B. cereus OR There's a Bug in my Soup

I don't think this is really Bacillus cereus, an endemic, soil dwelling, gram-positive, rod shaped bacterium capable of causing vomiting and diarrhea.  But I think B. cereus is a great choice for a naming a bacterium (by a microbiologist who clearly wasn't being serious at the time).  
Just goes to show you what a fun bunch of people we microbiologists are.


So, just for fun, I share these pics from work with those of you who do not have ready access to your own microscope.

Gram negative rods--with spores

And even more fun pics:

  Gram positive cocci, umm.., square dancing? 

And in case you have a microscope that you are not having any fun with, I offer you this link so you can do your own gram stains at home.

Just be sure to read to the end of the procedure where it advises you:

For official diagnostic purposes, an experienced laboratory technician should evaluate your slide. 

(In other words:  Be serious.  Just because you have the ability to see your germs, doesn't mean can accurately identify them.)

Today's blog brought to you by your favorite fun-loving laboratory technologist, and the letters B, U, and G.

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