Exam 1 Concepts - Vol 1 Flashcards
normal flora
microorganisms beneficial/essential for human growth
ex. digestion, synthesis of vitamin K
transient flora
normal flora acquire by contact which can be removed via hand-washing
resident flora
microbes living in deep skin layers which are typically harmless until penetration of deep tissues occurs
ex. open wound, trauma
4 factors of successful pathogenesis
- “virulence” of pathogen (ability to cause dz)
- ability of pathogen to survive in host environment
- number of pathogenic organisms (increased number–>increased likelihood of dz)
- ability of host defense to prevent infection
reservoir
source of infection where pathogens survive and multiply
ex. contaminated h20, human body
carriers
individuals w/o symptoms of dz, but serve as reservoirs and pass dz onto others
portal of exit
method of exiting a reservoir for spread of pathogen; often via body fluids
ex. blood, mucus, saliva, breast milk, urine, feces, semen, vomit, diarrhea
modes of infection transmission
contact (direct, indirect)
droplet
airborne
vector
contact infection transmission
direct = touching indirect = contact with a contaminated object
droplet infection transmission
pathogen travel through water droplets expelled when individual exhales, coughs, sneezes, or talks; may also contaminate objects–>indirect contact
vector infection transmission
organism carries a pathogen to a susceptible host, typically by biting or stinging, which creates
a portal of entry
ex. mosquito is vector for malaria, yellow fever, west nile virus
portal of entry
entry of a pathogen to the body via body openings, open wounds, surgical sites
susceptible host
person at risk for an infection due to inadequate defenses against an invading pathogen
factors which increase susceptibility
age (young, old) breaks in first line of defense (breaks in skin, disruption of NF) illness or injury tobacco use substance abuse increased exposure to pathogens d/t envirornment chronic dz medications invasive medical procedures
local infection
infection of a particular region of the body
systemic infection
infections spread throughout the body via the blood or lymph
primary defense against infection
anatomical features which help limit entry of pathogens
ex. normal flora, skin, lysozyme in tears and saliva, acidity of GI tract
secondary defense against infection
the immune defense activated by the presence of a pathogen in the body
ex. phagocytes, complement cascade, inflammation, fever
tertiary defense against infection
immunity against infection via the presence of antibodies which neutralize/destroy toxins or dz producing organisms
humoral immunity
use of antibodies to destroy pathogens by aggregating to encourage phagocytosis (via B cells or other WBC), neutralizing pathogens via direct attachment, or activating the complement system (inflammatory response)
cellular immunity
direct destruction of pathogen via T cells
B cell vs T cell
B cells from bone marrow create antibodies
T cell made in thymus directly attacks affected cells
factors which promote host defenses
nutrition hygiene rest exercise reducing stress vaccines
medical asepsis
reducing contamination by dz-causing microorganisms
ex. washing hands