BACILLUS MIRABILIS Meaning and
Definition
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Bacillus mirabilis is a species of gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacteria commonly found in various environmental niches, including soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of animals. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can also colonize the human urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The name "Bacillus mirabilis" derives from its remarkable characteristics and properties.
This bacterium is rod-shaped and can form spores, allowing it to survive harsh conditions and resist the effects of disinfectants and antibiotics. It possesses a flagella that grants it motility, enabling it to move in a characteristic "swarming" fashion on solid surfaces, such as agar plates. This swarming behavior contributes to its ability to cause infections.
Bacillus mirabilis is often associated with urinary tract infections, particularly in patients with underlying complications, such as urinary tract obstructions or catheter usage. It can cause both complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, often manifested by symptoms like frequent and painful urination, cloudy or bloody urine, and lower abdominal discomfort. Additionally, it can contribute to kidney stones' formation by producing urease, an enzyme that hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, leading to alkalinization of urine and precipitation of mineral crystals.
Treatment of Bacillus mirabilis infections typically involves antibiotics that are effective against gram-negative bacteria, such as fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, or cephalosporins. Occasionally, multidrug-resistant strains have emerged, necessitating targeted antibiotic therapy based on susceptibility testing.
Etymology of BACILLUS MIRABILIS
The word "Bacillus" has its origin in the Latin language, where it means "rod" or "staff". In microbiology, it is used to refer to rod-shaped bacteria.
The term "mirabilis" is the Latin word for "wonderful" or "extraordinary". It is used as a species name to highlight the remarkable characteristics or features of the bacteria, in this case, Bacillus mirabilis.
