Infectious Agents Flashcards
What are the 5 main types of infectious agents?
Viruses Bacteria Fungi Protozoa Helminthes
Example of a pathogenic virus and the disease it causes
Influenza virus, causes the flu
Example of a pathogenic bacterium and the disease it causes
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causes tuberculosis
Example of a pathogenic fungus and the disease it causes
Aspergillus fumigatus, causes aspergillosis
Example of a pathogenic protozoa and the disease it causes
Leishmania spp (parasite), causes leishmaniasis (sand fly vector)
Example of a pathogenic Helminth and the disease it causes
Schistosoma spp (parasites), causes schistosomiasis
Main distinguishing features and replication method of viruses
Obligate parasites, take over host nuclear synthetic machinery, divide by budding out of cell. Can congregate in liver then spontaneously release causing fever spike.
Main distinguishing features and replication method of bacteria
Prokaryotes, replicate by binary fission. 3 types: Bacillus (rod) Coccus (round) Spirillus (spiral).
Main distinguishing features and replication method of fungi
Single-celled eukaryotes. Spores spread and grow. Systemic infection affects immunocompromised people.
Main distinguishing features and replication method of protozoa
Singled celled eukaryotes. May have complex life cycles and multiple hosts, eg malaria with humans and mosquitoes
Main distinguishing features and replication method of Helminthes
Multicelled organisms, flatworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Life cycles outside of host and transmitted by vectors.