Microbial Control Terminology Quiz

Definitions

• Vegetative cell: A living, metabolically active bacterial cell.
• Sterilization: A process that eliminates all microbial life, including bacterial spores.
• Disinfection: A process that reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level.
• Pasteurization: A process using heat to kill harmful pathogens in food and beverages without affecting the product’s quality.
• Autoclave: A device that uses steam under pressure to sterilize items.

Chemical Control Definitions

• Antisepsis: A chemical agent used to inhibit microbial growth on living tissue.
• Vehicle: Substance used to to transport a chemical agent, like a drug, to a target area
• Fomite: Inanimate object that can transmit a disease.
• Etiology: The cause of a disease or condition.
• Syndrome: A group of symptoms that consistently occur together, suggesting a particular disease.
• Remission: A period when symptoms of a disease are lessened or absent.
• Resident microbiota: The typical microorganisms that permanently colonize a specific area of the body.
• Antibody: Specialized protein produced by immune system that targets specific invaders.
• Transient microbiota: A group of microorganisms that temporarily inhabit an area of the body.
• Antigen: Substance that identifies a specific object which can bind to an antibody.

Chemical Control Table

• Chemical: Glutaraldehyde
• Mechanism of Action: Damages microbial cell structures.
• Example: Household bleach

Additional Sterilization Methods

• Ethylene oxide: Gas used for sterilization in hospitals.
• Alcohols: Damage cell structures of microorganisms.
• Gamma Rays and X-rays: Damage DNA; create thymine dimers; interfere with DNA replication.

Cidal vs. Static

• Bactericidal: Kills bacteria
• Bacteriostatic: Stops bacterial growth

Susceptibility, Resistance, and Intermediate

• Resistant: Microbes do not show affect to a chemical or drug.
• Susceptible: Microbes are impacted by a chemical or drug.
• Intermediate: Microbes demonstrate an intermediate reaction to a chemical/drug.
  • Zone of Inhibition: area around the disk where bacteria is killed/stopped growing.

Modes of Action and Drugs

Microbiology Questions

• Pathogen A vs. B Resistance: Pathogen A will have a smaller zone of inhibition.
• Broad vs Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics target various bacteria; narrow-spectrum antibiotics target specific bacteria.
• Antibiotic Resistance Factors: Factors contributing to antibiotic resistance include mutations, overuse, and the ability of bacteria to exchange genes.
• Portals of Entry Examples: Respiratory tract (inhalation), gastrointestinal tract (ingestion), genitourinary tract (sexual contact), breaches in the skin (open wound), and transplacental (mother to fetus).
• Signs and symptoms: Observable (sign) and felt (symptom) characteristics of a sickness.
• Biological vs. Mechanical vectors: Biological vectors (e.g., mosquitoes) transmit pathogens; mechanical vectors (e.g., flies) passively transfer pathogens.

Disease Transmission Table

Endemic, Epidemic, Pandemic

• Endemic: A disease consistently present in a population.
• Epidemic: A disease rapidly spreading in a population, surpassing the usual occurrence.
• Pandemic: A disease spreading across international borders, affecting large populations globally.

Immune Defense Lines

• 1st Line of Defense: Physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes) and chemical barriers (enzymes, acids).
• 2nd Line of Defense: Inflammatory response, phagocytes, fever, and antimicrobial proteins.
• 3rd Line of Defense: Immune response, involving lymphocytes (T cells, B cells), memory of pathogens.

Immunization Types

• Naturally acquired passive immunity: Antibodies received from another source (mother’s milk)
• Naturally acquired active immunity: Antibodies generated from exposure and infection.
• Artificially acquired passive immunity: Antibodies introduced from an outside source (injection).
• Artificially acquired active immunity: Antibodies generated from a vaccine.

Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)

Disease Conditions Related to Immunity

Other Diseases/Conditions (from page 9)

• Conjunctivitis
• Keratitis
• Endocarditis
• Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs)
• Cellulitis
• Erysipelas
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Appendicitis
• Acute cholecystitis
• Herpes simplex virus

Risk Factors Table

Microbiology Questions (from page 10)

• Risk factors for endocarditis: Pre-existing heart conditions, dental procedures, catheters, intravenous drug use.
• Conjunctivitis pathogen: Specific pathogen not identified, but blindness could indicate severe cases.
• Meningitis and encephalitis diagnosis: Diagnosis typically includes a combination of symptoms, imaging, and examining bodily fluids.
• Hospital-associated colitis pathogen: The specific pathogen is not mentioned.
• High STIs transmission rates: Factors like multiple partners, unprotected sex, and lack of awareness about infections contribute to high transmission rates.