Assignment

Consider the following scenario:

You are given a sputum sample from a patient that may be infected with bacteria from one of the following genera:

1. Bacillus
2. Escherichia
3. Mycobacteria

• 1.Describe the handing of the specimen and how the infectious agent, in this case a bacterial pathogen, is isolated from the sputum sample.
• Explain techniques used to isolate bacteria from a clinical specimen using the LearnSmart laboratory exercise, “Isolation Methods” as well as Chapter 7 to support your account.
• 2. Discuss how staining techniques may be applied in the identification of an unknown sample.
• 3. Discuss each staining protocol. Mention the steps involved and how each step and each protocol would identify or eliminate each of these genera as a suspect. You may refer to other scientific resources, but they should be in addition to and not in place of the module resources.
• 4. Describe the important anatomical differences among these three genera and the staining protocols you would use to identify which genus is causing the patient’s infection.

Your essay should be approximately 2 pages in length, double-spaced in 10-12 point font. Please be sure to cite all sources of information, including the text book, in the essay text and on a reference page using APA format.