Introduction to bacterial host-pathogen interactions Flashcards
What is the defention of infectivity?
The ability to colonise and cause infection in a host organism
What is pathogenecity?
The ability to produce in the host organism
What measurement is used for measure pathogenicity?
Virulence with highly virulent pathogens being more likely to cause disease in a host
What are the 3 levels of thinking when it comes to host-pathogen interactions?
Popluation levels- how some varients are more virulent so spread more easily
Individual level- STI, what happensi in an individual infection
Molecualr or cellular level-what needs tohappen for a infection to happen
What are the outcomes after pathogen exposure?
Pathogen-host—> Clearence or colonisation
—–> Symptomatic: cause disease
—-> Asymptomatic: No disease
What are the key variables that influence the outcome of exposure to pathogens?
> The ability of the pathogen to colonise and cause host damage
> Immune status of the host–> lots of stress for cattle for example when milking—> immune system might be weaker?!
> Constant variable and dynamic relationship
> Exposure to the pathogen does not ensure that disease will occur since a host might be able to fight off the infection before disease signs/symptoms develop
What is opportunism in bacteria?
Bacteria which is non-pathogenic which will use the opportunity to enter the host via a surgery
Most of the time will be destroyed
However sometimes might colonise immunologically compromised sites such as a plastic heart valve
What are the main symptoms for Gram negative and positive infection?
Gram negative: diarrheal disease
Gram positive: Skin and throat infections
What are the 3 key abilities that pathogens need to have to be successful?
- Transmit between host
- Colonise hosts
- Cause host damage
What are the 2 transmission pathways for bacteria?
Direct: Skin to skin, sexual intercourse
Indirect contact: Aerosol, Inanimate objects(water,blood,food etc.), vectors (ticks, mosquitoes, fleas)
