BACTERIA ON PREPARED SLIDES

©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.,
Professor of Biology and Chemistry
University of Cincinnati Clermont College,
Batavia OH 45103.
Neisseria
gonorrhoeae
This page has been accessed Counter times since 6 August 2001.
14 July '97, 6 Aug 01
 Clostridium
botulinum

FEATURES OF BACTERIAL ANATOMY, SELECTED SPECIES.
 
 

Flagella
slide 5 Proteus vulgaris Ba 156   (~2000x)
A special stain (pararosaniline) has been used to build up the flagella so that they can be seen on this peritrichous bacillus.
Atlernative image 1, image 2, image 3.
Capsules
slide 6 Unspecified species Ba 016a   (~1000x)
This slide has been negatively stained (with congo red or eosin?) to show the presence of the mucopolysaccharide "slime" capsule.
Mycobacteria
slide 4 Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sputum 90 W 2054   (~1000x)
This acid fast stained slide shows the pleomorphic shapes of the etiological agent of tuberculosis. Note that acid-fast stains M. tuberculosis red, and methylene blue is the counterstain.
Alternate images:  M. tuberculosis 1, M. tuberculosis 2, M. tuberculosis 3
Neisseria
slide 7 Neisseria gonorrhoeae Ba 133   (~1000x)
This is a Gram stained smear of a purulent urethral discharge. Large numbers of polymorphonucleocytes are present with a few squamous cells. In the cytoplasm of the PMNs can be seen phagocytosed Gm- diplococci which are indicative of gonorrheal infection. Alternate image of N. g.

SPORE FORMING BACTERIA

slide 17 Clostridium tetani, Ba 60   (~2000x)
Note that the cells with spores look like lollypops in this etiological agent of tetanus.  It secretes a protienaceous exotoxin which prevents the re-uptake of acetylk choline at the neuromuscular junction, leading to paralysis by clonic musclular contraction, a condition known as tetanus.
slide 16 Clostridium botulinum, Ba 45  (~2000x)
These cells bearing spores are only slightly enlarged at the spore containing end in this etiological agent of botulism, caused by a protienaceous exotoxin which interferes with nerve to muscle communication, leading to flacid paralysis.  Alternate image of C. botulinum.
slide 15 Bacillus subtilis 90 W 0533  (~1000x)
Members of the genus Bacillus are Gram positive endospore-forming rods.  Species of Bacillus are ubiquitous in soil, and most, including B. subtilis, are non-pathogenic. B. subtilis has been a workhorse in Micro labs for more than a century.  Bacitracin and polymyxin were isolated from members of this genus.  Here is alternative image of B. subtilis. 
An infamous member of the genus is B. anthracis, causing anthrax.