Microbiology Quiz on Chlamydia and Pathogenicity

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of women typically show symptoms of the infection described?

75%

85% (correct)

15%

25%

Which of the following treatments is NOT recommended for the described chlamydia infection?

Penicillin (correct)

Azithromycin

Doxycycline

Erythromycin

What is a common symptom reported by men infected with chlamydia?

Bleeding between periods

Immune response to a second infection

Low abdominal pain

Testicular pain or swelling (correct)

Which statement best describes Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

It can cause infections in mucosal membranes and is a true pathogen. Signup and view all the answers

In women, which symptom can indicate an immune response leading to further complications?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of pathogen?

Molds Signup and view all the answers

What does virulence refer to?

The degree of pathogenicity of an organism Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT part of pathogenicity?

Ability to conduct photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What does direct contact transmission refer to?

Transmission from an infected individual to another through direct interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of adhesins in pathogenicity?

They enable pathogens to adhere to host cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes is NOT a common entry point for an invading pathogen?

Hair Follicles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following transmission methods includes sneezing and coughing?

Droplet Transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a determinant of pathogenicity?

Capacity to produce energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of lytic substances produced by pathogens during invasion?

To degrade carbohydrate-protein complexes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes exotoxins?

Highly immunogenic and associated with specific diseases Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism do pathogens NOT use to evade the host immune system?

Producing neurotoxins Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a systemic infection?

Infection that disseminates throughout the body Signup and view all the answers

How do endotoxins typically affect the body?

They cause high fever and shock Signup and view all the answers

Which component is directly involved in the passive mechanism of pathogen entry?

Lesions in mucous membranes Signup and view all the answers

Which type of infection is characterized by pathogens remaining localized to the portal of entry?

Local infection Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method by which pathogens may mimic host molecules?

By producing porins Signup and view all the answers

What is required for gonorrhea to occur in the host?

At least 100 pairs of cells Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is commonly associated with gonorrhea in men?

Painful urination Signup and view all the answers

What is the method of diagnosis for gonorrhea in women?

Swab from the cervix Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the antibiotics used in the treatment plan for gonorrhea?

Ceftriaxone Signup and view all the answers

How does the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea invade deeper tissues?

By endocytosing into neutrophils Signup and view all the answers

What symptom might be mistaken for a bladder infection in women with gonorrhea?

Painful urination Signup and view all the answers

In the treatment of gonorrhea, what alternative form of antibiotic may be considered instead of an injection?

Cefixime Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of untreated gonorrhea in women?

Chronic pelvic pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary form of Chlamydia that is infectious?

Elementary body Signup and view all the answers

How does Chlamydia primarily enter host cells?

Via abrasions and lacerations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a form of Chlamydia that causes disease?

Chlamydia virulens Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathogen is Chlamydia classified as?

Obligate intracellular pathogen Signup and view all the answers

What key characteristic of the elementary bodies makes them effective for infection?

Resistance to environmental extremes Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of a hypersensitive immune response to a second Chlamydia infection?

Blindness and sterility Signup and view all the answers

During its life cycle, what solely determines the infectious capability of Chlamydia?

Phase of the developmental cycle Signup and view all the answers

What essential function do host cells perform for Chlamydia?

Supply ATP for growth Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cell is primarily targeted by Chlamydia for infection?

Cells lining the urethra Signup and view all the answers

What type of infection does Chlamydia trachomatis primarily cause?

Genital infection Signup and view all the answers

What are two common symptoms of non-gonococcal urethritis?

Painful urination and white discharge Signup and view all the answers

What is the main mode of transmission for HSV-2?

Sexual contact Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk factor for neonatal herpes?

Infected mother has lesions during childbirth Signup and view all the answers

Which virus is primarily responsible for causing genital herpes?

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) Signup and view all the answers

How does the herpes virus propagate within the body?

By binding to epithelial cells and causing inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for managing herpes outbreaks during late pregnancy?

Acyclovir Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of serology testing in diagnosing viral infections?

Detecting antibodies against specific antigens Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about condom use related to the spread of herpes is true?

Condoms are not effective in preventing spread Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pathogens

Pathogens are organisms that cause disease.
Different types of pathogens and the severity of diseases they cause vary significantly.
Examples include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Pathogenicity

Pathogenicity is the ability to cause disease.
Related terms include virulence, which measures the degree of pathogenicity for a specific organism.
Key characteristics of pathogenicity include invasiveness, infectivity, pathogenic potential, and toxigenicity.

Determinants of Pathogenicity

A pathogen must achieve specific steps to cause disease.
These steps include reaching the host, adhering to/colonizing/invading the host, multiplying in the host, evading host defenses, and damaging the host mechanically, chemically, or molecularly.

Transmission

Direct contact transmission occurs from host to host (e.g., sneezing).
Indirect contact involves contamination of inanimate objects.
Droplet transmission involves coughs and sneezes.
Food and waterborne transmission is another method.
Vector transmission uses mosquitos or ticks to carry pathogens.

Route of Entry for Invading Pathogen

Pathogens can enter through the skin or mucous membranes.

Adhesion and Colonization

Adhesion is the ability of pathogenic microbes to attach to body cells.
Adhesins are specialized molecules or structures on pathogens that bind to complimentary receptor sites on host cells.
Examples of adhesins include glycocalyx, filamentous hemagglutinin, fimbrae, lectin, pili, S-layer, teichoic acids, and lipoteichoic acids.

Entry of Pathogen (Invasion)

Successful adhesion allows pathogens to invade cells.
This invasion often involves producing toxins.
Toxins attack ground substance and basement membranes.
To penetrate the epithelium, pathogens are involved with cell surface disruption and the degrading of protein-carbohydrate complexes.

Entry of Pathogen (Invasion-2)

Some pathogens use passive mechanisms to enter cells that aren't directly related to the pathogen itself.
Lesions or ulcers form in mucous membranes due to external factors other than the pathogen.
Some organisms can use internalization (endocytosis) to enter host cells.

Toxigenicity (Virulence Factors)

Exotoxins are among the deadliest substances and are associated with specific diseases.
Exotoxins include neurotoxins, cytotoxins, and enterotoxins.
Endotoxins, toxic in large quantities, are highly associated with a host response (i.e., fever, inflammation).
Endotoxins also can cause shock, blood coagulation, weakness, diarrhea, inflammation, intestinal hemorrhage, and fibrinolysis.

Evasion of Host Immune System

Pathogens use various mechanisms to evade the host's immune system.
They can mimic host molecules, develop cysts, and bind to factors in plasma.
Leukocidins cause degranulation of lysosomes.
Some bind to immunoglobulins (by the Fc end).
Lastly, pathogens produce porins to evade phagocytosis.

Infection

Successful pathogen multiplication leads to infection.
Infections can be classified as local, focal, or systemic based on their extent.
Local infection is confined to a small area, often near the entry point (i.e., pneumonia confined to the lungs).
Focal infection occurs when a localized pathogen or its toxin spreads to a secondary area (i.e., a dental infection spreading).
Systemic infection is when an infection spreads throughout the body (i.e., multiple STIs spreading).

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs include different types of infections caused via sexual contact.
Examples of bacterial STIs include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.
Examples of viral STIs include Genital Warts, Genital Herpes, HIV/AIDS, and HPV.
Examples of fungal STIs include Thrush.
Examples of parasitic STIs include Scabies, Public Lice, and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Chlamydia

One of the most common STIs in the UK.
Gram-negative bacterium that lacks peptidoglycan.
Non-motile.
Smallest bacterium with two forms: Elementary Bodies (EB) and Reticulate Bodies (RB).
Intracellular pathogen that requires host cells for ATP production.
Three species cause disease (Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Chlamydia psittaci).
Infects via abrasions/lacerations and limited cell arrays.

Chlamydia Life Cycle

Alternates between intracellular, non-infectious Reticulate Body (RB) and extracellular, infectious Elementary Body (EB).

Elementary Bodies

Small (0.2-0.4 µm).
Dormant; resistant to environmental extremes.
Infective form, enter via abrasions/lacerations.

Reticulate Bodies

Larger (0.6-1.5 µm).
Non-infective, intracellular form.
Replicates through binary fission within phagosomes.

Chlamydia Disease

Enters host cells via abrasions and lacerations.
Infection leads to inflammatory response at the infection site.
Can lead to blindness, sterility, or other sexual dysfunction.
Symptoms: usually asymptomatic in women with an unusual vaginal discharge, pain when urinating, low abdominal pain, and bleeding between periods.
Symptoms in men: typically symptomatic (75%), include a white/cloudy watery discharge, pain or burning sensation when urinating, and testicular pain or swelling.

Gonorrhea

Gram-negative diplococci, True pathogen, Second most common STI.
Infects mucosal membranes of genitals, urethra, digestive tract, cervix, vagina, uterus, rectum, and/or pharynx.
Spreads through the bloodstream and causes infections of joints, heart, and meninges.
Can be passed to a child at birth, infecting the cornea.
Usually sexually transmitted.
Symptoms in men: Insufferably symptomatic, Acute inflammation, Painful urination, Purulent discharge.
Symptoms in women: Often asymptomatic, Often mistaken for bladder infection, Infects cervix.

Syphilis

Specific group work questions in lectures.

Non-Gonococcal Urethritis

Inflammation causes a painful/burning sensation when urinating.
Tip of penis becomes irritated and sore.
White or cloudy discharge.

Genital Herpes

Caused by human herpes viruses (HHV).
Double-stranded DNA, icosahedral capsid, enveloped.
150-200 nm diameter.
HSV-1 (15%) and HSV-2 (85%) cause genital lesions.
Active lesions are a usual source of infection.
The virus enters the body through a break in tissue or a laceration.
Binds to epithelial cells and enters the host cell to reproduce.
Reproduction causes inflammation and cell death.
Infected cells fuse to neighboring uninfected cells. (forming a syncytium), causing a painful lesion.
Type 1 (HSV-1) is usually spread verbally and causes oral herpes.
Type 2 (HSV-2) is usually spread sexually and causes genital herpes.
Neonatal herpes is a concern with fetus and birth; 30% fatality if the infection spreads to cutaneous/oral cells and 80% fatality if the infection spread to central nervous system.

Diagnosis & Treatment for Viral STIs

Diagnosis is based on characteristic lesions.
Direct examination of tissue reveals syncytia.
Serology testing for antibodies to specific viral antigens helps with accurate diagnosis.
Treatment involves antiviral drugs (e.g., acyclovir, valaciclovir, iododeoxyuridine, etc).
Treatment effectiveness is generally 6–12 months after infection.
People with lesions should abstain from sexual intercourse.

Diagnosis & Treatment for Bacterial STIs

Diagnosis includes urine tests or swabs to detect bacteria in host cells.
Treatment commonly involves antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin).

Additional Notes

Group activities cover topics like why penicillin and cephalosporins aren't suited for chlamydia treatment, microbe identification, disease spread and prevention, and treatment plans.

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Description

Test your knowledge on chlamydia infection symptoms, treatments, and the characteristics of various pathogens. This quiz covers essential concepts in microbiology, including virulence and pathogenicity. Perfect for students studying infectious diseases and microbiological principles.