What is the Difference Between Fastidious and Nonfastidious Bacteria?

The main difference between fastidious and nonfastidious bacteria lies in their nutritional requirements and growth conditions.

Fastidious bacteria:

• Require specific nutrients and conditions for growth.
• Show slow growth in contrast to nonfastidious bacteria.
• Examples include Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which requires an enriched media in a humid environment at 35-37°C in 3%–5% CO2, and Capnophilic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp., which require elevated carbon dioxide for their growth.

Nonfastidious bacteria:

• Do not require any special conditions or substances for their growth.
• Grow fast on laboratory media under normal atmospheric conditions.
• Synthesize their organic molecules, so special nutritional supplements are not necessary for their growth.
• Examples include Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.

In summary, fastidious bacteria require specific nutrients and conditions for growth, making them difficult to grow in laboratories, while nonfastidious bacteria can grow rapidly in standard laboratory media under normal atmospheric conditions.

Comparative Table: Fastidious vs Nonfastidious Bacteria

Fastidious and nonfastidious bacteria differ in their nutritional and growth requirements. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Fastidious bacteria are more challenging to cultivate in laboratory settings due to their specific growth requirements, while nonfastidious bacteria can grow easily without additional nutritional supplements.