Salmonella is genus that includes 2,300 different species of bacteria. The most common types of salmonella are Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium, which account for half of all human infections.
Gram Test
The Gram test determines to the composition of a bacterium's cell wall. Salmonella is gram negative, which signifies high amounts of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like substance that provides structure and strength.
Oxygen Needs
Salmonella is a facultative bacteria. This means that it can survive with or without oxygen. Obligate bacteria, on the other hand, can only survive under specific conditions.
Shape
Salmonella is a rod-shaped bacteria, or bacillus. Unlike other strains of bacilli, however, salmonella does not produce spores.
Appearance on Augur
On MacConkey agar, salmonella colonies appear colorless and transparent, though they sometimes have dark centers. A colony is a group of bacteria that are growing together.
Diseases
Salmonella causes two diseases in humans: Enteric fever, or typhoid, and gastroenteritis. Doctors refer to both diseases as "salmonellosis"
References
About the Author
Joel Michaels holds a B.A. in languages and literature as well as a teaching degree in English as Second Language. He has been freelance writing on education, politics, religion and related topics since 2006.