Immunology- disease Flashcards
pathogen
an organism that causes harm to the host (bacterium, virus, fungi, piron, parasite)
infection
transmissible disease often required by inhalation, ingestion or physical contact
carrier
an infected person who shows no symptoms but can transmit the infection to others
disease reservoir
the long-term host of a pathogen showing few or no symptoms, always a potential source of disease outbreak
endemic
disease always present at low levels
epidemic
significant increase in usual number of disease often associated with a rapid spread
pandemic
an epidemic over a large area, crossing international boundaries, affecting a large number of people
vaccine
give weak/dead pathogens/antigens to stimulate an immune response
antibiotic
produced by fungi which diminishes growth of bacteria
antigen
molecule that causes the immune system to produce antibodies against it
antibody
large protein molecules (produced by plasma B lymphocytes) that recognise and neutralise antigens
resistance
where a microorganism should be affected by an antibiotic but is no longer susceptible to it
vector
living organism that transfers disease from one organism to another
toxin
chemical produced by microorganisms which causes damage to the host
antigenic types
organisms with the same or very similar antigens on their surface e.g. smallpox + cowpox
why is the human body a host
at least 10^13 microorganisms living in our body- includes microbes
why can microbes in/on our body help us but also cause disease (examples)
-bacteria E-coli in the large intestine synthesises vitamin K, yet in the stomach or small intestine can cause gastrointestinal disease
-mites in eyelashes eat dead skin cells, so if mascara isn’t removed populations increase too much increasing inflammation
what organism causes cholera
gram-negative, coma shaped bacterium (Vibrio cholerae)
what is the source of infection of cholera
-Food and water contaminated by Vibrio cholerae
-Food and water become disease reservoirs
-ENDEMIC TO CERTAIN PARTS OF THE WORLD
what tissues are affected (symptoms) of cholera
-toxin produced in the small intestine affecting chloride channel proteins.
-causes water and many other ions to not be absorbed into the blood
-causes severe diarrhoea
-causes dehydration so blood pressure falls causing patient to die in hours
what is the mode of transmission of cholera
food and waterbourne
what are the control methods of cholera
-good hygiene + sanitation
-water purification
- better sewage treatment and water purification
-safe food handling and regular hand washing
-vaccines available for high risk
what is the treatment of cholera
-water and ions are replaced by electrolytes
-bacteria treated by antibiotics
what organism causes tuberculosis
-bacillus bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
