Indicator Organism during a Water Sample Test, Staphylococcus - Assignment Example

1) During a water sample test, a test to detect the presence of “indicator organism” is performed. These indicator organisms are microorganisms (predominantly bacterial forms) whose presence gives an indication of faecal contamination in the water sample. EMB agar and ENDO agar are the media used to detect the presence of these organisms.  2) The three main species of staphylococcus are- Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.  The structure, as well as the excreted products of S.

aureus organism, plays a crucial role in its pathogenicity. The ability to survive and the increasing resistance to anti-bacterial agents make it more pathogenic. The factors that determine the pathogenicity of S.aureus are- presence of surface protein (MSCRAMMs) that promotes easy adherence to hosts, invasins which help the bacteria spread in the host tissues (Gordon & Lowy, 2008), factors present on the surface of the capsule that inhibits phagocyctosis, secretions of toxic substances that damage host tissue, biochemical ability that allows survival in phagocytes and acquired resistance to strong antimicrobials e.g. Methicillin-resistant S.aureus.