Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

'Bioluminescent' Reporter Phage for the Detection of Category A Bacterial Pathogens
11:31

'Bioluminescent' Reporter Phage for the Detection of Category A Bacterial Pathogens

Published on: July 8, 2011

[The aggregation ability of the plague microbe]

G D Briukhanova, A K Akiev, A P Beĭer

    Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia I Parazitarnye Bolezni
    |October 1, 1995
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hemoglobin significantly boosts plague bacillus aggregation, increasing virulence and transmission. Aggregated plague bacilli, or blocks, are more potent than individual microbes in effective vector transmission.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Pathogen Transmission

    Background:

    • The plague bacillus (Yersinia pestis) is a significant human pathogen.
    • Understanding factors influencing plague bacillus virulence and transmission is crucial for disease control.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of hemoglobin in plague bacillus aggregation.
    • To determine the impact of bacillus aggregation on virulence and transmission.

    Main Methods:

    • Observational studies on plague bacillus aggregation in vitro.
    • Assessment of virulence in a murine model.
    • Analysis of bacillus aggregation within insect vectors.

    Main Results:

    • Hemoglobin significantly enhances plague bacillus aggregation (p > 0.99).
    • Aggregated plague bacilli (conglomerates) exhibit greater virulence in mice compared to single bacilli.
    • Aggregated bacillus forms, termed 'blocks,' are found in the gizzard of effective vectors, indicating a role in transmission.

    Conclusions:

    • Hemoglobin is a key factor promoting plague bacillus aggregation.
    • Bacillus aggregation enhances virulence and is critical for transmission.
    • The 'block' formation represents an important stage in the plague bacillus transmission cycle.

    More Related Videos

    Tools for the Real-Time Assessment of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Model07:39

    Tools for the Real-Time Assessment of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Model

    Published on: April 6, 2021

    Automating Aggregate Quantification in Caenorhabditis elegans07:50

    Automating Aggregate Quantification in Caenorhabditis elegans

    Published on: October 14, 2021

    Related Concept Videos

    Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

    Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

    Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
    Diversity of Protists II01:27

    Diversity of Protists II

    Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
    Microbial Interactions: Predation01:28

    Microbial Interactions: Predation

    Microbial predation refers to the process by which one microorganism kills and consumes another to obtain nutrients and energy. It encompasses both bacterial and protozoan predators. This interaction plays a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and regulating nutrient cycling.Bacterial Predators: Epibiotic vs. EndobioticBacterial predators are classified based on their mode of attack as either epibiotic or endobiotic. Epibiotic predators, such as Vampirococcus, attach to the surface of...
    Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

    Colonisation of Pathogens

    Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
    Inhalation Anthrax01:25

    Inhalation Anthrax

    Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
    Plague01:24

    Plague

    Plague is a highly virulent zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccobacillus. This pathogen primarily circulates among rodent populations and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas. Additional transmission routes include direct contact with infected animal tissue or inhalation of respiratory droplets from individuals with pneumonic plague. These multiple transmission pathways highlight the bacterium’s potential for rapid...