Common Pathogens and Bacterial Infections
37 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following types of pathogens can cause infections in humans?

  • Viruses (correct)
  • Protozoa (correct)
  • Mitochondria
  • Ribosomes
  • What is the first process in the infection cycle of microorganisms?

  • Colonization (correct)
  • Invasion
  • Spread
  • Multiplication
  • Which of the following statements about viral infections is true?

  • Viral infections can generally be eradicated easily.
  • Some viral infections can reactivate when immunity is low. (correct)
  • Anti-viral drugs kill all types of viruses.
  • All viral infections are transmitted through blood.
  • Which type of treatment is effective against bacterial infections?

    <p>Antibiotics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the multiplication stage in the infection cycle?

    <p>Pathogens use host nutrients for reproduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ultimate effect of pathogen spread in the body?

    <p>Local or systemic disease manifestations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can be considered a common type of antimicrobial agent?

    <p>Antibiotics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a condition related to a viral infection that cannot be eradicated?

    <p>Herpes simplex virus infection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which acyclovir inhibits viral replication?

    <p>Inhibits viral DNA polymerase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic differentiates Gram-positive bacteria from Gram-negative bacteria?

    <p>Thick peptidoglycan layer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the lipopolysaccharide layer in Gram-negative bacteria?

    <p>Acts as a barrier to certain antibiotics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of bacteria would most likely fit the description of filamentous bacteria?

    <p>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bacterial shape is NOT categorized among the true bacteria?

    <p>Mycelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What component is NOT part of the LPS structure?

    <p>Peptidoglycan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of bacteria retains the crystal violet dye during the Gram stain test?

    <p>Gram-positive bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of fungal cells provides resistance to certain antibiotics?

    <p>Polysaccharide cell wall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary treatment for vaginal infections caused by Candida albicans?

    <p>Antifungal cream or suppository</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines bactericidal antibiotics?

    <p>Kill bacteria directly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of antibiotic acts against a limited group of bacteria?

    <p>Narrow-spectrum antibiotics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is associated with Gram-negative bacteria?

    <p>They are generally resistant to penicillin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following antibiotics is used to treat scalp infections?

    <p>Ketoconazole</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a superinfection?

    <p>A second infection resistant to antibiotics used against the first infection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following practices increases the risk of antibiotic resistance?

    <p>Using a large dose of antibiotics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bacteria is associated with antibiotic-related infections of the large intestine?

    <p>Clostridium difficile</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can trigger a problem with C.difficile in the bowel?

    <p>Antibiotics killing non-C.difficile bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the initial treatment step for a serious C.difficile infection?

    <p>Stop the current antibiotics if possible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential consequence of a serious C.difficile infection?

    <p>Toxic megacolon and sepsis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organism has shown resistance to tetracycline due to antibiotic overuse?

    <p>Candida albicans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common outcome of recurrent C.difficile infections?

    <p>Indication for faecal microbiota transplant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of action for macrolides?

    <p>Inhibiting RNA-dependent protein synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is true regarding the use of macrolides?

    <p>They can be both bactericidal and bacteriostatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common adverse effect associated with macrolides?

    <p>GI distress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are macrolides often buffered or enteric coated?

    <p>To prevent destruction by gastric acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of ribosome do aminoglycosides act upon?

    <p>30S ribosome subunits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what situation are macrolides typically used?

    <p>When a patient is allergic to penicillin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant factor that determines whether macrolides are bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

    <p>The concentration of the drug</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What suffix is commonly associated with both macrolides and aminoglycosides?

    <p>-mycin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Common Pathogens

    • Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and worms are common pathogens.
    • Some viral infections are lifelong and cannot be eradicated, such as HIV-1/HIV-2 and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
    • HSV-1 and HSV-2 are highly contagious and spread through contact and saliva.
    • HSV-1 causes cold sores and HSV-2 causes genital herpes.
    • Anti-viral drugs, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), are used to treat viral infections.
    • Antibiotics cannot kill viruses.

    Bacterial Infections

    • Bacteria are categorized by their shape, arrangements, and gram staining.
    • Shapes and Arrangements:
      • Filamentous bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, form mycelium.
      • True bacteria include cocci, bacilli, vibrio, and spirilla.
      • Cocci can be arranged in pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), tetrads, or sarcinae (cube-like packets).
      • Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria.
      • Vibrio are comma-shaped bacteria, such as Vibrio cholerae (cholera).
      • Spirilla are helical or spiral-shaped bacteria.
    • Gram Staining:
      • Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls and stain blue.
      • Gram-negative bacteria have a thin layer of peptidoglycan and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coat in their outer membrane, staining pink.
      • LPS, also known as endotoxin, consists of lipid A, a core polysaccharide, and an O antigen.

    Fungal Infections

    • Fungi have thick cell walls made of polysaccharides.
    • They can exist as single-celled yeasts or multicellular molds/moulds.
    • Fungal cell walls are resistant to antibiotics targeting bacterial cell walls, such as penicillin and cephalosporin.
    • Fungi can adapt to various environments, including digesting keratin (found in skin, hair, and nails), and can suppress host immune defenses.
    • Vaginal infections caused by Candida albicans can be treated with antifungal creams, suppositories, or tablets, such as butoconazole (Gynazole-1), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin), and fluconazole (Diflucan).
    • Scalp infections can be treated with antifungal shampoos containing ketoconazole (Nizoral).

    Types of Antibiotics

    • Bactericidal: Antibiotics that kill bacteria.
    • Bacteriostatic: Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial growth.
    • Broad spectrum: Antibiotics that act against a large group of bacteria.
    • Narrow spectrum: Antibiotics that act against a limited group of bacteria.

    Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance

    • Superinfection: A second infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant microbial agent that occurs on top of an earlier infection.
    • Antibiotic overuse: Excessive use of antibiotics increases the chance of bacteria developing resistance.
    • Pseudomonas can become resistant to cephalosporins.
    • Candida albicans can become resistant to tetracycline.

    Clostridium difficile Infection

    • Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes infection in the large intestine (colon).
    • C. difficile usually lives harmlessly in the bowel but can become problematic when the balance of bacteria is disrupted by antibiotics.
    • Infection can cause high fever, diarrhea, stomachache, and loss of appetite.
    • Serious C. difficile infection can lead to toxic megacolon and sepsis, potentially resulting in ICU admission and death.
    • Treatment for C. difficile infection:
      • Stop the current antibiotics, if possible.
      • Begin a 10-day course of an antibiotic that targets C. difficile.
      • If recurrent infection occurs more than twice, consider a fecal microbiota transplant.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    This quiz covers essential topics related to common pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and worms. You'll learn about the characteristics of viral and bacterial infections, their classifications, and treatment options. Test your knowledge on infectious diseases and their causative agents.

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser