Proteus mirabilis

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Proteus mirabilis[edit | edit source]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium known for its swarming motility and urease activity. It is part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract but can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other opportunistic infections. This organism is notable for its ability to rapidly spread across solid surfaces, forming distinctive concentric rings.


Classification[edit | edit source]

  • Kingdom: Bacteria
  • Phylum: Proteobacteria
  • Class: Gamma Proteobacteria
  • Order: Enterobacterales
  • Family: Enterobacteriaceae
  • Genus: Proteus
  • Species: P. mirabilis

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

P. mirabilis exhibits several distinctive traits:

  • Swarming Motility: Ability to move in a coordinated manner on solid surfaces.
  • Urease Production: Enzymatic conversion of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, increasing the pH of its environment.
  • Gram-Negative: Characterized by a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides.
Swarming motility pattern of Proteus mirabilis on an agar plate.

Pathogenicity[edit | edit source]

While P. mirabilis is a common part of the gut flora, it can cause infections when it enters sterile areas of the body. It is a significant cause of UTIs, particularly in catheterized patients. Other infections include:

  • Kidney stones: Due to urease activity, leading to alkaline urine and the formation of struvite stones.
  • Wound infections
  • Respiratory tract infections

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of P. mirabilis infections involves:

  • Urine or blood cultures
  • Identification of characteristic swarming on agar plates
  • Urease tests
  • Gram staining

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment typically involves antibiotics, though P. mirabilis shows resistance to many common antibiotics. Options include:

  • Nitrofurantoin
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Third-generation cephalosporins
  • Prevention of UTIs involves proper catheter care and hygiene practices.

Research and Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

Research on P. mirabilis focuses on understanding its resistance mechanisms, developing new antibiotics, and preventing infections in hospital settings. Epidemiological studies track its prevalence in healthcare facilities and the community.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]


Resources[edit source]

Latest articles - Proteus mirabilis

PubMed
Clinical trials

Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Proteus mirabilis for any updates.



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