Main Groups of Bacteria

The domain of Prokaryotes is divided into two main groups of organisms: Archaeans and Bacteria.
Archaeans are the oldest and most primitive forms of organisms we know of, and were previously considered
to be a kingdom of bacteria called "Archaeabacteria", but since 1990 have been re-classified with a domain
unto itself. Archaea do not require oxygen or light and can live in some of the most extreme conditions where
no other organisms seem capable of surviving, such as swamps, salt lakes, and thermal vents. They have also
been found to live throughout all other habitats as well, such as the ocean and certain organs of the human
body. They tend to exist as mutualists and commensalists, while none have been found to be parasites or
pathogens. Three types of Archaea include:

 Methanogens - Archaeans that live in anaerobic conditions, such as swamps and marshes, and produce
methane. eg. Methanobacterium ruminantium.
 Halophiles - Archaeans that require high salt concentrations, such as the Dead Sea or Great Salt Lake,
Utah. eg. Halococcus dombrowskii.
 Thermoacidophiles - Archaeans that live in very hot, acidic environments, such as geothermal geysers.
eg. Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Archaea were first found in extreme environments,

Archaea were recently discovered in acid mine
such as volcanic hot springs.
drainage.

Eubacteria are the most common type of prokaryote and what we typically refer to when we speak of bacteria,
the term meaning "true bacteria". With 12 different phyla, there are a huge variety of types of Eubacteria,
including Gram-positive, Gram-negative, Gleocapsa, Gliding, Anabaena spiroides, etc.
Helpful Bacteria?

Despite the common perception of bacteria being generally harmful and dangerous, bacteria are for the most
part harmless to humans. There are some that are in fact very beneficial to human health as well. Without
bacteria we would not survive. We house millions of bacteria on our skin and in our nose, mouth, and gut.

 They help us digest our food, produce vitamins, and occupy niches that would otherwise be available
for competing pathogens.
  We rely on bacteria for the preparation of many healthy types of food and beverages, such as yogourt,
cheese and other fermented milk products, fermented vegetables, and even coffee and cacao beans.

 We depend on bacteria to help us make medicines like insulin, growth hormones and antibiotics.
 Ecological systems rely on bacteria to decompose dead materials, recycling nutrients and fixing
nitrogen back into the Earth's soil.
 Some bacteria act as purifiers that remove waste products and poisons from water, can be used in
sewage treatment plants.

Bacterial Infections In Humans

There are relatively few bacteria that can cause diseases or harm humans. Bacterial infectious disease occur
when the pathogenic bacteria interfere with the regular routine of host cells and cause cell and tissue
destruction.
One example of a bacterial infection is Escherichia coli, or E coli for short.
E coli are bacteria that can be found in foods, the intestines of humans, and throughout the environment. There
are many strains of E coli, most of which are harmless, in fact they play an important role in our digestive
system. There are 6 types however that can cause harmful effects in humans, and one particular type of E.
coli causes disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. The bacteria that make these toxins are called "Shiga
toxin-producing E. coli", or STEC.'
E coli is transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or people.

Symptoms of E coli include:

 diarrhea
 urinary tract infections
 respiratory illness
 bloodstream infections
 Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of E. coli bacteria
kidney failure, can begin as the diarrhea is
improving
Most people recover within a week but, rarely, people with severe infection may be sick for a longer time.
Generally, the best option is to rest and drink plenty of fluids to help with dehydration and fatigue. Avoid
taking an anti-diarrheal medication, which prevents your body from getting rid of the toxins by slowing down
the digestive system.

There are various ways to protect against E coli infections such as:

 Practice proper hygiene, especially good hand washing

 Cook meats thoroughly
 Avoid consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices
 Avoid swallowing water when swimming

Tuberculosis bacteria transmitted through the air

Another example of bacterial infection common to humans is Tuberculosis (TB), caused by bacterium
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria often attacks the lungs but can attack any part of the body
such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
TB can be transmitted by airborne means, such as when an infected person with a disease of the lungs or
throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

Not everyone with TB Treatment is available for TB disease, involving taking several drugs for 6
develops symptoms, but those who are 10 drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
do may experience the following the approved drugs, the anti-TB agents that form the core of treatment reg
symptoms:
 isoniazid (INH)

 rifampin (RIF)
 a bad cough that lasts 3
 ethambutol (EMB)
weeks or longer
 pain in the chest  pyrazinamide (PZA)
 coughing up blood or
sputum
 weakness or fatigue
 weight loss
 no appetite
  chills
 fever
 sweating at night

Prevention of Tuberculosis consists of following an Infection Control Program in all healthcare settings - which
are at high risk - must ensure:

 prompt detection of infectious patients

 airborne precautions, and

 treatment of people who have suspected or confirmed TB disease.

It is also important for travellers to protect themselves while abroad, avoiding close contact or prolonged time
with known TB patients in crowded, enclosed environments (for example, clinics, hospitals, prisons, or homeless
shelters). Vaccinations exist for TB, however they do not always protect people from getting TB. It is rarely used
in North America except on select individuals, although it is often given to infants and children in countries
where TB disease is common.