RESULT

1. Assume that the lab will be used to do the following tasks :

a) Diagnostic procedures e.g. gram staining, biochemical tests for

No Microorganism Gram Morphology Name of toxin or disease

staining

1 Bacillus subtilis + Rod, Fungicide

encapsulated

2 Bacillus anthracis + Rod, Anthrax (cytotoxin)

encapsulated

3 Escherichia coli - Rod Traveller’s diarrhea (enterotoxin)

4 Escherichia coli - Rod 0157;H7 (enterotoxin)

O157:H4

5 Shigella flexneri - Rod, non-spore Bloody stool (Dysentrery)

forming

6 Staphylococcus + Cocci in clusters Skin lesion, toxic shock syndrome

aureus

7 Methicillin-resistant + Cocci Skin infections and sepsis to

Staphylococcus pneumonia to bloodstream
aureus (MRSA) infections.

8 Mycobacterium Acid- Rod, branching- Tuberculosis

tuberculosis fast forms

9 Streptococcus + Cocci in pairs, Meningitis, otitis media

pneumoniae encapsulated

10 Salmonella - Rod Salmonellosis (food poisoning)

typhimurium
b) Growing E.coli O157:H4 in 1 liter volumes for growth studies

The genome sequences of the pathogen revealed a clonal outbreak with

enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). Some EAEC virulence elements are carried on the virulence
plasmid pAA. From an unknown source, the epidemic strains acquired a lambdoid prophage
carrying the gene for the Shiga toxin. The resulting lines consequently possess two specific
cellular elements, a phage and a plasmid, contributing quintessential virulence genes. Shiga toxin
is released by using decaying bacteria in the gut, migrates thru the intestinal barrier, and is
transported by means of the blood to goal organs, like the kidney. In a mouse model, probiotic
bifidobacteria interfered with transport of the toxin thru the intestine mucosa. Researchers
explored bacteriophages, bacteriocins, and low-molecular-weight inhibitors against STEC.
Randomized controlled clinical trials of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)-associated hemolytic
uremic syndrome (HUS) patients found none of the interventions highest quality to supportive
remedy alone. Antibodies against one subtype of Shiga toxin blanketed pigs against fatal
neurological infection, whilst remedy with a toxin receptor decoy confirmed no effect in a scientific
trial. Likewise, a monoclonal antibody directed towards a complement protein led to blended
results. Plasma trade and IgG immunoadsoprtion ameliorated the circumstance in small
uncontrolled trials. The epidemic O104:H4 lines had been resistant to all penicillins and
cephalosporins however susceptible to carbapenems, which had been recommended for
treatment.

c) inoculating mice with Brucella abortus for pathogenic studies

Brucella abortus is a infectious bacteria that can cause Brucellosis and be spread from
animal to humans (zoonotic). In animals, Brucella cannot be cured. It is considered as a large
health threat in the other parts of the worlds. As inoculating mice for pathogenic studies, the
Brucella bacteria can travel to human as a person come intact with animal or animal product
infested with Brucella bacteria. Nonetheless, the bacteria rarely spread from person to person
(horizontal transfer within species).
 2. Identify what are the possible biosafety hazards. Identify at least 4 biological agents and
4 labobarotory procedure that can be hazardous. Also identify one or two physical/
chemical hazards in the lab.

Hazard Potential risk

*What can happen?

*What harm can the hazard cause?

Category of hazard : Biological agents

1 Toxin Can cause botulism

Clostrodium botulism

2 Fungus Airborne infections and enter the lungs for

infections
Histoplasma Capsulatum

3 Virus Enter host via cut in the skin wound

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

4 Animal waste Can cause infection

Zoonotic

Category of hazard : Laboratory procedures

1 Surgical knife Can cause deep cut or small cut towards

someone

2 Microwave (Oven) If there’s no proper maintenance, it can cause

electricity shock and electrocution

3 Wet floor Cause slippery floor and high chances of falls

4 High acidity solution Aerosol produced can cause harms to the

respiratory system if there’s no protection
 Physical/Chemical hazards

1 Physical hazard Using high temperature and high pressure, it

can cause explosion if it did not taken good care
Autoclave machine
of

2 Chemical hazard Carcinogenic agents and can cause cancer

Ethidium bromide (EtBr)

References:

1. Jacquelyn G.Black, Laura J.Black (2013), Microbiology (8th Edition), River Street Hoboken,
New Jersey Unites States, John Wiley & Sons Inc.

2. Maite Muniesa, Jens A. Hammerl, Stefan Hertwig, Bernd Appel, and Harald Brüssow
(2012), Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O104:H4: a New Challenge for
Microbiology, National Center for Biotechnology Information, PMCID: PMC3370534, PMID:
22504816, Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3370534/ on 3 rd
October 2018, 3.28pm.

3. What Is Brucellosis? (2018), Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-

guides/brucellosis-symptoms-treatment#1-2 on 3rd October 2018, 3.41pm