Bordetella pertussis is a clinically important member of the Bordetella genus and is known for causing whooping cough. Some other members of this genus include Bordetella hinzii, Bordetella holmesii, and Bordetella trematum [1].
Yersinia enterocolitica is a gram-negative bacillus that is known for causing gastroenteritis. [1]
Pasteurella derives its name from the French scientist Louis Pasteur (Pasteur→Pasteurella) and belongs to the Pasteurellaceae family. [1]
Some clinically important members of the Brucella family include Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella canis and Brucella suis. [1]
The organism is known for causing plague/black death that resulted in millions of deaths in the past.
Reservoirs for Yersinia pestis include wild rodents, squirrels, prairie dogs, and city rats. [1,2]
Some subspecies of Francisella tularensis are the following [1]:
Subspecies tularensis (type A)-most virulent
Subspecies Holarctica (type B)
subsp. mediaasiatica
A pneumonia outbreak occurred in 1976 among American Legion members at a convention in Philadelphia. Subsequent investigations identified Legionella pneumophila as the causative organism for this outbreak. Legionella was an unknown organism before that outbreak because it exhibits poor gram staining and needs specific culture media for optimum growth. (named so: legion →legionella).
Unencapsulated strains of Haemophilus influenzae can be normally present in the human respiratory tract [1]. However, pathogenic strains can cause diseases in all age groups, from children to adults. Some notable diseases caused by H. influenzae in children include epiglottitis, meningitis, and septic arthritis [2].
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic free-living organism that belongs to the Mycoplasmataceae family [1]. It is also sometimes referred to as the Eaton agent, named so after the name of the researcher who initially isolated the organism [2].
Treponema pallidum is a thin spirochete that is known for causing syphilis [1]. Other species of this group and the corresponding diseases they cause are the following [2]:
Treponema pallidum pertenue: yaws
Treponema pallidum endemicum: endemic syphilis
Treponema pallidum carateum: pinta
