You Have Found The Satan...!
Characteristics : Large, straight filaments, 1.0 - 3.0 micron in width and 100 - 500 micron in length, found
free in bulk solution and actively motile by gliding and flexing. Generally contains substantial spherical sulfur
granules; cell septa are not visible when sulfur is present. Without sulfur, cells are rectangular (1 - 3 x 4 - 8 micron).
No attached growth. No sheath. Gram negative and Neisser negative; however, cells may stain Gram positive when substantial
sulfur is present. Neisser - positive granules may occur.
Identification : Relatively large, motile filaments (100-500 µm). Straight filaments with no branching. Cells
are rectangular (1-3 x 4-8 µm). Filaments are found free in the bulk solution and are motile with a gliding and flexing
movement. The filament staining is Gram negative but may stain Gram positive if sulfur is present and Neisser negative
with Neisser positive granules observed frequently. Usually easy to identify due to its gliding motion. Contains
substantial refractile spherical sulfur granules and the cell septa is not visible when sulfur is present. No Sheath.
No attached growth.
Similar Organisms : This is the only actively motile filamentous bacteria with gliding and flexing action.
Environment : This filament is usually found in environments where there are septic wastes and sulfides. It is
commonly observed in activated sludge but rarely causes bulking, if it does it is usually inter-floc bridging. Beggiatoa
is found in RBC units and trickling filters and can cause clogging of filters and growth overloading on RBC units that
can lead to shaft failures.
Control : Septic wastes can be altered by pre-aeration or pre-chlorination.
Rank : Beggiatoa ranks 16th in number of predominance.
