Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

PIMS Microbiology > Week 8 Specific Organisms > Flashcards

Week 8 Specific Organisms Flashcards

(51 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

A

-Aerobic
-Resistant to many antibiotics
-Slow growing
-Egg-shaped colonies that adhere easily to surfaces in the respiratory and urogenital tract
-Spread via aerosol droplets
-Can cause bronchitis, pharyngitis, or atypical pneumonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Rickettsia prowazekii

A

-Arthropod vector is human body lice
-Humans are the natural reservoir
-Found primarily in crowded areas with poor sanitation
-Causes epidemic typhus or louse-borne typhus
-high mortality rate of about 40%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Rickettsia typhi

A

-Causes endemic typhus
-Symptoms similar to but less severe than those associated with epidemic typhus
-Also rarely associated with a rash
-Transmitted from the rat flea to humans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Rickettsia rickettsii

A

-Parasite found in species of ticks
-Causes rocky mountain spotted fever
-Prevalent in the southeastern US and Appalachia
-Causes a rash on the soles of the feet and the palms that usually begins on the extremities, headache, muscle aches, fever, nausea, and vomiting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Coxiella burnetii

A

-Transmitted via the air from animal to animal via tick bites
-Humans can become infected by consuming contaminated milk from infected cattle or inhaling aerosol droplets when in close proximity to infected cattle
-Causes Q fever
-Associated symptoms include fever, headache, malaise, muscle pain, and nausea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Chlamydia psittaci

A

-Gram negative obligate parasite
-Causes psittacosis (parrot fever)
-Can be contracted from birds such as chickens, pigeons, ducks, and turkeys and is transmitted via inhalation of aerosolized microbes from bird droppings
-Form of pneumonia that causes fever, headache, and chills and other flu-like symptoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Chlamydia trachomatis

A

-Causes inflammation of the urinary tract and a sexually transmitted disease known as lymphogranuloma venereum (chlamydia)
-Can cause blindness and a lesion called a trachoma if the bacteria is spread to the eye
-Spread from person to person, person to fomite, and fly to person and is shed in the feces of infected persons
-Can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, birth defects, and infertility and increase the chance of acquiring HIV if exposed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Vibrio cholerae

A

-Gram negative bacillus with a single flagellum
-Grows in the small intestine and produces an enterotoxin
-Toxin results in high electrolyte levels and the loss of fluids can lead to shock
-Found in contaminated water
-Causes Asiatic cholera or epidemic cholera

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Yersinia pestis

A

-Gram negative bacillus
-Transmitted from rat to flea to human or from other infected animal to human
-Responsible for the bubonic plague (also known as “the Black Death” because of the dark hemorrhage spots presented with the disease)
-Death occurs in less than a week in untreated cases
-Causes hyperplastic growth of the lymph nodes
-Can also cause pneumonic plague

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Klebsiella pneumoniae

A

-Part of the normal gastrointestinal flora
-Resistant to phagocytosis
-Gram negative bacillus
-Often causes respiratory tract infections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Clostridium botulinum

A

-Gram positive anaerobic bacillus
-Produces botulinum toxin which causes food poisoning
-Causes the release of acetylcholine to be blocked and may result in death
-Causes botulism which results in paralysis, cardiac failure, and respiratory failure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Bacillus anthracis

A

-Gram positive aerobe
-Found in water and soil
-Can form endospores and are capable in surviving in harsh environments
-Responsible for causing anthrax in humans
-Usually associated with contact with farm animals
-May be cutaneous, inhalation, or gastrointestinal anthrax
-Not contagious; must be spread via the inhalation or ingestion of B. anthracis spores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Hemophilus influenzae

A

-Gram negative and highly virulent
-Produces a capsule and contains antigens that paralyze cilia in the respiratory tract
-Causes influenzal meningitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Proteus species

A

-Highly motile saprophytic bacteria found in the human gastrointestinal tract
-Commonly cause secondary infections of burns
-Colonies have a unique odor described as “burned chocolate”
-Common species include P. vulgaris which is a common contributor to decomposition and P. mirabilis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Pseudomonas species

A

-Gram negative aerobic bacillus
-Often resistant to antibiotics
-Can cause infections of burns themselves or associated secondary infections
-Commonly attributed to P. aeruginosa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Shigella species

A

-Anaerobic gram negative bacilli
-Part of the normal gastrointestinal flora
-Spread via the fecal-oral route (flies, poor hygiene, contaminated food/water)
-Responsible for causing shigellosis or bacillary dysentery
-Common species include S. sonnei and S. flexneri

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Leptospira interrogans

A

-Spirochete
-Causes leptospirosis
-Usually a disease of animals but can cause liver and kidney disease in humans
-Spread via contaminated waste of infected animals or contaminated water/soil
-Dogs, rats, and other rodents are common reservoirs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Escherichia coli

A

-Opportunistic bacillus that is part of the normal gastrointestinal flora
-Cause enteritis
-Characterized by diarrhea, cramps, malaise, and fever
-Spread via the fecal-oral route

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Campylobacter jejuni

A

-Gram negative bacillus
-Non-spore-forming
-May cause gastroenteritis
-Transmitted via contact with infected pets; may also be sexually transmitted, ingested in contaminated water or dairy products, or ingested in improperly cooked poultry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Helicobacter pylori

A

-Can cause ulcers
-Some pain medications increase the likelihood of ulcer formation
-May also be associated with gastroadenocarcinoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Bacteroide species

Study These Flashcards
A

-Gram negative obligate anaerobes
-Can form endospores
-Membranes contain sphingolipids
-Part of the normal gastrointestinal microbiome
-Can cause many bacterial infections

22
Q

Smallpox

Study These Flashcards
A

-Caused by the variola virus
-Causes lesions to form on the skin
-Transmitted through the respiratory system
-Vaccine available

23
Q

Measles

Study These Flashcards
A

-Caused by the rubeola virus
-Highly contagious
-Spread via the respiratory system
-Symptoms include symptoms similar to the common cold followed by a rash
-Can lead to encephalitis

24
Q

German measles

Study These Flashcards
A

-Caused by the rubella virus
-More mild form of measles
-Usually associated with a rash and a fever
-May lead to encephalitis
-Spread via respiratory system

25
Chickenpox / Shingles
-Caused by varicella-zoster virus (Herpesvirus) -Chickenpox is an acute inflammatory disease associated with the development of lesions on the skin -Can lead to fatal encephalitis and pneumonia -Spread via the respiratory system -Virus can remain latent in the body and proceed to cause shingles
26
Herpes simplex I
-Causes cold sores and can cause corneal infections -Transmitted orally or via the respiratory system -Cold sores may appear during times of stress, overexposure to the sun, and hormonal changes
27
Herpes simplex II
-Causes genital herpes -Sexually transmitted -Characterized by some skin lesions in the genital area but may not be associated with symptoms at all
28
Human papilloma virus
-Most common sexually transmitted infection -Often not associated with any signs or symptoms -Can present with the presence of warts -Vaccine available -Can lead to cervical cancer
29
Influenza
-Acute, viral inflammatory disease -Caused by the influenza virus -Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and respiratory symptoms
30
The common cold
More than 200 viruses are known to cause the common cold
31
Rabies (Hydrophobia)
-Acute infection -Caused by a rhabdovirus -Can be spread via a bite from an infected animal or aerosols of the virus entering the body -Virus affects skeletal muscles and connective tissues before it travels to the brain -Characterized by periods of agitation, spasms of the mouth and pharynx, foaming at the mouth
32
Poliomyelitis
-Caused by the poliovirus -Usually associated with sore throat, headache, fever, and nausea -Leads to paralysis in about 1% of cases -Usually transmitted via contaminated water -Begins multiplying in the throat and small intestine and moves to the lymph nodes -Eventually moves to the blood and affects the central nervous system -Vaccine is commonly used
33
Viral encephalitis
-Inflammation of the brain caused by an arbovirus -Arthropod-borne virus -Mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans -25% fatality rate -Associated with chills, headache, fever, confusion, and coma
34
Hepatitis
-Inflammatory disease of the liver -Spread by 5 separate viruses leading to several types of hepatitis -Several types
35
Hepatitis A
-Spread fecal-oral route -Usually via ingestion of contaminated water or food, no animal reservoirs -Virus lives in the human intestinal tract and replicates in the blood -Virus can survive for days on fomites -Always an acute infection
36
Hepatitis B
-Spread via contaminated body fluids (i.e.blood) -Can be spread via sexual contact and from mother to infant during childbirth -Chronic and sometimes fulminant infection that can lead to death quickly -Vaccine available and recommended for those at risk
37
Hepatitis C
-Spread through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids -No vaccine available
38
Infectious Mononucleosis
-Sometimes called ‘the kissing disease’ or ‘the college disease’ -Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus -Also known as herpes virus 4 -Mostly affects young adults and is sometimes asymptomatic
39
Cytomegalovirus (Inclusion Disease)
-Caused by cytomegalovirus (Herpesvirus) -Virus is shed in body secretions such as saliva, urine, and semen -About 80% of people in the US carry cytomegalovirus -Symptoms in infants can be very severe including fever, enlargement of the liver and spleen, mental or motor disabilities and death -Virus can be latent for a period before emerging
40
Epidemic parotitis (Mumps)
-Infection of the parotid salivary glands -Symptoms include swelling, pain, painful swelling, and a fever -Can lead to meningitis, pancreatitis, and deafness -Can result in inflammation of the testicles in males and rarely sterility -Can lead to inflammation of the ovaries in women -Spread via respiratory secretions and saliva -MMR vaccine available
41
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
-Contagious disease that leads to compromised immunity -Transmitted via body fluids -Leads to AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome -There is no cure but there are treatments available -Spread via sexual contact, contact with infected blood, and from mother to baby -Often associated with other infections such as pneumonia, fungal infections, and other skin and pulmonary infections
42
Dermatomycoses
-Infectious fungi are called dermatophytes -Grow in the keratin of the skin, hair, and nails -Three types of fungi can cause dermatomycoses -Trichophyton -Microsporum -Epidermophyton
43
Coccidioidomycosis
-Respiratory disease caused by Coccidioides immitis -Spores are found in dry, alkaline soils -Highly virulent mycotic pathogen -Wind can carry the spores so just passing through endemic areas can cause infection
44
Histoplasmosis
-Respiratory infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum -Found in the bodies of bats and in fecal material from birds -Acquired via inhalation of airborne spores -Not spread from person to person -Can cause COPD which can be fatal
45
Candidiasis
-Generally only a problem with infants and people with immunocompromised systems -Can cause systemic infections -Candida albicans and Candida auris are common strains -Often multi drug resistant
46
Cryptococcosis (Fungal Meningitis)
-Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans -Often leads to secondary fungal infections -Causes a chronic form of meningitis
47
Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP)
-Pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii -Common in immunosuppressed persons -Often multi-drug resistant -Commonly exists in the lungs of animals like dogs, cats, horses, and rodents -Can lead to respiratory failure
48
Malaria
-Biological vector is the anopheles mosquito -Caused by a Plasmodium species -P. falciparum -P. vivax -P. ovale -P. malariae -Protozoan multiplies in the liver and the red blood cells -Symptoms begin with fever and chills -Eventually can lead to anemia and hypertrophy of the liver and spleen
49
Toxoplasmosis
-Caused by Toxoplasma gondii -Common cause of foodborne illness -Contained in contaminated water or foods that are not properly cooked or processed -Contaminated cat feces can also spread toxoplasmosis -Forms cysts throughout the body in muscle tissue, the heart, and brain -More severe in immunocompromised patients -Can be fatal in these cases
50
Giardiasis
-Caused by Giardia lamblia -Found in water supplies (both natural and in cities) -Can be spread via the fecal-oral route but is usually spread through contaminated water -Results in gastrointestinal symptoms and usually resolves itself within a few weeks -Can become chronic
51
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
-Prion -Causes spongiform degeneration of the brain -Long incubation period -Can be transmitted or inherited -Usually fatal within one year of the onset of symptoms -Very rare disease but no treatment is available

PIMS Microbiology (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions