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AAT Bioquest

Which is more harmful, gram-positive bacteria or gram-negative bacteria?

Posted March 1, 2023


Answer

Gram-negative bacteria are more harmful than gram-positive bacteria. This is because gram-negative bacteria have a hard, protective outer shell, which makes them more resistant to antibiotics and hence harder to kill. Moreover, when the cell wall is disturbed, gram-negative bacteria release endotoxins that can exacerbate existing symptoms. With their higher resistance to antibiotics, gram-negative bacteria cause significant morbidity and mortality, making them considerably more harmful than gram-positive bacteria.

Additional resources

Resistance of Gram-Negative Bacteria to Current Antibacterial Agents and Approaches to Resolve It

Gram Staining

MycoLight™ Dyes and Kits

MycoLight™ Rapid Fluorescence Gram-Positive Bacteria Staining Kit