Intro to Infection Flashcards
(32 cards)
Define Infection
the invasion of an organisms body tissue by a disease causing agent
Define Pathogen
a bacteria, virus or micro-organism which can cause disease or illness to a host
What do professional pathogens do…..
Almost always cause disease
Define commensal
a relationship where one organism derives nutrients/beenfits from another organism - without damaging it
Define colonisation
when a bacteria grows on a body site exposed to the environment without causing any infection
Define opportunistic pathogens
only causes disease in immunosuppressed patients (Can act as a commensal)
What is our innate immunity comprised of?
Our natural physical barriers such as our skin
What is our adaptive response?
our humeral or cellular reponse
List 3 Healthcare associated infections?
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Enterococcus species (VRE) Clostridium difficle
What does nosocomial mean?
hospital acquired
Antibiotic resistance surrounds which type of bacteria atm?
gram negative
eg. enterobacteriaceae
What is the name for the pathogen which cause the plague?
Yersinia Pestis
What is the name for the tuberculosis bacteria?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
What is the name for the anthrax bacteria?
Bacillus anthracis
What were Koch’s postulates’?
1) A specific MO is always associated with a disease
2) The MO can be isolated from the diseased person and grown in pure culture in a lab
3) The cultured microbe will cause disease when transferred to a healthy animal
4) The same type of MO can be isolated from the newly infected animal
Is bacteria a prokaryote or eukaryote?
Prokaryote
How do bacteria divide?
Binary fission
Can bacteria be mobile?
Yes, using flagella
How are mycoplasma and chlamydiae different from other bacteria ?
They don’t have a cell walls - live inside our cells
What bacteria causes syphillis?
Treponema pallidum
Describe the structure of a Virus
particles of DNA/RNA wrapped in a protein coat and a lipid capsuale
Are Virus’ living cells?
No, and therefore they can’t replicate themselves
What do Virus’ use as a host?
All living cells including bacteria
Do Virus’ have a cell wall?
No
