The Human Normal (Commensal) Flora


The Gram film from a vaginal swab from a post-menopausal lady


 
Gram film from a vaginaal swab from a post-menopausal lady

In the Gram film above two different types of cell can be seen; one round and one rod-shaped. The coccus is Gram-positive, the bacillus is Gram-negative. Thus, this film contains both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of different shapes.

The Gram-positive cocci form short chains. In the film below the chain simply comprises two cells. The cells also appear to be squashed slightly:

Gram-positive cocci
 
Schematic of Gram-positive cocci

The Gram-negative bacilli show no particular arrangement:

Gram-negative bacilli
 
Schematic of Gram-negative bacilli

Link to normal flora cases


Page edited April 2006


Microbiology Teaching Page


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