Bacteria That Can Survive for Long Periods of Time

Bacteria can survive feeding on other organisms. Other bacteria can be spread in sickness, which keeps the bacteria alive. Several types of bacteria can survive in adverse conditions, meaning normally unfavorable or unfriendly conditions. Bacteria can be airborne and can thrive in food, soil or water. Some bacteria can even survive high blasts of radiation. It is important to be aware of bacteria that can survive for long periods of time, so you can protect yourself.

Listeria

• According to the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in an article entitled "Bacteria Food Poisoning," by Al B. Wagner, Jr., Listeria can survive for long periods of time under adverse conditions. The article goes onto explain that Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures and is a food-borne pathogen. Listeria does not commonly kill humans. The adverse conditions Listeria can grow in include a pH range of 5.0-9.5 in good growth medium (Wagner, Jr.). It is also tolerant to salt and can survive concentrations up to 30.5 percent for 100 days at 39.2 degrees F (Wagner, Jr.). Finally, according to "Bacteria Food Poisoning,, Listeria can only survive for five days if held at 98.6 degrees F.

Endospore

• Firmicute phylum can create a bacteria called an endospore. According to a Science Daily article about endospores, they are dormant, but are tough and can survive in adverse conditions under environmental distress. Resistant to ultraviolet radiation, desiccation, high temperatures, extreme freezing and chemical disinfectants, endospores can also survive without nutrients. Because endospores are resistant to chemical disinfectants, they are also resistant to common anti-bacterial agents that work by destroying vegetative cell walls. You can typically find endospores in soil and water, and they can survive there for long periods of time.

Deinococcus Radiodurans

• According to an article on the Microbe World website entitled "Types of Microbes: Bacteria," Deinococcus radiodurans can survive blasts of radiation 1,000 times greater than would kill a human being. Deinococcus radiodurans is known as an extremophilic bacterium, which means it is one of the most radioresistent organisms known. Able to withstand cold, dehydration, acid and vacuum, Deinococcus radiodurans is a polyextremophile.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis (TB). It is a highly contagious airborne bacteria that can be spread from a person with an active TB infection. Mycobacterium enters through the lungs. TB can affect the lungs, as well as other parts of the human body. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause two types of illnesses: active TB disease and latent TB infection. It is slow growing and will cause symptoms over a long period of time (State of Rhode Island Department of Health).