MICROBIOLOGY MNEMONICS

Negri bodies- Rabies

Flavivirus: Diseases caused

Vibrio cholerae: reactions

" W.D JOY "

" COINS "

West nile fever

The biochemical reactions which

help to differentiate vibrio cholera
are

Dengue
Japanese B encephaliis
Omsk hemorrhagic fever (OHF)
Yellow fever
Think: WeeDs of JOY!

Catalase +ve
Oxidase +ve
Indole +ve
Nitrates reduced to nitrites and
Sucrose fermentation

Picorna viridae:
members PEECoRnA (Picorna is
pronounced 'pee-corna')
Poliovirus
Echovirus
Enterovirus
Coronavirus
"R'novirus" (Rhinovirus)
Hepatitis A

Intracytoplasmic inclusion
bodies

Streptococcus pneumoniae:
diseases caused COMPS:
Conjunctivitis
Otitis media
Meningitis
Pneumonia
Sinusitis

" BiG HeN "

Bollinger bodies- Fowlpox
[image:744 align=right
width=200]
Guarineri bodies- Vaccinia/ variola
Henderson patterson bodiesMolluscum contagiosum

Influenza infection: clinical

manifestations "Having
Flu Symptoms Can Make Moanin
g Children
A Nightmare":
Headache
Fever
1

Sore throat
Chills
Myalgias
Malaise
Cough
Anorexia
Nasal congestion

UTI-causing
microorganisms KEEPS:
Klebsiella
Enterococcus
faecalis/ Enterobacter cloacae
E. coli
Pseudomonas
aeroginosa/ Proteus mirabilis
Staphylococcus
saprophyticcus/ Serratia
marcescens

Psedomonas aeruginosa:
features AERUGINOSA:
Aerobic
Exotoxin A
Rod/ Resistance
UTIs, burns, injuries
Green-blue dressings
Iron-containing lesions
Negative gram
Odor of grapes
Slime capsule sometimes (in CF
pt)
Adherin pili

Gram staining:
mechanism "Murein gets the red

out" [Allusion
to an old eye-wash slogan]:
Peptidoglycan (aka murein)
remains purple during Gram
staining. The Gram
negatives, devoid of murein, are
red.
Thus, murein prevents redness
and are purple (positive).

Entameoba histolytica:
disease caused,
action EntAmoeba
causes Amoebic dysEntery.
Action: histo (cell) lytic (burst), so
it bursts cells.

Clostridium difficile: disease

caused "Difficult to
be in a Closet with someone
having explosive foul smelling
diarrhea, because it would smell
and there would be no air in
there.
Clostridium Difficile
causes explosive foul smelling
diarrhea
and is an anaeorbe (no air).

Pneumonia: acute pneumonia

infiltrates from different
causes
"Pyrogenic=PMN, Miscellaneous=
Mononuclear":
2

Acute pneumonia caused

by Pyogenic bacteria: PMN
infiltrate.
Acute pneumonia caused
by Miscellaneous
microbes: Mononuclear
infiltrate.

Catalase positive
organims SPACE:
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas
Aspergillus
Candida
Enterobacter

Urease positive
organisms PUNCH:
Proteus (leads to alkaline urine)
Ureaplasma (renal calculi)
Nocardia
Cryptoccocus (the fungus)
Helicobacter pylori

Vaccines: types STARK:

Subunit
Toxoid
Attenuated [live]
Recombinant
Killed [inactivated]

AIDS pathogens (T-cell

suppression) worth

knowing "The
Major Pathogens Concerning Com
plete T-Cell
Collapse":
Toxoplasma gondii
M. avium intracellulare
Pneumocystis carinii
Candida albicans
Cryptococcus neoformans
Tuberculosis
CMV
Cryptosporidium parvum

Tetanus: treatment for

infection SAD RAT:
Sedation
Antitoxin
Debridement
Relaxant
Antibiotic
Tracheostomy

Placenta-crossing organisms/
antenatal Infections STARCH:
Syphilis
Toxoplasmosis
AIDS (HIV)
Rubella
CMV
Herpes/ Hepatitis

Typhus: Epidemic Typhus:

etiologic agent,
vector ePidemic
3

typhus:
Etiological agent:
Rickettsia Prowazekii.
Vector: Pediculus corporis (human
body louse).
This is in contrast to Endemic
typhus.

Capsulated
bacteria "Some Bacteria Have
An Effective Paste Surrounding
Membrane Yielding
Pseudo Fort, Bypassing Killing":
Strep pneumonia
Bacteroides
H. influenza
Anthrax (B. anthracis)
E. coli
Pasteurella
Salmonella
Menigitidis (N. Menigitidis)
Yersinia pestis
Pseudomonas
Francisella
Brucella
Klebsiella

Hepatitis: transmission
routes "Vowels are bowels":
Hepatitis A and E transmitted
by fecal-oralroute.

Have Some Capsule Protection":

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neisseria meningitidis
Klebsiella pnemoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Salmonella typhi
Cryptococcus neoformans
Pseudomanas aerigenosa

Pneumonia: causes: gram

negative vs. gram
positive Gram Negatives
(eg coliforms) are responsible
mainly for Nosocomial
pneumonia.
Gram positives (eg strep
pneumonia, staph) are thus more
responsible for
community acquired pneumonia.

Klebsiella details You tell the

patient: "Get UPS you
fat alcoholic":
UTI
Pneumonia
Sepsis
Fat capsule
Get up=nonmotile since no
flagella.
Alcoholic=commonly seen
in alcoholicand nosocomial
patients.

Capsulated
microbes "Some Nasty Killers
4

Pseudomonas details See

diagram of patient.
Patient: bug commonly infects
nosocomial.
Oxygen tank: oxidase positive.
IV bag: has glucose and lactose,
so its OK to give because its a
nonlactose
fermenter.
Why giving oxygen? Because it
commonly caused pneumonia.
IV in the arm: supposed to signify
sepsis.
The foley: UTI.
Burn on his foot: can infect burns.

Leprosy: early signs

diagnostic criteria "LEProsy":
Loss of sensation in affected
skin/ Loss of function (paralysis)
Enlargement of affected
superficial nerves (tender too)
Positive identification of M. leprae
under microscope

Kidney transplant
virus "Borrowed Kidney":
BKvirus is associated with kidney
transplants.

Endotoxin
features ENDOTOXIN:
Endothelial cells/ Edema
Negative (gram- bacteria)

DIC/ Death
Outer membrane
TNF
O-antigen
X-tremely heat stable
IL-1
Nitric oxide/ Neutrophil
chemotaxis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis:
culture identification "Rough,
Tough, Buff":
Rough: colony isn't smooth but
rough like breadcrumbs.
Tough: colony stuck to plate well,
and tough to remove.
Buff: buff is a color, a
cream/coffee shade.

Vibrio:
motility "Vibrio Vibrates":
Vibrio is a genus of actively motile
bacteria.

Toxoplasma gondii:
manifestations "My Cat Eats
Mice":
Mononucleosis-like illness
Chorioretinits/ Congenital
infection
Encephalitis
Myocarditis

Chlamydia: elementary vs.

initial body
location Elementary:
Extracellular
Initial: Intracellular

Trypanosoma brucei: disease

caused "I went on a TRYP
to AFRICA":
TRYPanosoma brucei
causes AFRICAn sleeping
sickness

RNA enveloped viruses FORT

ABC, Puerto Rico:
Flavivirus/ Filo
Orthomyxo
Retro
Toga
Arena
Bunya
Corona
Paramyxo
Rhabdo

Teratogens: placenta-crossing
organisms ToRCHeS:
Toxoplasma
Rubella
CMV
Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster
(varicella), Hepatitis B,C,E
Syphilis

Alternatively: TORCHES:
with Others (parvo, listeria),
add HIV
to H's, Enteroviruses.

E. coli: major subtypes, key

point of each "HIT by E.
coli outbreak":
EnteroHemorrhagic:
HUS from Hamburgers
EnteroInvasive:
Immune-mediated Inflammation
EnteroToxigenic:
Traveller's diarrhea

Obligate anaerobes: members

worth knowing ABC:
Actinomyces
Bacteroides
Clostridium

Common cold: viral

causes "Common cold (acute
infectious
rhinitis, coryza) is PRIMArily
caused by":
Paramyxoviruses
Rhinoviruses
Influenza viruses
Myxoviruses
Adenoviruses

Streptococcus pyogenes:
diseases caused NIPPLES:
Necrotising fasciitis and myositis
Impetigo
Pharyngitis
Pneumonia
Lymphangitis
Erysipelas and cellulitis
Scarlet fever/ Streptococcal TSS

Arena
Filo
Bunya

Picornavirus:
features PICORNAvirus:
Positive sense
ICOsahedral
RNAvirus

RNA viruses: positive

stranded "Pico Called
Flavio To Return Renzo's Coron
a":
Picorna
Calici
Flavi
Toga
Retro
Reo
Corona

Neisseria: fermentation of N.
gonorrhoeae vs. N.
meningitidis
Gonorrhoeae: Glucose fermenter
only.
MeninGitidis: Maltose
and Glucose fermenter.
Maltose fermentation is a useful
property to know, since it's the
classic test
to distinguish the Neisseria types.

Endocarditis: lab results

suggesting it "High Tech
Lab Results Point At Endocarditis
":
Hematuria
Thrombocytopenia
Leukocytosis, -penia
Red blood cell casta
Proteinuria
Anemia
Elevated ESR

RNA viruses: negative

stranded "Orthodox Rhabbi's
Party Around Fine Bunnies":
Orthomyxo
Rhabdo
Paramyxo

Endocarditis: causes of
culture negative
endocarditis "With
Negative Tests, Investigators Sho
uld Focus
Attention Somewhere Meaningful
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":
Wrong diagnosis
Noninfectious endocarditis
Timing (cultures drawn at end of
chronic course)
obligate Intracellular organisms
Slow growing fastidious
organisms
Fungal infection
Antibiotic used previously
Subacute right-sided endocarditis
Mural endocarditis

Endocarditis: indications for

surgery PUS RIVER:
Prosthetic valve endocarditis
(most cases)
Uncontrolled infection
Supporative local complications
with conduction abnormalities
Resection of mycotic aneurysm
Ineffective antimicrobial therapy
(eg Vs fungi)
Valvular damage (significant)
Embolization (repeated systemic)
Refractory congestive heart
failure

Meningitis: risk
factors "Can Induce Severe
Attacks Of Head PAINS":
Cancer
Immunocompromised state
Sinusitis
Age extremes
Otitis
Head trauma

Parameningeal infection
Alcoholism
Infections (systemic, esp.
respiratory)
Neurosurgical procedures
Splenectomy

HIV infection: high-risk

groups HIV:
Homosexuals/ Hemophiliacs
IVdrug abusers

Trichomaniasis: features 5
F's:
Flagella
Frothy discharge
Fishy odor (sometimes)
Fornication (STD)
Flagyl (metronidazole) Rx

Nematodes: ones spreading

by egg ingestion "ATE eggs":
Ascaris Lumbricoides
Trichuris trichuira
Enterobius vermicularis
spread by ingestion of eggs (vs
skin invasion or insect bite)

Food poisoning: bugs

inducing "Eating Contaminated
Stuff Causes Very Big Smelly Vo
mit":
8

E. coli O157-H7 [undercooked

meat, esp. hamburgers]
Clostridium botulinum [canned
foods]
Salmonella [poultry, meat, eggs]
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
[seafood]
Bacillus cereus [reheated rice]
Staphylococcus aureus [meats,
mayo, custard]
Clostridium perfringens [reheated
meat]
Vibrio vulnificus [seafood]

B19 virus: at-risk groups B19

affects 3 B's:
Babies (5th disease, infectiousum
erythematosa)
Black Bleeders (sickle cell
anemics - anaplastic anemic
crisis)
Bearing Babies [pregnant
women] (hydrops fetalis)

IgA protease-producing
bacteria "Nice Strip of Ham":
Neisseria
Streptococcus pneumonia
Haemophilus influenza

Hemophilius: culture
requirements Read Hemophilus
as "HemoFive":

Needs Heme with

Factors Fiveand Ten.

DNA viruses: morphology rule

of thumb DNA:
Double-stranded
Nuclear replication
'Anhedral symmetry
Rule breakers: pox
(cytoplasmic), parvo (singlestranded).

Streptococcus pyogenes:
virulence factors SMASHED:
Streptolysins
M protein
Anti-C5a peptidase
Streptokinase
Hyaluronidase
Exotoxin
DNAses

Gram positive
stain Gram Positives
Stain Purple (violet-blue)
because of their
thick Peptidoglycan layer

Gram+: bacterial cell wall

Gram+ has:
+hick pepidoglycan layer.
+eichoic acid in wall.
9

Listeria: motility Istanbul

sounds like Listambul =
list + tumble.
Listeria has tumblingmotility.

Staphylococci: novobiocin test

to distinguish coagulase
negative
staphylococci Staph epidermidis
stays away from the novobiocin
disc like an epidemic.
Therefore, epidermidis is
sensitive to novobiocin.
Staph saprophyticus, much
friendlier, comes up to the disc
and says, "'sap?'"
[short for "whassup?", ie "what's
up"].
Therefore, saprophyticus is
novobiocin resistant.

Acute post-streptococcal
glomerulonephritis: classic
presentation
"Sore throat, Face bloat, Pi$
$ coke":
Sore throat: 1 week ago
Face bloat: facial edema
Pi$$ coke: coke-coloured urine
Alternatively, short version:
"Throat, bloat and coke".

Streptococci: classification by
hemolytic ability Gamma:
Garbage (no hemolytic activity).
Alpha: Almost (almost lyse, but
incomplete).
Beta: Best (complete lysis).

Streptococci: Quellung
reaction: positive sign, Strep
type confirmed
"Quell-lung":
Quell: Capsules swell [+ve test].
Lung: S. pnuemonia [type
confirmed].
You get pneumonia in
your lung.

E. coli: diseases caused in

presence of virulence factors
DUNG:
Diarrhea
UTI
Neonatal meningitis
Gram negative sepsis
Dung, since contract E. coli
from dung-contaminated water.

Streptococcus pyrogenes:
antibody SPAM:
Streptococcus Pyogenes: Antibod
y to Mprotein.

10

Staphylococcus aureus:
diseases caused SOFT PAINS:
Skin infections
Osteomyelitis
Food poisoning
Toxic shock syndrome
Pneumonia
Acute endocarditis
Infective arthritis
Necrotizing fasciitis
Sepsis

Meningitis: most common

organisms NHS:
Neisseria meningitidis
Hemophilus Influenzae
Streptococcus pneumonia
The cause of the most Severe
meningitis is Streptococcus.
Note: NHS is an acronym for
National Health Service in several
countries.

which binds to
EF-2 (elongation factor 2).

RNA viruses: negative

stranded "Always Bring
Polymerase Or Fail Replication":
Arena
Bunya
Paramyxo
Orthomyxo
Filo
Rhabdo
Note: Negative RNA viruses need
there own polymerase.

Syphilis vs. H. ducreyi

(chancroid): which ulcer is
painful
"In du-crey-i,
you do cry (because it is
painful)":
In H. ducreyi, the ulcer is painful,
in syphilis the ulcer is painless.

Diphtheria toxin
properties ABCDEF:
A/B-type toxin. Made by
Corynebacterium diphtheriae,
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