A Comparison of the Five I's of Microbiology in a Bacterial and Protozoan Microbe. Essay Example

The Five I’s of microbiology are techniques utilized in the characterization and observation of microorganisms. After the collection of a specimen, the Five I’s of microbiology are applied. They include inoculation, incubation, isolation, inspection, and identification. This paper aims to compare and contrast how the Five I’s of microbiology would be completed when a patient's infection is because of a bacterial microbe or a protozoan microbe. The bacterial microbe is assumed to be Staphylococcus aureus and the protozoan microbe to be malaria. The following is a description of how the Five I’s are completed in the two different samples, as detailed below.

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Inoculation

Inoculation is when a sample is placed under a thriving environment with controlled nutrients to allow the microbes to grow. In the inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria, Luria broth (LB), agar, and swirl are used in its inoculation. A sample of the specimen is placed in the liquid LB mixed with agar and swirl. The mixture is then loosely covered with a cap or an aluminum foil (Keogh). Conversely, in the inoculation of malaria, about 100 ml of water is boiled and left to cool. Wheat is then added to the water and left in an open dish for two days. The sample can now be added in the mixture to inoculate.

Incubation

An incubator is used to provide or adjust an environment to offer a proper condition for sample growth. The benefits of using an incubator include rapid multiplication of the microbes and more visible growth, which enables easy monitoring. In the case of Staphylococcus aureus, when the sample is inoculated, it is placed under a shaking incubator at an optimum temperature of 37°C (O’Brien). However, the malaria parasite does not require an incubator to multiply since it thrives in normal environmental conditions.

Isolation

After inoculation and incubation, the samples are isolated by separating them from other mixtures used when inoculating. The streak method is used to isolate bacteria where the mixture is placed on a surface, and the samples are selectively thinned out. To get a pure sample of protozoa, a water sample nutrient mixed with antibiotics is used. The purpose of antibiotics is to inhibit further growth. The final step is allowing the protozoan microbes to swim out of the mixture through a migration tube.

Inspection

Inspection refers to the samples' observation for any growth characteristics that can be used for analysis or identification. The contents of both the bacteria and protozoa are inspected through a microscope. The cells can be stained to get more specific information. Elements assessed include motility, size, and shape.

Identification

The primary objective of the Five I’s is to precisely identify the type of microbe to the lowest level, which is species. Both bacteria and protozoa are identified through biochemical and morphological tests such as inhibition of antibiotic patterns and serotyping (Baldoza).

Work Cited

Keogh, Dr. Tom. The Methods for Studying Microorganisms, McGraw-Hill Publishing, 7 June 2018, water.mecc.edu/courses/ENV295Micro/Lesson4_print.htm.

Baldoza, Wingielyn. “The Methods for Studying Microorganisms.” SlideShare, SlideShare, 21 Aug. 2017, www.slideshare.net/twitchangel/the-methods-for-studying-microorganisms-25445400.

O’Brien, Henry. “Culturing Protozoa.” Microbus Microscope Educational Website, Microbus Microscope Educational Website, 14 Aug. 2020, microscope-microscope.org/microscope-applications/culturing-protozoa/.