General Pathology 300 (Infections, cont.) Flashcards
mycobacterial infections
..
what are mycobacteria
Mycobacteria are small, slow-growing aerobic bacteria
what are mycobacteria distinguished by
distinguished by a complex, lipid-rich cell envelope
what are TWO examples of diseases caused by mycobacteria
Diseases caused by mycobacteria include TUBERCULOSIS and LEPROSY.
mycobacteria etymology
myco = “mushroom, fungus,”
Tuberculosis
An infectious, inflammatory systemic disease that affects the lungs
TB, dissemination
may disseminate to involve lymph nodes and other organs.
Tuberculosis, (PATHOGEN?)
Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
tuberculosis, TRANSMISSION and MODE OF ENTRY
Infection most commonly occurs through INHALED DROPLETS
TB, pathogenesis
Once a susceptible person inhales an infected droplet, the bacteria become established in the lungs
and a proliferation of epithelial cells surrounds and encapsulates the multiplying organisms in an attempt to wall them off.
TB, pathogenesis 2
The granulomas eventually become necrotic in the center leading to fibrosis and calcification of tissues.
In later stages of the disease, the bacteria is able to enter the blood and lymph circulation and ultimately colonize distant sites.
granuloma
A granuloma is a tiny cluster of white blood cells and other tissue.
It can appear in your lungs, skin or other parts of your body.
Granulomas aren’t cancerous.
They form as a reaction to infections, inflammation, irritants or foreign objects.
TB mortality
TB kills 3 million people per year (worldwide)
which infectious disease causes the most deaths?
TB
Leading infectious disease cause of death
Represents 1/3 of world’s preventable deaths
TB, SSx
Fever
Night-time sweating
Loss of weight
Persistent cough
Constant tiredness
Loss of appetite
why loss of appetite during infection?
“When you are seriously ill, your body may not be able to use food to build itself up. Because the body recognises that it can no longer use as much food as before, your appetite becomes smaller.”
TB, Dx
culture sputum;
tuberculin skin test
tuberculin define
a sterile protein extract from cultures of tubercle bacillus, used in a test by hypodermic injection for infection with or immunity to tuberculosis, and also formerly in the treatment of the disease.
tuberculin skin test
The test is done by putting a small amount of TB protein (antigens) under the top layer of skin on your inner forearm.
If you have ever been exposed to the TB bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), your skin will react to the antigens by developing a firm red bump at the site within 2 or 3 days.
sputum culture
You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any phlegm that comes up from your lungs into a special container.
The sample is sent to a lab. There, part of it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched for two to three days or longer to see if bacteria or other disease-causing germs grow.
TB, tx
antibiotic cocktail
TB, prevention
vaccination
VIRAL INFECITONS
Viruses are the smallest microorganismS.
They are always pathogens.
They depend completely on cells to reproduce. (OBLIGATE PATHOGENS)
For infection to occur, the virus first attaches to the host cell.
virus, structure
They have an outer cover of protein, and sometimes lipid, and an RNA or DNA core.