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Questions and Answers
What characterizes autoimmune disorders?
What is a notable symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
What is a hallmark of primary immunodeficiencies?
Which condition is categorized under secondary immunodeficiencies?
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How can the progression of HIV to AIDS be suppressed?
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What characteristic distinguishes prokaryotic bacteria from eukaryotic organisms?
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Which type of bacteria is characterized as having a rigid cell wall and can be classified as gram-positive or gram-negative?
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Which type of toxin is typically produced by gram-positive bacteria?
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What structure do some bacteria possess that aids in motility?
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How do bacteria primarily reproduce?
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What is the defining feature of a virus that classifies it as an obligate intracellular parasite?
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What is the primary component used to classify viruses?
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Which statement about spores in bacteria is true?
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What is the primary method by which viruses replicate within a host cell?
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What characteristic differentiates Chlamydia, Rickettsiae, and Mycoplasmas from typical bacteria?
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How does a latent viral infection typically behave in the body?
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Which type of fungus is known as the cause of athlete's foot?
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What treatment is primarily used for fungal infections?
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Which of the following organisms can cause pneumonia and has characteristics of both fungi and protozoa?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding fungi?
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Which of the following is NOT a protozoal disease?
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Which type of prosthetic infection is caused by organisms that usually thrive in immunosuppressed individuals?
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What is a characteristic of helminths?
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What is the primary treatment for infections caused by protozoa and helminths?
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What is the mode of transmission for prions?
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Which term describes the continuous transmission of an infection within a population?
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Which of the following statements about carriers is true?
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What is a characteristic feature of resident flora in the body?
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Which helminth is commonly transmitted by the ingestion of food contaminated with feces?
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What occurs during the incubation period of an infection?
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Which of the following characterizes the acute period of infection?
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Which strategy is NOT considered a means to reduce transmission of infection?
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What is the purpose of using antiseptics?
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Which of the following is an indicator of bacterial infection based on leukocyte response?
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What defines a bactericidal antimicrobial?
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Which method is used for the identification of antigens or antibodies in body fluids?
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What is a local sign of inflammation typically associated with a bacterial infection?
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Study Notes
Autoimmune Disorders
- Autoimmune disorders arise when antibodies develop against the body’s own cells or tissues.
- Autoantibodies indicate a loss of self-tolerance and can lead to localized or generalized organ involvement.
- Examples include Hashimoto thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatic fever, myasthenia gravis, scleroderma, and pernicious anemia.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple organ systems.
- Characterized by a distinctive “butterfly rash” on the face.
- Common symptoms: arthralgia, fatigue, malaise, cardiovascular issues, and polyuria.
- Diagnosis involves serum antibodies, LE cells, and other blood analyses.
- Treated by rheumatologists with Prednisone (a glucocorticoid) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Immunodeficiency
- Defined by a partial or total loss of one or more components of the immune system.
- Results in an increased susceptibility to infections and certain cancers.
Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiencies
- Primary immunodeficiencies arise from intrinsic developmental issues.
- Secondary (acquired) immunodeficiencies can occur at any age due to specific factors: infections, splenectomy, malnutrition, liver disease, immunosuppressive drugs, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Increased risk of opportunistic infections from normally harmless flora.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- AIDS is chronic and arises from infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- HIV specifically targets and destroys helper T cells (CD4 lymphocytes), leading to a weakened immune response.
- Increases vulnerability to secondary infections and cancers, often with a long latent period.
- Antiviral therapies can suppress disease progression, especially when started early.
Microorganisms
- Microorganisms are small living entities, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
- Nonpathogenic microorganisms are typically harmless and part of the normal flora, while pathogens cause disease.
Types of Microorganisms
- Bacteria: Prokaryotic organisms without a nucleus. Reproduce by binary fission and can survive without a host.
- Viruses: Obligate intracellular parasites that require host cells to replicate; treated with antiviral medications.
- Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms that cause mycotic infections; some are pathogenic, affecting skin or mucous membranes.
- Protozoa: Unicellular eukaryotes, often parasites; common diseases include trichomoniasis, malaria, and amebic dysentery.
- Helminths: Non-microorganism parasites with complex life cycles; examples include pinworms and tapeworms.
- Prions: Infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.
Basic Structure of Bacteria
- Bacteria have rigid cell walls that determine shape and protect against environmental factors.
- Two major types: gram-positive and gram-negative, crucial for determining treatment options.
- Structures include a selectively permeable cell membrane, external capsule, flagellae for mobility, and pili for attachment and DNA transfer.
Toxins and Spores
- Exotoxins: Primarily produced by gram-positive bacteria and can lead to significant tissue damage.
- Endotoxins: Found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria; released upon cell death and can cause septic shock.
- Bacterial spores are dormant, resilient forms ensuring survival in harsh conditions; autoclaving is used for sterilization.
Signs and Symptoms of Infection
- Local inflammation signs: pain, redness, swelling, warmth; purulent (bacterial) vs. serous (viral) exudate.
- Systemic signs include fever, fatigue, headache, and nausea.
Principles of Infection
- Incubation Period: Time from organism entry to first signs of disease.
- Prodromal Period: Early signs often nonspecific, like fatigue and loss of appetite.
- Acute Period: Immune response intensifies, and specific infection symptoms manifest.
Infection Transmission Principles
- Strategies include isolating infectious reservoirs, restricting contaminated food access, and reducing contact between infected individuals.
- Importance of cleaning environments and sterilizing equipment to limit transmission.
Methods of Diagnosis
- Culture and staining techniques, drug sensitivity tests.
- Blood tests indicating leukocyte variations, such as leukocytosis for bacterial infections.
- Immunological tests for antigen and antibody identification.
Antimicrobial Classification
- Antibiotics derived from living organisms target bacteria, while antimicrobials cover broader categories including antiviral and antifungal agents.
- Bactericidal agents destroy organisms, whereas bacteriostatic agents slow their reproduction.
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Description
This quiz covers the development of autoimmune disorders, including the formation of autoantibodies and their impact on the body. It includes specific examples such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Test your knowledge on how these conditions affect self-tolerance and organ systems.
