Bacteriology
Infection Control:
Principles and Practices
Bacteria (germs, microbes)
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One-celled microorganisms with both plant
and animal characteristics
Skin, water, air, decayed matter, secretions of
body openings, clothing, beneath nails…
Microscope needed to see bacteria
Types of Bacteria
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Nonpathogenic- helpful or harmless; not
disease producing
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Decompose garbage, soil fertility, metabolize food,
protect against infection, stimulate immune
response
Used to make penicillin, yogurt, special type of
milk for gastrointestinal disorders
Saprophytes (live on dead matter)
Types of Bacteria
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Pathogenic- harmful, cause disease
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parasites (require living matter for growth)
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Reason for sanitary standards
Classifications of
Pathogenic Bacteria
1) Cocci- Round shaped bacteria that
appear alone or in the 3 following groups
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Staphylococci
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Streptococci
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Diplococci
Staphylococci
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Pus forming bacteria that
grow in clusters (like
grapes)
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Cause abscesses, pustules,
boils
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Picked up on doorknobs,
countertops, other surfaces,
skin to skin contact
Streptococci
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Pus forming bacteria
arranged in curved lines
(string of beads)
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Strep throat, blood
poisoning
Diplococci
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Spherical bacteria that
grow in pairs
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Causes pneumonia
2) Bacilli
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Short, rod-shaped
bacteria
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Most common bacteria
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Cause tetanus, typhoid
fever, tuberculosis,
diphtheria
3) Spirilla
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Spiral or corkscrew
shaped
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Subdivided into
subgroups
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Treponema pallidasyphylis; Borrelia
burgdorferi- lyme
disease
Movement
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Cocci- transmitted in the air, dust, or within
the substance they land in
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Bacilli or Spirilla- use slender, hairlike
extensions (flagella, cilia) for locomotion
Bacterial growth and reproduction
Active or Vegetative
Stage
Grow and reproduce
Warm, dark, dirty,
damp, sufficient food
Mitosis- divide into 2
new cells (daughter
cells)
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Inactive or sporeforming stage
Withstand periods of
famine, dryness, and
unsuitable temperatures
Spores can be blown
around
Not harmed by heat cold
or disinfectants
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Bacterial Infections
(Infections occur when pathogenic bacteria invades body tissues)
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Pus (sign of infection)- contains white blood cells and
debris of dead cells, tissue elements, and bacteria
Local infection- confined to a particular part of the
body (lesion containing pus)
General infection- bloodstream carries bacteria or
virus and toxins to all parts of the body
Contagious (communicable)- when a disease spreads
from one person to another by contact
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Persons with diseases that are contagious should not be
treated in the salon. These include tuberculosis, common
cold, ringworm, scabies, viral infections
What are some sources of
contagion?
Sources of contagion
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Unclean hands and implements
Open sores
Pus
Mouth an nose discharge
Shared drinking cups
Towels
Uncovered coughing or sneezing
Spitting in public
Viruses (submicroscopic structure capable of
infesting almost all plants and animals including
bacteria)
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Cause common colds, respiratory and
gastrointestinal infections
Measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox,
rabies, yellow fever, hepatitis, polio, influenza,
HIV
Virus can only live by penetrating cells and
becoming part or them
Vaccination prevents viruses from penetrating
cells
Hepatitis (marked by
inflammation of the liver; present
in all body fluids)
Hepatitis A- lasts about 3 weeks
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Similar symptoms to the flu
Adults often have yellowing of skin and eyes
Caused by close household contact, such as
bathroom use; poor sanitation; poor personal
hygiene; contaminated food, milk, water, and
shellfish; infected food handlers; and sexual
contact
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Vaccine Available
Hepatitis B (HBV) Standard- can cause
long-term hepatitis, cirrhosis, and/or liver cancer)
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½ of people with HBV do NOT have
symptoms, but disease can mirror the flu
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Transferred through sexual contact or
parenteral exposure (piercing mucus
membranes or skin barrier) to blood or blood
products
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Vaccine Available
Hepatitis C (HCD) – Can Progress Slowly
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1/3 do not have symptoms
Symptoms can include fatigue and stomach
pain
Transfer through parenteral contact and sexual
activity with infected partners
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Vaccine Not Available
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
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Causes AIDS (breaks down bodies immune
system)
Transferred through blood or other body fluids
such as semen and other vaginal secretions
Can be infected for up to 11 years without
symptoms
Can enter bloodstream through cuts and sores
and can be transmitted in a salon by a sharp
instrument
How Pathogens Enter the Body
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Break in skin, mouth, nose eyes, ears,
unprotected sex
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Body fights infections with unbroken skin, body
secretions, white blood cells and antitoxins
Bloodborne pathogens – bacteria or viruses
carried through body in blood or body fluids
Parasites (vegetable or animal organisms that live in
or on another living organism and draw nourishment from it)
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Fungi – includes molds, mildews, yeasts
Can produce contagious diseases such as:
ringworm and favus (skin diseases)
Nail fungus can be contracted through
implements that have not been disinfected
properly or by moisture trapped under nail
enhancements (implements not disinfected
before and after use)
Parasites – cont’d
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Animal parasites such as head lice, are
responsible for contagious diseases and
conditions
Pediculosis capitis – skin disease caused by
infestation of head lice
Scabies – caused by itch mite which burrows
under the skin
Head louse
Itch mite (scabies)
Scabies infection
Parasites
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Never treat in a cosmetology school or salon
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Refer to a physician
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Clean contaminated countertops with pesticide
or insecticide
Immunity – Ability of Body to Destroy Bacteria That
Have Gained Entrance and to Resist Infection
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Immunity can be natural or acquired and is a
sign of good health
Natural immunity – partly inherited and partly
developed through hygienic living
Acquired immunity – body develops as it
overcomes a disease or through inoculation
Name 3 classifications of bacteria
Spirilla, Cocci, Bacilli
3 groups of Cocci bacteria
Staphylococci, diplococci, streptococci
What are the 2 types of bacteria?
What are the 2 stages of bacterial
growth and reproduction
How do Pathogens enter the body?
How do viruses live?
How do bacteria move around?