MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY
Characteristics of the Type of Microorganism or
Microorganisms
Colour or Morphology
Staining
Reaction
(Gram Positive
or Negative)
Red or Pink Male- 1.2 mm long by
60μm in diameter
Female- twice as long and
90μm in diameter
Purple (Gram S. aureus cells are Gram-
Positive) positive and appear in
spherical shape. They are
often in clusters
resembling bunches of
grapes when observed
under light microscope
after Gram staining. The
diameter of the cells
ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 μM.
With the presence of these microbes, what is
Species its implication to nursing practice or health
care environment?
Arrangement if Name of the Disease it may Nursing care implication or
Specimen is a specimen or cause consideration with rationalization
bacteria species
N/A Trichinella Trichinosis Trichinellosis is caused by consuming
Spiralis Encysted raw or undercooked meat of infected
Larvae animals. Patients should receive
education about the risk of
transmission when consuming
undercooked or raw meat. Prompt
treatment with antiparasitic drugs can
help prevent the progression of
trichinellosis by killing the adult
worms and so preventing further
release of larvae.
Cocci Staphylococcus ● Abscesses Staphylococcus aureus is present in
Aureus ● Osteomyelitis the nose (usually temporarily) of
about 30% of healthy adults and on
the skin of about 20%.The bacteria
can spread from person to person by
direct contact, through contaminated
objects (such as gym equipment,
telephones, door knobs, television
remote controls, or elevator buttons),
or, less often, by inhalation of infected
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Red The adult Taenia solium
has a head (scolex) that
consists of four suckers
and a rostellum with a
double crown of hooks,
and unsegmented narrow
neck, and a large body
formed by several hundred
proglottids. The entire
body is called a strobila
and may range in size from
two to eight meters long
droplets dispersed by sneezing or
coughing.People can help prevent the
spread of these bacteria by always
thoroughly washing their hands with
soap and water or applying an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Some
doctors recommend applying the
antibiotic mupirocin inside the nostrils
to eliminate staphylococci from the
nose. However, because overusing
mupirocin can lead to mupirocin
resistance, this antibiotic is used only
when people are likely to get an
infection. For example, it is given to
people before certain operations or to
people who live in a household in
which the skin infection is spreading.
N/A Taenia Solium ● Cysticercosis A person gets cysticercosis by
Scolex ● Taeniasis swallowing eggs found in the feces of
a person who has an intestinal
tapeworm. People living in the same
household with someone who has a
tapeworm have a much higher risk of
getting cysticercosis than people who
don’t. People do not get cysticercosis
by eating undercooked pork. Eating
undercooked pork can result in
intestinal tapeworm if the pork
contains larval cysts. Pigs become
infected by eating tapeworm eggs in
the feces of a human infected with a
tapeworm.Diagnosis of Taenia
tapeworm infections is made by
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examination of stool samples;

individuals should also be asked if
they have passed tapeworm
segments.One way to prevent
taeniasis is to cook meat to safe
temperatures. A food thermometer
should be used to measure the internal
temperature of cooked meat. Do not
sample meat until it is
cooked.Treatment is available after
accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will
provide prescription medication,
either praziquantel or niclosamide,
which is taken by mouth.

Red ● Ellipsoidal in N/A Diphyllobotrium Diphyllobothriasis Diphyllobothriasis is infection with

shape Latum w.m. the intestinal tapeworm,
● 4-15 meters in gravid segment Diphyllobothrium latum, a parasite of
length and 10-20 freshwater fish. Infection is usually
millimeters in asymptomatic, but mild GI symptoms
width (eg, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea,
● The scolex of weight loss) may be noted. Fish
D.latum is spoon- tapeworms take up dietary vitamin
shaped with a pair B12, occasionally resulting in vitamin
of grooves or B12 deficiency and megaloblastic
bothria in the anemia. Rarely, heavy infection leads
anterior portion, to intestinal obstruction or gallbladder
which it uses as an disease due to migration of
organ of proglottids.Treatment is with
attachment. praziquantel.

Brown The average length of the N/A Pediculus Pediculosis is an infestation of the
head louse is 1-2 mm. Humanus Capitis hairy parts of the body or clothing
Female head lice are Pediculosis with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice.
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generally larger than The crawling stages of this insect feed

males. The louse is on human blood, which can result in
wingless and white to gray severe itching. Usually, the first
and has a long, indication of an infestation is the
dorsoventrally flattened, itching or scratching in the area of the
segmented abdomen. It body where the lice feed. Scratching
has 3 pairs of clawed legs. at the back of the head or around the
Its average life span is 30 ears should lead to an examination for
days. head lice eggs (nits) on the hair.
Itching around the genital area should
lead to an examination for crab lice or
their eggs. Scratching can be
sufficiently intense to result in
secondary bacterial infection in these
areas. Medicated shampoos or cream
rinses containing pyrethrins or
permethrin are preferred for treating
people with head lice. Physical
contact with infected individuals and
their belongings, especially clothing,
headgear and bedding, should be
avoided. Health education on the life
history of lice, proper treatment and
the importance of laundering clothing
and bedding in hot water or dry
cleaning to destroy lice and eggs is
extremely valuable. In addition,
regular direct inspection of children
for head lice, and when indicated, of
body and clothing, particularly of
children in schools, institutions,
nursing homes and summer camps, is
important.

Brown Adult Aedes mosquitoes N/A Aedes ● Dengue Fever The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the
 MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY
are distinguished from
other types of mosquitoes
by their narrow and
typically black body,
unique patterns of light
and dark scales on the
abdomen and thorax, and
alternating light and dark
bands on the legs. Females
are further distinguished
by the shape of the
abdomen, which usually
comes to a point at its tip,
and by their maxillary
palps (sensory structures
associated with the
mouthparts), which are
shorter than the proboscis.
Aedes mosquitoes
characteristically hold
their bodies low and
parallel to the ground with
the proboscis angled
downward when landed.
Blue or Violet These worms form three
developmental stages:
eggs, larvae and adults.
The eggs are elongate-oval
in shape, measure 50-
60µm in length by 20-
30µm in width, and are
characteristically
asymmetric about the long
axis being distinctly
flattened on one side.
● Yellow fever main vector that transmits the viruses
● Zika virus that cause dengue. The viruses are
● Chikungunya passed on to humans through the bite
of an infective female Aedes
mosquito, which mainly acquires the
virus while feeding on the blood of an
infected person. Mild symptoms of
dengue can be confused with other
illnesses that cause fever, aches and
pains, or a rash.There is no specific
medication to treat dengue.Treat the
symptoms of dengue and see your
healthcare provider.
N/A Enterobius Perianal pruritis The patient history of pinworm
Vermicularis (Enterobiasis) infection, also called enterobiasis,
includes itching or prickling pain in
the anal area (usually at nighttime or
in the early morning), intense anal
itching, restless sleep or difficulty
sleeping, and, rarely, abdominal
discomfort or loss of appetite.Other
symptoms include irritability and, in
females, vaginal itching. Most
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Infective larvae develop patients, however, are asymptomatic.

rapidly within the eggs. To treat pinworm infection, your
Adult worms appear as doctor may recommend over-the-
elongate whitish tubes counter pyrantel pamoate (Reese's
with pointed tails. They Pinworm Medicine, others) or
have three lips prescribe medication to all members
surrounding the anterior of your household to prevent infection
mouth, a large esophageal and reinfection. The most common
bulb, and a conspicuous prescription anti-parasite medications
anterior cuticular inflation for pinworms are: Mebendazole.
(swollen head). Male
worms are 1-4 x 0.2-
0.4mm in size, have a
single spicule 100-140µm
long, and their posterior
ends are strongly curved
ventrally. Female worms
are 8-13 x 0.3-0.6mm in
size and have pronounced
slender pointed tails.

Green N/A Aspergillus Aspergillosis Aspergillosis is an infection caused by

S Strain - The S strain of Aspergillus, a common mold (a type
Aspergillus flavus, also of fungus) that lives indoors and
referred to as Group I outdoors. Most people breathe in
strain has a sclerotia Aspergillus spores every day without
(hardened mass of getting sick. However, people with
mycelium) that is less than weakened immune systems or lung
400 mm in size, which is diseases are at a higher risk of
its defining characteristic. developing health problems due to
Aspergillus. The types of health
L Strain - Compared to problems caused by Aspergillus
the S strains, the L strain include allergic reactions, lung
of Aspergillus flavus has a infections, and infections in other
sclerotia that is larger than organs.
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400 mm in diameter.