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Types of Gram Positive Bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria possess thick cell walls made of complex polymers of sugar and amino acids. These bacteria can be distinguished from gram-negative bacteria, which have thinner cell walls, by absorbing dye during the Gram staining method. Gram-positive bacteria are responsible for strep throat, pneumonia and botulism as well as producing diary products such as yogurt.

  1. Streptococci

    • Spherical and chain-like in construction, streptococci come in different gram-positive species. Streptococcus pneumoniae will cause you to come down with a secondary bacterial pneumonia. Another species, Streptococcus pyogenes, causes strep throat and rheumatic fever. Some forms of this bacteria cause dental decay while other strains are harmless to the body and aid in the production of yogurt, buttermilk and cheese.

    Staphylococci

    • Staphylococci appear under a microscope as clusters or packets. These types of gram-positive bacteria contribute to the formation of skin boils, abscesses and carbuncles. The species Staphylococcus aureus can cause food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia and staphylococcal meningitis.

    Lactobacilli

    • The gram-positive bacteria lactobacilli have a rod shape and can occur as single cells or in chains of cells. This bacteria maintains a symbiotic relationship with the flora that live in the mouth and vagina. Other species of lactobacilli help in the production of diary products such as yogurt, sour cream and buttermilk.

    Bacillus and Clostridium

    • Both rod-shaped, gram-positive bacteria, bacillus and clostridium produce spores that can be found in soil, air and all over your body. While Bacillus anthracis will give you anthrax, it also used in insecticide that kill certain types of caterpillars. Clostridium is responsible for tetanus, botulism and gas gangrene, but it can also be used industrially. Certain species can be used to produce the chemical butanol.

    Actinomyces

    • Throughout its life cycle actinomyces will take many different shapes, often forming branching filaments. This gram-positive bacteria causes lumpy jaw---fixed, hard swellings of the upper and lower jawbones---in both humans and cattle.

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