Introduction Flashcards
Pathogenic
Disease-causing
Symbiosis
The relationship between two different organisms
Commensalism
One organism benefits the other is unaffected
Mutualism
Both organisms benefit
Parasitism
One organism benefits at the expense of another
Strict Pathogens
Microorganisms that are always associated with human disease
Opportunistic pathogens
Microorganisms that are often a part of the host’s microbiome and in most cases do not cause disease but can become pathogenic in certain conditions
Pathology
The study of disease
Etiologic agent
The cellular organism, virus, or toxin that causes a disease
Pathogenesis
The process a microbe uses to cause disease in a host
Infection
The growth of a pathogen in or on a host
Disease
Occurs when an infection leads to disruption of the normal structure or function of any body part, organ , or system
Pathogenicity
The ability to cause disease
Virulence
A measure of the severity of a disease caused by a pathogen
Virulence Factor
A trait of a pathogen that enhances its disease-producing ability
Zoonoses
Diseases passed from animals to humans
Direct Contact
Requires close contact between the infected a susceptible host
Indirect Contact
Body fluids from the infected area are spread by nonliving objects (fomites)
Droplet Transmission
Transmission of bodily fluid via airborne droplets
Vehicle
When a disease agent is spread by an inanimate object or material such as food, water, or dust
Vectors
Animals that carry pathogens from one host to another
Ex. flies
Nosocomial Infections
Infections acquired in hospitals. The patient must have been admitted for reasons other than the infection
Emerging Infectious Disease
One that has appeared in a population for the first time or may have existed previously but is rapidly increasing in incidence and/or geographic range
