Proteus mirabilis
From Freepedia
| Proteus mirabilis | ||||||||||||||
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| Proteus mirabilis Hauser 1885 |
Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium. It shows swarming, motility, and urease activity. P. Mirabilis causes 90% of all 'Proteus' infections.
Contents |
Diagnosis
An alkaline urine sample is a possible sign of P. Mirabilis.
P. Mirabilis can be diagnosed in the lab due to characteristic swarming, motility, and lactose negativity.
Disease
This bacterium has the ability to produce high levels of urease. Urease hydrolyzes urea to ammonia and thus makes the urine more alkaline. If left untreated, the increased alkalinity can lead to the formation of crystals of struvite, calcium carbonate, and/or apatite. The bacteria can be found throughout the stones, and these bacteria lurking in the stones can reinitiate infection after antibiotic treatment. Once the stones develop, over time they may grow large enough to cause obstruction and renal failure.
Treatment
P. Mirabilis is susceptible to most antibiotics apart from tetracycline. Between 10% and 20% of P. Mirabilis strains are also resistant to first generation cephalosporins and ampicillins.
External links
- "Proteus mirabilis and Urinary Tract Infection" [1].
