Introduction to Infectious Disease Flashcards
Develops rapidly, usually febrile and of short duration (from well to ill in hour or a couple of days e.g. typical pneumonia Streptococcus pneumoniae)
acute infection
Infections that originate from encounters with agents in the environment
infections with exogenous infections
infections that originate from normal microbiota acting as opportunisitc pathogens
infections with endogenous origins
What are the four important gates of entry for pathogens?
respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tract, and breach in the skin
Liste the 6 general steips in the pathogenisis of infection.
- entry of pathogen into the body
- attachment of the pathogen to some tissues into the body
- multiplication
- invasion or spread
- evasion of host defenses
- damage to host tissue
the time between the acquisition of the organisms and the initiation of symptoms
incubation period
period in which non-specific symptoms manifest (fever, malaise or loss of appetite)
prodromal period
the characteristic signs and symptoms manifest
acute specific illness
the ilness subsides adn the patient returns to health
recovery (convalescent) period
The individual remains asymptomatic even though the organism is present
What is the name of a person who can still shed the organism during this type of infection?
Provide two examples of organism that can cause this type of infection
subclinical infection
carriers
(Salmonella Typhi, hepatitis B Virus)
What is an example of a virus that can remain in a latent state and a recurrence of symptoms may recur at a later state?
Herpes labialis (cold sores) caused by herpes simplex virus type 1
A disease with a slow onset that lasts a long time
chronic disease
What are the components of exotoxins and their function?
Provide three examples or organisms that produce exotoxins.
polypeptides consisting of two domains or two subunits: one interacts with the receptor int eh cell membrane of the host cell, and the other possess the toxic enzymatic activity
(cholera, tetanus and diphtheria toxin)
Where is endotoxin found and what reaction does it induce within the host?
part of the lipopolysaccharide of gram-negative bacteria, and in high concentrations can produce exacerbated inflammatory response that can lead to septic shock
develops more slowly than an acute infection but more rapidly than a chronic infection (from well to ill in a week or two)
Provide an example of an agent that causes this type of infection
subacute infection
interstitial pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
develops slowly, milder and wiht long-lasting symptoms (from well to ill in weeks to a month)
Provide an example of an agent that causes this type of infection
chronic infection
tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
normally, these diseases are spread from one individual to another
contagious or communicable diseases
man-to-man: common cold (rhinovirus)
animal-to-man: tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Recovery of hte time-period follwing the illness. This individual may still harbor the pathogen and be a carrier.
Provide an example of an organism that would result in reinfection as well as initial infection through this type of carrier.
convalescence
a source for reinfection (e.g. malaria Plasmodium species) or infection (e.g. typhoid fever; Salmonella Typhi)
State of impaired or abnormal anatomy or physiology e.g. tissue destruction, loss of functio, inflammation
disease or pathology
a disease is more-or-less constantly present in a given geographic area
Provide two examples.
endemic disease
plague (western US)
malaria (Africa)
when occurrence of a disease in a given area exceeds normally expected levels
epidemic disease
organisms not know to inhabit humans without causing disease. In al cases, the ability of bacteria to cause disease is regulated to some degree by th innate and adaptive immune systems.
Frank or strict pathogens
rabies virus, Shigella, Salmonella, Vibrio, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Plasmodium, Yersinia pestis, Bacillus anthracis, and Francisella tularensis
symptoms appear suddenly and intensely; explosive
fulminant infection
due to the activity of a physician or therapy
Iatrogenic infection
infection is confined or localized to a specific site or organ (e.g. boil). Systemic symptoms if present oftentimes involves toxin production.
local infection
infection involving two or more organisms
mixed or polymicrobic infection
originating or taking place in a hospital, acquired ina hospital, especially in reference to an infection
nosocomial infections
worldwide epidemic
pandemic disease
an organism capable of causing a disease or pathology
pathogen
the ability to cause disease or pathology. Highly pathogenic organisms cause very serious or destructive disease
pathogenicity
a sign or symptom that is so characteristic of a disease that it can be use dto make a diagnosis
pathognomonic
pus-forming infection
pyogenic infection
fever inducing infection
pyrogenic infection
an infection that results in puss formation
suppurative infection
pathology involves many body sites or organs
systemic infection
the ability to produce an infection
virulence
diseases transmitted to man from infected animals (the reservoir) often via a vector
zoonosis or soonotic diseases
