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Questions and Answers
What is the primary requirement for a pathogen to cause disease?
What is the primary requirement for a pathogen to cause disease?
- To cause damage to the host
- To evade or overcome the host's immune response
- To exit the host and be transmitted to a new host
- To gain access into host tissue (correct)
Which of the following is NOT a type of portal of entry?
Which of the following is NOT a type of portal of entry?
- Eye
- Muscle tissue (correct)
- Mucous membranes
- Broken skin
What is the term for an encounter with a potential pathogen?
What is the term for an encounter with a potential pathogen?
- Infection
- Immune response
- Adhesion
- Exposure (correct)
Which of the following is a major portal of entry that is only present during pregnancy?
Which of the following is a major portal of entry that is only present during pregnancy?
What is the primary location where mucosal surfaces are found?
What is the primary location where mucosal surfaces are found?
What is the term for the process by which a pathogen establishes an infection?
What is the term for the process by which a pathogen establishes an infection?
Which of the following is a characteristic of most pathogens?
Which of the following is a characteristic of most pathogens?
What is the term for the stage of pathogenesis where the pathogen causes damage to the host?
What is the term for the stage of pathogenesis where the pathogen causes damage to the host?
Which of the following best describes the primary routes through which pathogens can enter the body?
Which of the following best describes the primary routes through which pathogens can enter the body?
What distinguishes parenteral entry of pathogens from other entry routes?
What distinguishes parenteral entry of pathogens from other entry routes?
Which statement regarding the placenta as a barrier to pathogens is correct?
Which statement regarding the placenta as a barrier to pathogens is correct?
Which group of pathogens is collectively known by the acronym TORCH?
Which group of pathogens is collectively known by the acronym TORCH?
Why are infants given antibiotic drops in their eyes shortly after birth?
Why are infants given antibiotic drops in their eyes shortly after birth?
What role do enzymes and toxins secreted by pathogens play in their ability to infect?
What role do enzymes and toxins secreted by pathogens play in their ability to infect?
Which of the following pathogens is known to cause listeriosis and poses a risk to fetuses?
Which of the following pathogens is known to cause listeriosis and poses a risk to fetuses?
In terms of portal entry for pathogens, what role does the respiratory tract play?
In terms of portal entry for pathogens, what role does the respiratory tract play?
What happens when one drug or substance reduces or negates the effect of another?
What happens when one drug or substance reduces or negates the effect of another?
What is the outcome when a drug causes harmful or damaging effects to the body?
What is the outcome when a drug causes harmful or damaging effects to the body?
What is the term for when a drug or combination of drugs causes death or has fatal consequences?
What is the term for when a drug or combination of drugs causes death or has fatal consequences?
What type of effect occurs when the combined use of two drugs enhances their therapeutic effect and allows for lower doses?
What type of effect occurs when the combined use of two drugs enhances their therapeutic effect and allows for lower doses?
Which of the following effects results in a more effective treatment at lower doses?
Which of the following effects results in a more effective treatment at lower doses?
What is the opposite of a synergistic effect in the context of drug interactions?
What is the opposite of a synergistic effect in the context of drug interactions?
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Study Notes
Stages of Pathogenesis
- Pathogens must successfully complete four stages to cause disease: exposure (contact), adhesion (colonization), invasion, and infection
- The pathogen must gain entry to the host, travel to the infection site, evade/overcome the host's immune response, and cause damage to the host
- In many cases, the cycle is completed when the pathogen exits the host and is transmitted to a new host
Exposure (Contact)
- Exposure occurs when a host encounters a potential pathogen through food, objects, or other means
- Not all contacts result in infection and disease
- A pathogen must gain access to host tissue through a portal of entry
Portals of Entry
- Portals of entry are anatomic sites where pathogens can pass into host tissue
- Examples of portals of entry include:
- Skin
- Mucous membranes
- Parenteral routes (e.g., needle, broken skin, insect bite)
- Eye (conjunctiva)
- Nose
- Mouth
- Ear
- Urethra
- Vagina
- Anus
- Placenta (during pregnancy)
- Mucosal surfaces are the most important portals of entry for microbes
- Pathogens are often suited to a particular portal of entry based on environmental adaptations and secreted enzymes/toxins
Specific Portals of Entry
- Respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts are particularly vulnerable due to constant inhalation/ingestion of particles containing microorganisms
- Breaches in skin and mucous membranes can provide a parenteral portal of entry
- Placenta normally prevents microorganisms from passing from pregnant person to fetus, but some pathogens (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes, TORCH infections) can cross the blood-placental barrier
TORCH Infections
- TORCH infections are pathogens that can cross the placental barrier to infect the fetus
- Examples of TORCH infections include:
- Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)
- Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
- Chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus)
- Hepatitis B (Hepatitis B virus)
- HIV (Retrovirus)
- Fifth disease (Parvovirus B19)
- Rubella (German measles, Togavirus)
Pharmacological Interactions
- Antagonistic Effect: When one drug or substance reduces or negates the effect of another.
Incorrect Options
- Toxic Effect: A drug causes harmful or damaging effects to the body, often at higher doses or adverse interactions.
- Lethal Effect: A drug or combination of drugs causes death or has fatal consequences.
Synergistic Effect
- Definition: When the combined use of two drugs enhances their therapeutic effect.
- Characteristics: Allows for lower doses, making treatment more effective and potentially safer.
- Scenario: The combination of two drugs results in a more effective treatment at lower doses.
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