Microbiology Final (Sessions 9 - 20) Flashcards
(275 cards)
What infections are currently at Threat Level urgent?
Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
What infections are currently at Threat Level serious?
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Drug-resistant tuberculosis
What infections are currently at Threat Level concerning?
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA)
What is the meaning of generation time?
Generation time is the time required for microbial cells to double in number.
What is a culture medium usually made up of?
Water, Source of energy (sugar), Mineral nutrients (e.g. N, P, Fe), Certain growth factors (i.e. organic micronutrient) such as vitamins B1 and B12.
Explain how the number of microbial cells in a sample can be enumerated when it is cultured on a medium.
Sample (e.g. blood) is spread on a culture medium and after a few days the number of colonies are counted. Each colony represents a viable cell in the original sample.
If you work with human pathogen you must work under a …………………………………….
Biosafety cabinet
What sterilization means?
Killing all the microbes including the endospores in or on an object.
Microbial control measures fall into two categories:
Physical, Chemical
What is an autoclave?
The autoclave is a sealed device that uses steam under pressure to kill microbes and their spores. Presence of water vapor helps heat to penetrate deeper.
UV is commonly used for sterilizing …………………………….. and …………………..
Surfaces and air
A chemical that destroys all microorganisms, including endospores is called: a- Sterilant b- Sterilizer c- Sporicide d- a,b,c e- a,b
e - a, b
What is the definition of Fungistatic.
Prevent the fungus from growing but does not kill or lyse it.
What is the mode of action of Actinomycin?
It prevents RNA elongation (i.e. RNA production).
Give an example of a narrow-spectrum antibiotic.
Isoniazid (to make it easier, in Figure 27.21 only Tetracycline is a true broad spectrum)
Explain how Interferons can be used as an antiviral drug.
Interferons alarm healthy cells about an existing viral infection in the body so uninfected cells can get ready to prevent viral infection. They also inform the immune system to kill the virus.
Explain how Etest is used as an antibiotic sensitivity test (explain the procedure).
Etest is a non-diffusion-based technique that employs a preformed and predefined gradient of an antimicrobial agent immobilized on a plastic strip. Unlike paper disc, this technique is not prone to the effect of molecular structure of antibiotic (molecular structure of the antibiotic does not affect the inhibition zone).
Why is microbial control important in healthcare?
What you want is to get rid of pathogens
E.g. sterilizing surgical tools
Reducing the spread within a health care setting
Define decontamination.
Treating microbes associated with an item or material so that it is safe to handle.
What is the difference between sterilization, disinfection, and pasteurization?
Sterilization is when all of the microbes are killed, including endospores. Disinfection is when most but not all are killed, enough for it to be safe to handle. Doesn’t mean endospores are killed. Pasteurization is using moderate heat to inhibit the growth of microbes in food or liquid.
What are the main types of physical control methods?
Physical control methods include heat (dry heat sterilization, autoclave, incineration), radiation and filtration. Chemical control methods include cold sterilization, sterilant, disinfectant, antiseptic/germicides.
There are also self-disinfectants (like copper and silver)
What are the general temperatures for each of the physical control methods?
Dry heat sterilization (200) - metal and glass
Wet heat sterilization (121)
Incineration (1000) - prions and medical waste
Describe how radiation works as a disinfectant.
It destroys the genome of the pathogen. Best used on surfaces and air.
Describe how filtration works.
(think vitamins and antibiotics) - uses a filter to screen out the pathogen - it can’t fit through.