30 Questions
What is the main function of proteins in the immune system?
Activate cascades of reactions to cause inflammation
Which cells fall under the category of non-specific defense mechanisms?
Phagocytes
What is the role of T lymphocytes in the immune system?
Attack antigens directly and help control the immune response
Where are B lymphocytes produced and matured?
Bone marrow
Which type of immunity takes over if the innate immune system is unable to destroy germs?
Adaptive Immunity
What activates B cells to become cells that produce antibodies?
T helper cells
Where do transient flora primarily come from?
The environment
What is the mesh-like structure formed by hyphae collectively known as?
Mycelium
Which type of symbiotic relationship involves one organism benefiting while the other is unaffected?
Commensalism
Which component makes up the cell wall of fungi?
Chitin
What is the primary difference between resident flora and transient flora?
Duration of colonization
Where can fungi live and thrive according to the text?
Indoors and outdoors in various environments
Which part of the body has the most diverse and unique flora according to the text?
Mouth
Which type of fungal infection affects the target organs of lungs, skin, eyes, liver, and brain?
Deep Fungal Infection
How does breastfeeding affect the composition of microbiome according to the text?
Affects the composition
When does colonization of microbiota typically begin?
At birth
What is the common mode of action of Azoles, a group of antifungal medications?
Inhibit fungal cell membrane formation
Which of the following is NOT a subgroup of Azoles used in antifungal treatments according to the text?
Ciprofloxacin
What does the term 'epidemiology' mean?
The study of health events in a population
Which root word in 'epidemiology' means 'people'?
Demo
What does the frequency aspect of epidemiology refer to?
The number of health events in a population
Why is the pattern aspect important in epidemiology?
To compare disease occurrence across different populations
What is the purpose of understanding 'determinants' in epidemiology?
To identify the causes of specific diseases
How does epidemiological research contribute to public health?
By preventing and controlling diseases within groups of people
What is sepsis?
A toxic inflammatory condition arising from the spread of bacteria or their toxins from a focus infection
Which of the following must a pathogen do to establish an infection in a host?
Enter host, adhere, colonize, avoid host defenses, damage host
What is a preferred portal of entry for SARS-CoV-2 virus?
Inhalation of infected droplets through the mouth, nose, or eyes
How do pathogens avoid host defenses?
By mimicking host antigens
What happens when a pathogen damages the host?
The pathogen causes harm to the host's tissues or organs
Where does SARS-CoV-2 virus replicate in the body?
In the respiratory tract cells (nose → throat → lungs)
Study Notes
Fungi
- Fungi are composed of hyphae that form a mesh-like structure called mycelium.
- Fungi have a cell wall made up of chitin and polysaccharides.
- Fungi can thrive in various environments, including outdoors in soil and on plants, indoors on surfaces and in the air, and on people's skin and inside the body.
Types of Fungal Infections
- Superficial fungal infections
- Subcutaneous fungal infections
- Deep fungal infections
- Target organs: lungs, skin, eyes, liver, and brain
Antifungal Medications
- Azoles: interfere with an enzyme that's important for creating the fungal cell membrane, leading to cell death.
- Imidazole subgroup: Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole
- Triazole subgroup: Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Posaconazole
Epidemiology
- The study of the distribution and determinants of diseases or disorders within groups of people.
- Concerned with the frequency and pattern of health events in a population.
- Epidemiological research helps understand who has a disorder or disease, why, and how it was brought to this individual or region.
Microbe-Host Interaction
- Symbiosis: living together
- Commensalism: one organism benefits, the other is unaffected
- Mutualism: both organisms benefit
- Parasitism: one organism benefits, the other is harmed (pathogens)
Human Microbiota/Flora
- Microorganisms that normally colonize body surfaces.
- Usually beneficial and important to human health.
- Types of normal flora: resident flora and transient flora.
- Resident flora: microbes that permanently colonize hosts (e.g., E. coli in the intestine).
- Transient flora: microbes that temporarily colonize (e.g., Streptococcus pyogenes in the throat).
Where Do Microorganisms Live on the Human Body?
- Skin and mucous membranes
- External eye (lids, lash follicles)
- External ear and canal
- Mouth (most diverse and unique flora)
- Upper respiratory tract (nose and throat)
- Large intestine
- Outer opening of urethra
- External genitalia
- Vagina
Mechanism of Pathogenicity
- Successful pathogens establish an infection in a host by:
- Entering the host through portals of entry (e.g., skin, mucous membranes, crossing the placenta, parenteral route).
- Adhering and colonizing surfaces.
- Avoiding or overcoming host defenses.
- Damaging the host.
Lines of Defense
- Non-specific defense mechanisms: skin, mucous membranes, phagocytic white blood cells, antimicrobial proteins, and the inflammatory response.
- Specific defense mechanisms (immune system): B cells, T cells, and antibodies.
- First line of defense: skin and mucous membranes.
- Second line of defense: phagocytic white blood cells and antimicrobial proteins.
- Third line of defense: specialized lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) and antibodies.
Adaptive Immunity
- Takes over if the innate immune system is not able to destroy the germs.
- Made up of:
- T lymphocytes (attack antigens directly and help control the immune response).
- B lymphocytes (produce antibodies).
- Antibodies in the blood and other bodily fluids.
Explore the concepts of symbiosis in microbe-host interactions, including commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. Learn about the human microbiota, where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected, and its significance for human health. Discover the types of normal flora and their role in maintaining a healthy microbial balance.
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