Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease

Question 1

Define pathogenicity

Answer 1

The ability of a pathogen to cause disease

Question 2

Define virulence

Answer 2

How ferocious the disease is

Question 3

Define primary pathogen

Answer 3

The pathogen that causes disease in healthy individuals

Question 4

Define opportunistic pathogen

Answer 4

Cause disease when the bodies defence mechanisms are impaired e.g. HIV etc

Question 5

Define carriers of disease

Answer 5

Carry the pathogen but have no symptoms

Question 6

What do virulence factors do?

Answer 6

Aid with the establishment and maintenance of the organism in the host and the disease caused by the organism

Question 7

What are proteases, nucleases and lipases all examples of?

Answer 7

Virulence factors

Question 8

What is the role of the flagella?

Answer 8

To aid motility and fimbrae adherence

Question 9

What is an endotoxin?

Answer 9

The outer layer of the cell envelope of Gram Negative bacteria, made of LPS anchored to the membrane via Lipid A

Question 10

What is an enterotoxin?

Answer 10

An exotoxin that attacks the intestines e.g. e coli, salmonella

Question 11

What is an exotoxin?

Answer 11

A diffusible polypeptide that is secreted by bacteria

It can be fatal if ingested