Bacterial Infections Flashcards
disease
damage to the host, usually with manifestation of symptoms
infection
successful colonization of the host by a microorganism capable of causing damage to the body (disease)
colonization
the capacity of a microorganism to attach and multiply at a particular site in the host, sometimes asymptomatic
pathogen
a microorganism capable of colonizing a host and causing disease
virulence
the ability of a microorganism to cause disease
virulence factor
a product or strategy that contributes to a microorganism’s virulence
opportunist
a microorganism capable of causing disease, but only when the defenses of the host are compromised
nosocomial infection
infection acquired in a hospital
community-acquired infection
infection acquired outside the hospital
outbreak
increase of the number of cases above normal at a particular time and place
sporadic cases
cases of disease appearing randomly in time and space, without any clear connection between them
zoonosis
animal disease that can be transmitted to humans
Koch’s Postulates
- the suspected germ must be present in every case of the disease
- the germ must be isolated and grown in pure culture
- the cultured germ must cause the disease when it is inoculated into a healthy, susceptible experimental host
- the same germ must be reisolated from the diseased experimental host
limitations of koch’s postulates
- assume symptoms are caused only by the microbe
- assume the bacteria can be cultured in the lab
- not all strains of the same species cause the same disease
- reinoculation into a susceptible host might be problematic (esp. in human-specific) diseases
- do not account for genetic difference between hosts
germ theory
recognition that some diseases are caused by microorganisms. Preventing exposure to microorganisms prevents disease
