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Infectious Diseases Flashcards

1
Q

How can infections be transmitted

A

Either human to human or animal to human

Via direct contact or indirect contact (surface then person)

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2
Q

Disease can be caused by

A

Microorganisms such as:
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protozoa (single celled, causes malaria & dysentery)

Or
Multicellular organisms

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3
Q

Microorganisms are either

A

Pathogenic
Or
Non pathogenic (10 times as many bacteria as body cells)

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4
Q

Commensal microbe relationship

A

Symbiotic relationship between organisms where one benefits & the other is unaffected e.g microbes on skin

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5
Q

Mutualistic microbe relationship

A

Symbiotic relationship between organisms whereby both benefit e.g E. coli makes vitamin K for humans & we offer perfect environment to thrive

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6
Q

Parasitic microbe relationship

A

Symbiotic relationship between organisms where one benefits at the others expense e.g head lice

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7
Q

Opportunistic microbe relationship

A

Symbiotic relationship between organisms which is initially commensal/mutualistic then becoming parasitic e.g candida

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8
Q

Light microscope vs electron

A

Light = Most whole microorganisms

Electron = very small eg viruses

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9
Q

What is bacilli

A

Rod shaped bacteria
Eg E coli

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10
Q

What is cocci

A

Spherical shaped bacteria
Eg streptococci

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11
Q

What is spirochetes

A

Spiral shaped bacteria

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12
Q

What is gram staining

A

Helps categorise bacteria via staining

Gram positive = purple
Gram negative = pink

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13
Q

What are gram positive bacteria

A

Thick mesh like Type of cell wall
Made of peptidoglycan

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14
Q

What are gram negative bacteria

A

Thin cell wall with outer lipid-rich membrane
Made of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) - which is released when die which can cause bad effects

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15
Q

How do bacteria reproduce

A

Asexually via binary fission
Rapid cell division ‘copies’
Eg E coli can divide in as little as 20 mins

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16
Q

Define spore

A

A structure that is resistant to hostile conditions such as heat & disinfectants

Dormant life form

Found in bacteria, fungi, protozoans

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17
Q

What are exotoxins

A

Released by living microbes, gram positive & negative bacteria

Very toxic eg protein toxins
have a variety of effects on bodily functions

Eg diptheria (inhibits protein synthesis in pharynx), E coli, tetani, botulinum toxin

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18
Q

What are invasive enzymes

A

Enzymes produced by bacteria that help them invade a host eg haemolytic streptococci

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19
Q

What are endotoxins

A

Released by LPS bacteria, gram negative
Released after organism death from cell wall

Often causes fever/malaise & stimulate inflammatory cascade
Usually less toxic
Eg salmonella

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20
Q

What is microflora

A

Encompasses naturally occurring microorganisms inhabiting the healthy human body - mostly bacteria

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21
Q

Where should bacteria be present in the body

A

Nasal cavity, skin, mouth, small & large intestine, vagina & perineum (between vag & anus)

Can become pathogenic if local environment changes or compromised immune system ‘opportunistic’

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22
Q

Where should bacteria not be present in the body

A

Blood, csf, lungs, stomach, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovary, bladder & kidneys

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23
Q

Complications of antibiotic overuse

A

Leads to more side effects & antibiotic resistance

Higher risk of diseases including asthma & inflammatorry bowel diseases

Side effects include: impaired immunity, candida (yeast) overgrowth (due to loss of flora), diarrhea etc

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24
Q

What are viruses

A

Obligate intracellular parasites - need a living host for survival & replication
Arguable if even alive

Not cells but rather consist of either a strand of RNA or DNA in a hard protein coat ‘capsid’ which is unique to each virus

So small said 500 million rhinoviruses could fit a head on the head of a pin

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25
DNA viruses are
Mostly double stranded Include varicellar zoster, herpes, smallpox
26
RNA viruses are
Measles, mumps, HIV
27
How do viruses reproduce
Injecting their own RNA or DNA strand into a living host cell, leaving capsid outside & then using host cells apparatus for reproduction Generally bursts host cell as leaves it Unique because can only multiply inside cells of other living things Only infect certain hosts, express specificty due to surface viral proteins eg muscles, nerves etc
28
Why are viruses difficult to destroy
1. Hide inside host cells (can be latent) which is difficult for body to identify 2. Do not have own metabolism - hence antimicrobial agents cant target specific enzymes 3. Do not have many structures - not much to target 4. Ability to mutate & change surface antigens - means avoids host immune response eg flu
29
What is viral lysis
Virus particles burst out host cell into extracellular space resulting in death of host cell
30
What is viral budding
Virus exits a cell & acquires a piece of host cells outer membrane causing cell death (protective layer for virus) Used in viruses that need this envelope eg HIV
31
What is viral latent stage
Stage of infection where disease is present but hidden & inactive Can remain in latent stage for years Eg herpes simplex, chicken pox etc
32
What is found in fungi cell wall
Melanin
33
Mycosis means
Fungal infection Usually very resistant but are opportunistic
34
What are yeast fungi
Single celled fungus that reproduce by budding Eg candida albicans
35
What are mould fungi
Multicellular Some cause disease eg aspergillus (lung disease) Others used in food & medicine production eg penicillium
36
What are dermatophytes
Fungus causing skin disease Obtain nutrients from keratin in skin (no living tissue invaded) & colonise in stratum corneum Only fungus dependent on humans Eg Tinea (causes athletes foot)
37
What are hyphae
Fungal filaments
38
What are mycelium
‘Mesh’ of intertwined filaments Multicellular living structure
39
How does asexual v sexual fungal reproduction occur
Asexual = occurs via budding, extension of hyphae, containing chromatin that eventually detach & develop into an independent organism Sexyal = less common & occurs via fungal spores
40
Protozoa are
Eukaryotic organisms Exist as single cells & have no cell wall, just a membrane Live in moist environments eg water, soils, ocean Move either via flagella (tail), cilia (hairs) or vector (intermediary carrier eg mosquito) Reproduce either via binary fission & budding Can occur sexually or form cysts but only in unfavourable environments
41
What are helminths
Eukaryotic & macroscopic multicellular organisms Parasitic worms usually intestinal parasites but can be in blood or tissue too Life cycle egg, larvae, adult
42
Epidemic
Where infections occur in larger groups
43
Pandemic
Worldwide infection occurring
44
Endemic
Infections restricted to a specific area
45
Reservoir
Location the pathogen exists, reproduces & spreads to new hosts
46
Carrier
Infected individuals who are asymptomatic
47
Vector
Intermediate carrier, transporting pathogens from reservoir to host
48
Host
An infected person or animal
49
Nosocomial transmission
Acquired from a medical setting (hospital or care facility) e.g surgical site, UTIs, pneumonia, ulcers
50
How can infection be acquired (note not transmitted!)
Ingestion Direct to blood stream Sexual intercourse Inhalation Touch Placental
51
Incubation period
Time interval between initial exposure to infecting organism & appearance of first signs or symptoms produced, non-specific usually
52
Prodromal infection period
Interval from non-specific symptoms (malaise, fever, fatigue) to more specific acute symptoms
53
Methods of infection control
- reducing reservoir - stop droplet transmission (gloves, covering mouth) - handwashing, condoms etc - killing organism - sterilisation
54
What is a dermatome
Distribution of skin supplied by a nerve
55
Serious complication of infectious diseases
Sepsis/septicaemia Pathogen infected the blood causing injury to body’s own organs, potentially leading to multi-organ failure Higher risk in elderly >75, very young <1, alcoholics, diabetics, chemotherapy patients, immune compromised eg HIV
56
Sepsis symptoms
Lethargy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, coughing
57
Diagnostic testing methods for infectious disease
1. Culture/staining (pink for exo, purple endo) 2. Blood tests - ESR, leukocytes 3. Stool test 4. Radiography - Xrays, MRI etc
58
What are cellulitis & erysipelas & impetigo
Bacterial infections of skin , inflammation found in dermis & upper subcutaneous Impetigo = pustules, grow larger daily, yellow/golden crusts
59
What is the anti-candida protocol
For oral & genital candidiasis Usually presents after broad spectrum antibiotics/immune compromised Remove carbs that feed yeast, supplement apple cide vinegar, coconut oil, manuka honey, turmeric, garlic/grapefruit seed extract/tea tree/ oregano oil gargle
60
What is lyme disease
Caused by bacterium ‘Borelia’ transmitted by tick bites Circular pink/red rash radiates from bite 3-36 days to form Flu-like symptoms Disease complications neurological, cardio & arthritis
61
What is diphtheria
Highly contagious upper respiratory tract bacterial infection Gram positive bacteria = exotoxins cause endothelial necrosis by inhibiting protein synthesis - severe complications! Typical grey membrane grows across the tonsils/pharynx or nose DPT vax introduced
62
What is scarlet fever
Streptococcus bacterial infection - secrete exotoxins & haemolytic enzymes which cause typical red rash (blanches under pressure) 90% cases children <10 3-4 days incubation First 2 days white tongue with red papillae after this raw red
63
What is chicken pox
Highly infectious viral disease 90% occurring in childhood Varicella-zoster (part of herpes fam) 2-3 weeks incubation, approx 2 weeks duration prodromal fever & malaise Vesicular eruptions pruritic appear over 3-5 days, infective 2 days before until crusting lesions Sever itching can lead to serious secondary complications, infection, encephalitis, viral pneumonia
64
What is shingles
Reinfection following chicken pox infection in immune compromised Virus travels down infected nerve causing neuritis Commonly thoracic/trigeminal Burning, itching/tingling severe Then eruptive rash in affected dermatome
65
What is whooping cough
Bacterial infection with characteristic coughing attacks with desperate attempt to breathe in, creating ‘whooping’ Initial 1-2 weeks cold/flu like symptoms Then a cough unresponsive to normal meds Cough progresses worse with attacks 3-6 weeks
66
What is tuberculosis
Systemic infection caused by pyogenic bacteria, resistant to adherence, a chronic granulomatous disease 75% affects lungs because highly aerobic - oxygen loving Fever, chronic cough, purulent/bloody sputum, severe drenching night sweats Raised ESR & leukocytes in blood test 6 month antibiotic
67
Pathophysiology of tuberculosis
Macrophages in lungs engulf bacteria & carry to lymph nodes Some organisms can spread to distant areas 80% ‘granulomas’ formed will be eliminated by immune system If not, bacteria can become active immediately, later or remain dormant Spread via droplets, inspiration of dust & dry excretions, contaminated milk ! Bovine TB
68
Explain pathophysiology of HIV
Virus binds to CD4 receptors, which are found on T-helper cells & macrophages Viral envelope & host cell membrane fuse & RNA enters the cell Converted by enzyme ‘reverse transcriptase’ into viral DNA. Using enzyme ‘integrase’ it integrates into the host cell DNA Viral DNA forces host cell to produce viral RNA & proteins. Once substantial amount produced, they assemble in the cytoplasm & bud off, rupturing host As viral load increases, T-cell CD4 count decreases
69
What is measles & koplik spots
Acute infectious viral disease mainly in children Non-specific cold symptoms followed by ‘koplik spots’ small grey spots on oral mucosa opposite molars Eruptive phase face rash to rest of body, fades within 1 week contagious 4 days before and after Mmr vax
70
What is mumps & complication
Viral infection affecting exocrine glands causing swelling of parotid/salivary glands 30% males post puberty get testicular inflammation = sterility
71
What is rubella & complications
Rare, usually harmless viral infection passes unnoticed Sore throat, petechiae on hard palate, pink rash with small macules start on face & behind ears Pregnancy can cause abnormal foetal development & miscarriage
72
Different types of hepatitis & complication
Viral infection of liver A & E = faecal-oral B, C, D = blood & bodily fluids Pre-icteric stage = malaise & diarrhoea Icteric = jaundice, dark urine, pruritic skin (insufficient bile salt secretion), enlarged liver, impaired blood clotting 85% Hep C becomes chronic: cirrhosis/cancer
73
What is poliomyelitis
Poliovirak infection Faeco-oral transmission Targets anterior horn cells of CNS (motor) & no cure 90% asymptomatic Fever fatigue, 1% paralysis 5-10% die respiratory failure
74
What kind of virus is HIV
An STI retrovirus = double strand RNA virus (can convert from RNA to DNA in host cell using REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE) Dies quickly outside body Transmissable through blood & semen, high risk unprotected anal 6-7% IV drug use Mothers increade risk during birth/pregnancy/breastfeeding
75
HIV diagnosis
Blood test for antibodies - delay in appearance (2 weeks-6 months!) during tests can be inaccurate Babies have antibodies not necessarily + Inital stage 1-2 post-infection = 50% asymptomatic, flu/glandular fever Late stage = CD4 drop, rise in viral load, opportunistic infections, anaemia anorexia cachexia neurological disease peripheral neuropathy cytopenias HIV dementia
76
What is cachexia
Weight loss & muscle wasting HIV sign
77
Opportunistic infections in HIV as CD4 count lowers
<500 = herpes, candidiasis, kaposi’s sarcoma <200 = toxoplasmosis, pneumonia, AIDS <50 = severe mycobacterium infections, HIV dementia
78
What is HAART therapy
Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy Slows down viral replication Variety of side effects due to high drug toxicity - overloading liver Currently No cure
79
When does AIDS usually present
Later stages of HIV when severely impaired immune system & life-threatening infections occur CD4 = <200 Non-transmissable Eg recurrent pneumonia, active TB, candida, lymphoma, cancer, shingles, kaposis sarcoma, cytomegalovirus, salmonella
80
What is Kaposi’s sarcoma
Blood vessel cancer

Biomed2 (9 decks)

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