The Gram-positive bacteria are strains which retain a violet color upon Gram staining. The following article will help you obtain useful information about the important types of these bacteria.
The bacteria that are Gram-positive contain peptidoglycan and techoic acids in their cell walls. These bacteria retain a crystal violet color upon staining. Bacilli and cocci are important forms of Gram-positive bacteria. Some of the examples of Gram-positive cocci are Micrococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Amongst rod-shaped (bacilli), Listeria spp. and C. tetanomorphum are the important ones.
Characteristics of Gram Positive Bacteria
These bacteria are encapsulated by a bilipid layer. The outer membrane of the Gram-negative bacteria is absent in the Gram-positive ones. Some of the species of these bacteria possess flagella for locomotion. The examples of Gram-positive bacteria and their description are presented below.
Streptococcus Spp
This bacteria belongs to the phylum, Firmicutes. Division of cells in Streptococcus takes place along a single axis, unlike the other Gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus), in which division takes place along multiple axes. The Streptococci are pathogenic bacteria responsible for diseases like bacterial pneumonia, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis, erysipelas, endocarditis, etc.
The Streptococcus pyogenes causes diseases like rheumatic fever and strep throat. There are however, bacteria from this genus that share the commensalism relationship with human beings. Such bacteria are commonly found in the skin, mouth, upper respiratory tract, and the intestine. Few of the helpful bacteria are also used in the production of cheese, buttermilk and yogurt.
Classification of Streptococcus bacteria is made on the basis of their specific hemolytic properties. With respect to this classification, the Streptococci are alpha hemolytic, beta hemolytic, and gamma hemolytic. In alpha hemolysis, the iron present in the hemoglobin is oxidized. Red blood cells get ruptured in the process of beta hemolysis. The name, gamma hemolytic is actually a misnomer because the hemolytic process, in case of these bacteria doesn’t occur at all.
Staphylococcus Spp
The bacteria which come under genus, Staphylococcus are found in grape-like clusters. Most of the species of Staphycoccus are non-pathogenic. There are around 40 species of this bacteria. One of the important characteristics of Staphylococcus bacteria is that it can grow both aerobically and anaerobically. They are also capable of producing coagulase. This enzyme is responsible for clotting of blood.
Micrococcus Spp
It is a bacterium with spherical shape and its size ranges from 0.5 to 3 micrometers. The Micrococcus bacteria are found in aquatic environment, soil, dairy products, and human skin. This bacteria exhibits many different behavioral traits; it acts as a saprophyte, opportunistic pathogen and also thrives as a commensal organism. The diseases caused by different species of Micrococcus are meningitis, endocarditis, septic shock, cavitating pneumonia, septic arthritis, and bacteremia.
Listeria Spp
This Gram-positive bacteria is known for the disease called listerosis. The commonly observed bacterial species of this genus is Listeria monocytogenes. It is found in environments like soil, food, plants, stream water, etc. The bacteria that are grouped under genus, Listeria, make use of an intercellular mechanism to cause infection. These bacteria however, rarely cause an infection in human beings, as they are negotiated by the immune system. Infection caused by this bacteria is treated with the following antibiotics: ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, azithromycin and linezolid.
Lactobacilli
This bacteria is known for the production of lactic acid. The lactobacilli occurs in nature in the form of chains. Some of the Lactobacilli species find application in the preparation of buttermilk, yogurt, etc.
Corynebacteria
These bacteria are pleomorphic in nature. It means the Corynebacteria change their form throughout their lifecycle. One of the bacterium from this genus, the Corynebacterium diphtheriae, causes the disease of human diphtheria.
Arthrobacter
The Arthrobacter is a bacterium than can be classified under both bacilli and cocci. This is because Arthrobacter changes shapes many times during its lifecycle. It is mainly found in the soil.
Some of the bacteria described above are pathogenic, while others are beneficial for mankind. The list of Gram-positive bacteria and information about their characteristic features should provide some insight into the world of these microbes.