In an attempt to obtain a pure culture for use in a catalase test, the organisms were plated onto nutrient agar (NA). Following aerobic (in air) incubation, plates were observed and the following was seen:

You perform a Gram stain on a heat-fixed smear of bacterial cells cultured from Sample A and Sample B. The results are shown below. Indicate the Gram stain reaction/cellular shape for each sample. Record these results in the Results Worksheet.

Using information from the Gram stains shown in Q6, which of the samples contains bacteria that produce spores? Record these results in the Results Worksheet.

Sample A and Sample B were plated onto MacConkey agar but after incubation no growth was observed. What does this tell you about the organism present in each sample? Select all that apply.

When a clinical microbiologist receives a specimen for diagnostics one of the first techniques usually performed is culturing. There are different types of media that can be used by microbiologists and the correct one must be selected in order to be able to culture the causative microorganism for identification. Answer the following questions about some media types that can be used.

For this task, you are a scientific journalist and must prepare a television news segment (up to a maximum of two (2) minutes in length) reporting on a recent outbreak of an infectious disease to inform the public about this outbreak. (20 marks)

Step 1

• You have been allocated to one of the following pathogens; you can find your allocation here (based on the first letter of your surname).

  • • Burkholderia pseudomallei
    • Listeria monocytogenes
    • Streptococcus pyogenes
    • Measles virus
    • Marburg virus
    • Monkeypox virus

Step 2

• Find a recent media article (within the last 5 years) describing an outbreak of an infectious disease (from anywhere in the world) caused by your allocated pathogen.
• If you are using generative AI (GAI) to explore ideas and gather information you must acknowledge this including the program(s) and prompts used.
• Enter the following information into the text box below:

  • • the link to your media article
    • the GAI program(s) and prompts used (if applicable).

Step 3

• The following information must be covered in your television news segment (in any order you choose but remember it must be logical to make sense to your audience):

  • • the name of the pathogen responsible for the outbreak.
    • describe features of this pathogen (addressing features discussed in the lectures).
    • name and describe the disease caused by this pathogen including symptoms.
    • describe how this pathogen was transmitted in the outbreak.
    • who is most at risk of infection?
    • the number of cases / deaths that occurred during the outbreak.
    • why did the outbreak occur?
    • could this outbreak have been prevented? If so, how?

• You should source / use information from your media article, BMS1021 Microbiology lectures and other credible resources.

Step 4

• Record a video (a maximum of two (2) minutes in length) in the style of a television news segment covering the information stated in Step 3.
• With regards to your video:

  • • it should be engaging for the audience - make sure you are enthusiastic (using appropriate tone / speed of voice) and looking at the camera whilst presenting (you must not read from a script but can certainly have cue cards as prompts).
    • you must show yourself on camera during the entire video.
    • you should not speed up your voice at any time.
    • your audience is the public and therefore content must be presented in a manner that can be understood by this audience.

Step 5

• Upload your video (.mp4 file with your student ID number in the file name) below.

Allocation of Marks

Marks are allocated for the following:

• media article for outbreak (2 marks)

  • • link given
    • appropriate article – relevant for pathogen and within last five (5) years

• video (18 marks)

  • • explanation / inclusion of the required information (12 marks)
    • ordering of information / logical flow (2 marks)
    • clarity of presentation (clear voice, good pace, engaging) (2 marks)
    • face was present on camera for the duration of the video (1 mark)
    • adhered to time limit (1 mark)

Mark deductions will apply for:

• any incorrect inclusions / explanations.
• completing this task for a pathogen that you were not allocated to.

Part 1: Drawing (10 marks)

• Hand-draw a motile, spore-producing microorganism that is susceptible to desiccation.
• Include and label all relevant structures on your drawing; ensure these labels are legible. 
• Write your student ID number on your drawing.
• Once you have completed your drawing, take a photograph of it and insert into a PowerPoint slide.

Part 2: Video (10 marks)

• Using the PowerPoint slide containing your drawing, utilise the PowerPoint record function to record a video of up to 90 seconds explaining:

  • • the microorganism type chosen and features you chose to include and why.
    • why you excluded other features that were discussed in the lectures.

• You must have your camera on / show your face in one corner of the slide whilst recording.
• Upload your video (.mp4 file with your student ID number in the file name) below.

Important

• Mark deductions will apply:

  • • for any incorrect inclusions / explanations. 
    • if you do not show your face whilst recording. 
    • if your video exceeds the time limit (which is 90 seconds).

• Electronically generated drawings or videos containing these will receive zero (0) marks for this question.
• If a video is submitted with a drawing but no accompanying commentary, a maximum of ten (10) marks can be awarded for this question.
• If you are using generative AI (GAI) to explore ideas and gather information you must acknowledge this including the program(s) and prompts used.

  • • enter this information in the text box below.

Based on your knowledge of viral replication, explain how a virus could infect a host epithelial cell to cause a decrease in the number of host epithelial cells whilst increasing their own number as illustrated in Figure 3? (2 marks)

Figure 3: The relationship between viral load and host epithelial cell numbers.

A faecal sample from a patient was plated onto MacConkey agar and the plate was incubated overnight, aerobically at 37°C. From your observations of the plate following incubation (Figure 2), state two conclusions about the microorganisms growing on this media. (2 marks)

Figure 2: Growth of microorganisms from a patient's faecal sample on MacConkey agar following overnight aerobic incubation at 37°C.

Using your knowledge of Gram staining, indicate what colour cells would be if a Gram stain was performed incorrectly due to omission of a step or incorrect performance of a step when a microorganism known to contain LPS in its cell wall is stained. (3 marks)