Gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test. Gram-positive bacteria take up the crystal violet stain used in the test and then appear purple-colored when seen through a microscope. Six gram-positive genera are typically pathogenic in humans. Two of these, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, are cocci (sphere-shaped). The remaining organisms are bacilli (rod-shaped) and can be subdivided based on their ability to form spores. The non-spore formers are Corynebacterium and Listeria (a coccobacillus), whereas Bacillus and Clostridium produce spores.
Gram-Positive Endospore-Forming Rods
Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain when treated by Gram’s method. Gram-positive endospore-forming rods are rod-shaped bacteria that form endospores. Representative genera include Bacillus and Clostridium. They include:
- Nocardia
- Bacillaceae
- Clostridia
- Clostridium botulinum
- Micromonosporaceae
- Paenibacillus
- Paenibacillus
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Thermoactinomyces
Gram-Positive Asporogenous Rods, Regular
Gram-positive not spore-bearing rods, regular, are a group of regular rod-shaped bacteria that stain gram-positive and do not produce endospores. They include:
- Brochothrix
- Erysipelothrix
- Lactobacillaceae
- Listeria
- Mycobacteriaceae
Gram-Positive Asporogenous Rods, Irregular
Gram-positive not spore-bearing rods, irregular, are a group of irregular rod-shaped bacteria that stain gram-positive and do not produce endospores. They include:
- Acetobacterium
- Actinobacteria
- Butyrivibrio
- Corynebacterium
- Eubacterium
- Propionibacteriaceae
- Thermoanaerobacter
Gram-Positive Cocci
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