Podcast
Questions and Answers
What defines an infectious disease?
What defines an infectious disease?
- Microorganisms that utilize a host's resources to reproduce. (correct)
- Microorganisms that reproduce without a host.
- Microorganisms that exist in a dormant state within the host.
- Microorganisms that enhance the host's immune response.
Which of the following statements about microorganisms is correct?
Which of the following statements about microorganisms is correct?
- All microorganisms cause disease.
- Microorganisms can only reproduce inside the host.
- Microorganisms are only harmful during specific seasons.
- Most microorganisms are harmless and do not cause disease. (correct)
Which element is essential for defining the term 'host' in the context of infectious disease?
Which element is essential for defining the term 'host' in the context of infectious disease?
- It must exclusively eliminate pathogens.
- It must provide resources for pathogen reproduction. (correct)
- It must be a microorganism.
- It must exist in a stable environment.
What is the significance of Koch’s postulates in the study of infectious diseases?
What is the significance of Koch’s postulates in the study of infectious diseases?
What aspect of infectious disease transmission is crucial to understand?
What aspect of infectious disease transmission is crucial to understand?
Which age group is most likely to be affected by infectious diseases?
Which age group is most likely to be affected by infectious diseases?
What is a primary reason for the decrease in mortality rates over time?
What is a primary reason for the decrease in mortality rates over time?
Which of the following is NOT considered a major group of pathogens that infect humans?
Which of the following is NOT considered a major group of pathogens that infect humans?
What is the primary goal of 'flattening the curve' during an epidemic?
What is the primary goal of 'flattening the curve' during an epidemic?
In which type of country are individuals more likely to die from infectious diseases rather than chronic diseases?
In which type of country are individuals more likely to die from infectious diseases rather than chronic diseases?
What happens to the immune system as age increases?
What happens to the immune system as age increases?
Why do new diseases, such as zoonotic diseases, continue to emerge?
Why do new diseases, such as zoonotic diseases, continue to emerge?
What does the term 'virulence' refer to in the context of infectious diseases?
What does the term 'virulence' refer to in the context of infectious diseases?
What does the 'epidemic curve' indicate in terms of public health?
What does the 'epidemic curve' indicate in terms of public health?
What is a reason that the immune system may not fully develop in certain environments?
What is a reason that the immune system may not fully develop in certain environments?
What is a defining characteristic of prions?
What is a defining characteristic of prions?
Which disease is associated with prion infection in humans?
Which disease is associated with prion infection in humans?
What is the primary mode of transmission for vector-borne diseases?
What is the primary mode of transmission for vector-borne diseases?
Which factor is associated with increased virulence in pathogens according to evolutionary theory?
Which factor is associated with increased virulence in pathogens according to evolutionary theory?
What is a common transmission method for respiratory pathogens?
What is a common transmission method for respiratory pathogens?
Which of the following diseases is NOT caused by prions?
Which of the following diseases is NOT caused by prions?
What role does the skin play in pathogen transmission?
What role does the skin play in pathogen transmission?
What is a significant requirement for a pathogen to evolve to lower virulence?
What is a significant requirement for a pathogen to evolve to lower virulence?
Which of the following is NOT one of Koch's postulates?
Which of the following is NOT one of Koch's postulates?
Which type of organism is characterized by lacking a nucleus and reproducing by duplicating DNA?
Which type of organism is characterized by lacking a nucleus and reproducing by duplicating DNA?
What characteristic is unique to viruses compared to other infectious agents?
What characteristic is unique to viruses compared to other infectious agents?
Which statement about fungi is INCORRECT?
Which statement about fungi is INCORRECT?
Which group of pathogens includes multicellular organisms that can cause disease in humans?
Which group of pathogens includes multicellular organisms that can cause disease in humans?
Which of the following statements about protozoa is true?
Which of the following statements about protozoa is true?
The majority of viral infections depend on which of the following host characteristics?
The majority of viral infections depend on which of the following host characteristics?
How do helminths typically damage their hosts?
How do helminths typically damage their hosts?
Flashcards
What are pathogens?
What are pathogens?
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease in humans. They include viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, helminths, and prions.
What are the 6 main groups of pathogens?
What are the 6 main groups of pathogens?
The six main groups of pathogens are viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, helminths, and prions.
How does sanitation affect infectious disease?
How does sanitation affect infectious disease?
Sanitation plays a major role in reducing infectious diseases. It helps to prevent the spread of pathogens by improving hygiene practices and access to clean water.
What are the main factors contributing to the decline in infectious diseases?
What are the main factors contributing to the decline in infectious diseases?
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How does age affect infectious disease?
How does age affect infectious disease?
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Low Resource Environment
Low Resource Environment
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Epidemic Curve
Epidemic Curve
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Flattening the Curve
Flattening the Curve
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Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic Diseases
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Virulence
Virulence
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Germ Theory of Disease
Germ Theory of Disease
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Koch's Postulates
Koch's Postulates
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What is the first of Koch's postulates?
What is the first of Koch's postulates?
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What is the second of Koch's postulates?
What is the second of Koch's postulates?
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What is the third of Koch's postulates?
What is the third of Koch's postulates?
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What is the fourth of Koch's postulates?
What is the fourth of Koch's postulates?
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What is a virus?
What is a virus?
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What are bacteria?
What are bacteria?
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Prions
Prions
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TSEs
TSEs
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Kuru
Kuru
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Direct Transmission
Direct Transmission
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Epithelial Cells
Epithelial Cells
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Droplet Transmission
Droplet Transmission
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Vector-borne Transmission
Vector-borne Transmission
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Evolution of Virulence
Evolution of Virulence
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Infectious Disease
Infectious Disease
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Host
Host
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What is an infectious disease?
What is an infectious disease?
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Germ Theory
Germ Theory
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course: Anthropology 243, Medical Anthropology: Human Biology and Health
- Course year: Fall 2024
- Textbook: Medical Anthropology: A Biocultural Approach, 4th Edition, by Andrea S. Wiley and John S. Allen
Announcements
- Exam 2 grades will be posted by Thursday.
- Exam 3 is Tuesday, December 10th, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in LH 8 (60 minutes).
- Students with more than two exams within a 24-hour period can request a makeup exam. The professor teaching the largest section of the course will arrange the makeup.
Schedule
- Schedule up to Thanksgiving Break.
- Tuesday, November 12th: Introduction to Infectious Diseases (Chapter 8).
- Thursday, November 14th: Guest lecture by Meg Gauck on Colonialism and Tuberculosis.
- Tuesday, November 19th: The Immune System.
- Thursday, November 21st: Film Discussion: Bending the Arc.
- Tuesday, November 26th: No class (Friday classes meet).
- Thursday, November 28th: No class (Thanksgiving Break).
Infectious Disease I (Wiley & Allen Ch. 8)
- Textbook chapter: Wiley and Allen, Chapter 8: 240-248
- What is infectious disease?
- Epidemiology
- Germ theory and Koch's postulates
- Types of infectious diseases
- Infectious disease transmission
What is an Infectious Disease?
- Microorganisms use hosts' resources for reproduction, disrupting the immune response or physiology.
- Host: the organism the infection targets.
- Most microorganisms don't cause disease. Pathogens (germs) do.
- Six major pathogen groups that infect humans: viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, helminths, and prions.
- Exposure and susceptibility vary.
Deaths from Major Infectious Diseases
- Data showing declines in deaths from infectious diseases over time, correlating with the introduction of vaccines and treatments.
- Life expectancy has increased significantly.
Top 10 Causes of Death Globally (2021)
- Leading causes in 2021: Ischemic heart disease, COVID-19, Stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Lower Respiratory Infections, Trachea, Bronchus, Lung Cancers, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Diabetes Mellitus, Kidney Diseases, and Tuberculosis.
- Differences in mortality rates exist based on the income level of the country (more infections among low/middle income).
Low-Income Countries Death Causes (2021)
- Leading causes: Lower respiratory infections, Stroke, Ischemic heart disease, Malaria, Preterm Birth Complications, COVID-19, Diarrhoeal diseases, Tuberculosis, Birth asphyxia and birth trauma, and HIV/AIDS.
Lower-Middle Income Countries Death Causes (2021)
- Leading causes: COVID-19, Ischaemic heart disease, Stroke, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Lower respiratory infections, Tuberculosis, Diarrheal diseases, Diabetes mellitus, Cirrhosis of the liver, and Preterm birth complications.
High-Income Countries Death Causes (2021)
- Similar to global trends, but with chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer being the leading causes.
What Age Group is Most Affected?
- Causes of death for children under five: Prematurity, Acute respiratory infections, Birth asphyxia and birth trauma, Congenital anomalies, Diarrhoea, Neonatal sepsis, Injuries, Malaria, Meningitis/encephalitis, Measles, HIV/AIDS, and Tetanus.
Top 10 Causes of Death in the US (2023)
- Leading causes in US 2023: Heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and COVID-19.
Epidemic Curve
- Epidemic: a rise in the incidence of a disease in a population.
Flattening the Curve
- Healthcare systems must accommodate capacity to handle spreading infections. Slowing the rate of spreading is key.
Why Do We Still Have Infectious Diseases?
- Conflicts between pathogens and hosts.
- Pathogen vs. human evolution (pathogens reproduce faster).
- Novel environments—like antibiotic resistance.
New Diseases
- Zoonotic diseases: transferred from animals to humans.
Changes in Virulence
- Virulence: severity of a disease caused by a pathogen.
How do we know that a set of symptoms result from an infection?
- Koch's Postulates are the criteria we use to determine if a disease is infectious.
Classes of Infectious Disease
- Viruses, Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Helminths, and Prions
Viruses
- DNA or RNA surrounded by protein.
- Obligate parasites that can't complete their life cycle without a host.
- Mimic host cell proteins to gain entry.
- Hosts are carriers of the infections.
Bacteria
- Single-celled prokaryotes (no nucleus)
- Reproduce by duplicating their DNA and dividing.
- Over 400 genera; 40 known to cause human disease.
- 10x the number of bacterial cells compared to human cells.
- Significant diversity in survivability outside the host
- Variety in form (spores, flagella, pili)
- Able to survive in a variety of environments (aerobic, anaerobic)
Protozoa
- Single-celled eukaryotes with a nucleus.
- Able to evade host immune systems.
- Infections are difficult to treat; cellular structures similar to the host.
- Variability in reproduction and growth stages (different organs, intermediate species, vector transmission).
- Vector= agent that carries and transmits pathogen.
Fungi
- Eukaryotes with a nucleus.
- 70,000 species; few harmful to humans.
- Low virulence unless the host is immunocompromised.
- Highly variable (yeasts, spores).
Helminths (Worms)
- Multicellular organisms
- 3 types cause human disease (roundworms, tapeworms, flukes).
- 50% of global population is infected today (historic high).
- Difficult to treat (tough outer coatings).
- Transmission through intermediate hosts (water, soil, food).
Prions
- Infectious proteins, rather than DNA/RNA
- Unknown replication mechanism.
- Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), a group of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Human (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Kuru)
- Animal (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Scrapie).
- Transmission can be through exposure to infected brain tissue or spinal fluid
How are Pathogens Spread?
- Direct transmission (contact).
- Droplet transmission (less than 1 meter).
- Vector-borne (insects, animals, contaminated objects).
Evolution of Virulence
- Factors affecting pathogen virulence:
- Intermediate disease vectors
- Transmission (mobile host vs non-mobile host)
- Casual human-to-human transmission
Next Time
- Guest lecture from Meg Gauck.
- Attendance and participation required.
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