Proteus is a genus of bacteria, specifically a gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family.
Key Characteristics of Proteus Bacteria:
- Gram-Negative: This means that they have a specific cell wall structure that does not retain the crystal violet stain during Gram staining, which is a standard microbiological technique. This is a major classification of bacteria based on cell wall properties (Brooker 2008).
- Anaerobic: Proteus bacteria can survive and grow without oxygen.
- Rod-shaped: Under a microscope, Proteus bacteria appear as rod-shaped cells.
- Motile: These bacteria can move using their flagella (Armbruster 2013).
- Swarming Ability: A notable feature is their ability to "swarm," meaning they can spread rapidly across surfaces, which is how they can move along catheter surfaces. (Armbruster 2013).
Proteus in a Practical Context:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Gram Stain | Gram-negative, a crucial classification in microbiology. |
| Oxygen Needs | Anaerobic, can grow without oxygen. |
| Shape | Rod-shaped |
| Mobility | Motile due to flagella. |
| Movement | Exhibits "swarming" motility across surfaces |
- Clinical Significance: While some Proteus species are found in normal human flora, others are opportunistic pathogens, often associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly those related to catheter use.
- Catheter-Associated Infections: The bacteria's swarming ability makes it easy to migrate along catheter surfaces, creating biofilms and causing infections (Armbruster 2013).
