strep throat also mutates, just like the virus that cause flu? In the same season, is it possible for a person to be infected multiple times (concurrently or not) by the ...
igorjrr's user avatar
  • 121
1 vote
1 answer
67 views

What are "cryptic bacteria"?

I came across the term "cryptic bacteria" a few times in the context of biochemistry (Google search), but I couldn't find a definition. What does "cryptic" mean in that context?
bluenote10's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
84 views

Can adults get new gut bacteria from external exposure?

I am not a student nor professional in medicine or physiology. I understand that newborns get their gut bacteria during childbirth from the contact with the mother (I am going to assume this happens ...
Nicola Sap's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
66 views

Do humidifiers help cure the flu?

According to this report, absolute humidity affects transmission and survival of the influenza virus with 90% accuracy. Lower humidity at winter promotes both the influenza virus transmission and its ...
S.O.S's user avatar
  • 141
1 vote
1 answer
476 views

Why people wash their hands before dinner even if they eat with utensils and not hands?

Many health professionals advocate washing hand before dinner. But is it necessary if we do not use our hands to directly touch the food we are going to ingest? Can bacteria move from our hands along ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
654 views

I poured out a bulging milk carton - am I in danger?

I was cleaning out my fridge and came across a milk carton (2%) that was bulging. I opened the cap and it released gas, and a horrible smell. I poured it down the drain and ventilated my apartment. ...
eezers's user avatar
  • 19
3 votes
1 answer
65 views

Bacteria location in food poisoning?

Where is the majority of bacteria located in food that leads to food poisoning? I.E in most cases is it on the surface, or deep within the food (i.e in the case of "cooked" meat, or balanced?
George Arvanitis's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
478 views

How much body fluid required to actually transmit a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

While reading about sexually transmitted disease, I always wonder how much body fluid is actually required to transmit some diseases, specially in the case of other kinds of sex (masturbation, hand ...
Mr L's user avatar
  • 101
1 vote
1 answer
816 views

Did I catch a cold from eating unwashed fruit?

Recently I caught a cold in presumably an amazingly short period of time (~6h). From prior infections I had the experience to have 24 to 48 hours "left" being a bit ill, before being forced to stay in ...
Jonas's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
29 views

Is targeted antimicrobial peptide mouthwash currently available anywhere (including experimentally)?

For reference: http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-scientists-explain-mechanism-that-makes-their-mouthwash-so-effective-against-tooth-decay Antimicrobial peptides as mouthwash were first invented ...
user1258361's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
269 views

How to sterilize the human intestine using a safe method?

I want to know how can one sterilize their intestine (both small/large) and what are the consequences.
Themobisback's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
131 views

Does stopping fever hinder the process of killing bacteria via fever?

Since the body produces fever in order to kill bacteria, wouldn't decreasing the fever by taking anti fever medication decrease the body's ability to fight the bacteria? Assuming you have non life ...
user1721135's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
113 views

Would showering with germicidal water be beneficial or harmful?

Suppose a device was able to make water remove 99.99 % of bacteria on the incident surface (assuming that the water is germicidal by itself, whatever the reason – e.g. by means of an additive which ...
Skippy le Grand Gourou's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
49 views

Can you get infections by washing your body with someone else's water?

I was in a debate with someone about some religious topics. And one of them was a religious treatment ritual that included taking someone else's saliva and throwing water on his back then mixing both (...
Ahmedn1's user avatar
  • 103