SC Standard7.2.3

Compare the body shapes of bacteria * Spiral * Coccus * Bacillus

Bacteria Wanted PosterResearch Project

Project Details

Background Information & Student Requirements:

Students will research one bacterial pathogen and produce a “Wanted Poster.”

Students will then act as the Investigator, solving the crime of WHAT CAUSED IT ….

Determining what bacteria is responsible for their disease

List of Possible Pathogens and Diseases

PATHOGEN(S)• Bacillus anthracis • Bordetella pertussis• Clostridium botulinum • Clostridium perfringens• Clostridium tetani• Corynebacterium

diphtheria • Mycobacterium leprae• Mycobacterium

tuberculosis• Neisseria gonorrhoeae • Rickettsia richettsii • Rickettsia prowazekii• Salmonella typhi • Treponema pallidum• Treponema pertenue • Vibrio cholerae • Yersinia pestis

DISEASE CAUSED• Anthrax• Whooping Cough• Botulism• Gas Gangrene• Tetanus• Diphtheria• Leprosy (Hansen’s

Disease)• Tuberculosis• Gonorrhea• Rocky Mountain

Spotted Fever• Typhus• Typhoid Fever• Syphilis• Yaws• Cholera• Bubonic Plague

Project Description Information

1. “Photo" (electron micrograph or microscopic picture/diagram)

2. Description - include Gram stain 3. Organism's m.o. (police jargon) (How the

organism attacks and spreads) 4. Most common victims to prey upon 5. Hide out of the culprit (where it is most likely to

be found) 6. Most common injury done to victim 7. Is it considered armed and dangerous? rate the

degree of damage caused 8. Number of victims (Include if men, women or

children) 9. Most effective weapons against the germ 10. Any other identifying characteristics (such as

tattoos) 11. How diagnosed, treated, and possible

complications, etc.

WANTED Bordetella

pertussisBy Federal Disease Investigators

This is a stick up…

$$$ 100,000 REWARD $$$

Name: Bordetella pertussis

Description: the bacterium Bordetella pertussis causes Whooping Cough. B. pertussis is a very small Gram-negative aerobic coccobacillus that appears singly or in pairs.

M.O: There are two stages of whooping cough. During the initial stage ,an infected person has symptoms characteristic of an upper respiratory infection, including runny nose, sneezing, fever, or a mild occasional cough. It is during the second stage that patients experience a burst of rapid coughs usually accompanied by a characteristic high-pitched "whoop."

Common Victims: Young infants and children, but adults can develop the disease

Hide Out Spot: Lungs and airways

Most Effective Treatment Method(s): Antibiotic therapy

Armed and Dangerous…Approach with Extreme Caution!!!

WANTEDRickettsia richettsii

By Federal Disease Investigators

I’m your worst nightmare

$$$ 50,000 REWARD $$$

Name: Rickettsia richettsii

Description: Rickettsia richettsii is the cause of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The Rickettsiae are small, Gram-negative, aerobic, coccobacilli that are obligate intracellular parasites of eukaryotic cells. They may

reside in the cytoplasm or within the nucleus of the cell they invade.

M.O: Rickettsia rickettsii is found in the Americas and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. The bacterium infects human vascular endothelial cells, producing an inflammatory response.

Symptoms usually develop 2-14 days after tick bite and can include chills, fever, headache, muscle pain and trademark bulls eye rash.

Common Victims: Anyone with access to the outdoors, specifically heavily wooded areas.

Hide Out Spot: Anywhere on the skin (Warm snuggly places)

Most Effective Treatment Method(s): Careful removal of the tick from the skin and antibiotics to eliminate infection.

Armed and Dangerous…Approach with Extreme Caution!!!

Disease Vector

Bacteria

WANTEDStreptococcus pneumoniaeBy Federal Disease

Investigators

Ready or not, here I come…

$$$ 25,000 REWARD $$$

Name: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Description: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a normal inhabitant of the human upper respiratory tract. Streptococcus pneumoniae cells are Gram-positive pairs of cocci (diplococci), but they may also occur singly

and in short chains.

M.O: Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, ear pain, cough, chest pain, disorientation, shortness of breath and occasionally stiff neck.

Common Victims: Although anyone can get pneumococcal disease(s), it is most common among young children, the elderly, or among people with serious underlying medical conditions.

Hide Out Spot: Upper respiratory tract, specifically lungs.

Most Effective Treatment Method(s): Powerful antibiotic therapy

Armed and Dangerous…Approach with Extreme Caution!!!

WANTEDDEAD OR ALIVE

Treponema pallidumBy Federal Disease

Investigators

$$$ 1,000,000 REWARD $$$

Name: Treponema pallidum

Description: Treponema pallidum is a spirochete bacterium that causes syphilis. It is not seen on a Gram Stain smear because the organism is too thin. Transmission occurs by sexual contact and from mother to fetus

across the placenta.

M.O: The primary stage of syphilis is usually marked by the appearance of a single sore (called a chancre), but there may be multiple sores. Skin rash and mucous membrane lesions characterize the secondary stage. This stage typically starts with the development of a rash on one or more areas of the body. The rash usually

does not cause itching.

Common Victims: Babies (passed during birth from mother), teenagers and adults engaged in risky behavior(s)

Hide Out Spot: External genitals, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or even mouth.

Most Effective Treatment Method(s): Antibiotic therapy, but reoccurrence is possible

Armed and Dangerous…Approach with Extreme Caution!!!