Questions and Answers
What are microorganisms?
What is pathogenicity of a microorganism?
Ability of an organism to cause disease.
What is virulence of a microorganism?
Degree of pathology caused by the organism.
What are infectious pathogens?
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What characterizes bacteria?
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What are endospores?
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Classify bacteria based on morphology:
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Bacteria can be tested through ______ staining.
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All fungi are microscopic.
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What is an example of a fungal disease?
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What characterizes prions?
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What virus is known to lead to immune system malfunction?
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What is one of the main divisions of hepatitis?
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What is direct contact transmission?
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What is a fomite?
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What are common transmission methods?
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What is immunity?
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The process of infection includes: ______ stage, prodromal stage, full disease stage, and convalescent stage.
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What actions can be taken for infection control?
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Study Notes
Microorganisms Overview
- Microscopic entities, often invisible to the naked eye.
- Most are non-pathogenic and essential for health; can become harmful if relocated.
- Normal flora (e.g., E. coli) can be dangerous outside their typical environment.
- Pathogens are classified as disease-causing organisms.
Pathogenicity and Virulence
- Pathogenicity refers to an organism's ability to cause disease, indicating its presence.
- Virulence assesses the severity of the disease caused, highlighting the organism's strength.
Types of Infectious Pathogens
- Infectious pathogens include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, prions, and viruses.
Bacteria Characteristics
- Microscopic, single-celled organisms with simple internal structures and essential cell walls.
- Capable of independent replication and can produce spores.
Endospores
- Formed under unfavorable environmental conditions, resistant to extreme conditions, viable for years.
Bacteria Classification
- Classified based on morphology: cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirilla/spirochetes.
- Staining techniques determine bacterial characteristics and types.
Bacterial Diseases
- Diseases include tuberculosis (TB), strep throat, necrotizing fasciitis, salmonella, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Fungi
- Can be macroscopic or microscopic; exist as single-celled yeasts (budding) or molds (spore formation).
- Dimorphic fungi can switch forms based on environmental temperature.
Fungal Diseases
- Include skin infections like athlete's foot, respiratory infections (e.g., histoplasmosis), and systemic infections impacting immunocompromised individuals.
Protozoa
- Unicellular organisms classified by motility: motile (using pseudopods, flagella, cilia) or non-motile (forming cysts).
Protozoan Diseases
- Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes, presents symptoms like fever and chills.
- Toxoplasmosis, associated with cat feces or raw food, poses risks especially to immunocompromised individuals.
Prions
- Cause diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and are linked to mad cow disease.
- Associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, no known cure.
Viruses
- Subcellular organisms that reproduce only within host cells, containing either DNA or RNA.
Viral Diseases
- Includes influenza, common cold, mumps, measles, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS.
HIV and AIDS
- Affects T4 cells, compromising the immune system and leaving individuals vulnerable to infections.
- Over 1.1 million in the U.S. are infected; many remain unaware of their status.
Hepatitis
- Involves liver inflammation, transmitted through blood; standard precautions required in medical settings.
Types of Hepatitis
- Includes Hepatitis A, B (preventable with vaccination), C, D, and E.
Multi-drug Resistant Organisms
- Mostly bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents such as MRSA, VRSA, and multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB).
Reservoirs of Infection
- Pathogens require a living or non-living reservoir to thrive and multiply.
Portals of Exit and Transmission
- Various exit routes include sneezing and coughing; transmission methods include direct contact, fomites, vectors, vehicles, droplets, and airborne particles.
Susceptible Hosts
- Individuals with weakened immune systems, malnutrition, or chronic diseases are more susceptible to infections.
Immunity Types
- Passive immunity (e.g., maternal to infant) and active immunity (body develops immunity through vaccinations).
Infection Process Stages
- Stages: incubation, prodromal stage, full disease stage, and convalescent stage with potential latent phases for some pathogens.
Infection Control Measures
- Vaccination, adherence to post-exposure protocols, standard precautions, and medical and surgical asepsis can prevent infections.
Surgical Asepsis Procedures
- Methods include moist heat (autoclave), dry heat, gas sterilization, chemical sterilization, and radiation for single-use sterile supplies.
Infection Control in Healthcare Settings
- Clean equipment and rooms post-patient interaction; differentiate roles between 'dirty' (patient contact) and 'clean' (equipment handling) personnel.
Newborn Nursery and NICU Protocols
- Strict hygiene practices required before entering to protect immunocompromised patients; thorough hand scrubbing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) essential.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms, their classification, and the roles they play in health and disease. This quiz covers the characteristics of bacteria, the concept of pathogenicity and virulence, and the different types of infectious pathogens. Test your knowledge on these essential biological entities that impact our lives.
