Introduction to Medical Microbiology Flashcards
Name the 5 microorganisms that cause infection
Bacteria Viruses Fungi Parasites Prions.
What is a prion?
A microorganism made of protein
Name some common specimen types.
Blood, CSF, urine, sputum, faeces, skin.
What does gram staining allow you to see?
Bacteria, yeast, fungi.
What can you see in a light microscope without gram staining?
Pus cells (urine) parasites (faeces)
Is microscopy rapid?
Yes
Is microscopy sensitive?
No. - as you only see a tiny part of the culture.
Can you see viruses by Light Microscopy?
no.
Name some sterile sights.
Blood, csf, lungs, bladder.
Name some unsterile sights.
Skin, nasopharynx, urethra, gut.
Whats difficult about getting a specimen from a non-sterile sight?
May contain irrelevant parasites and be very confusing.
Is culture slow?
Yes
Is culture sensitive?
Yes.
What is selective media?
Growing a species in a culture that is good for that particular species to grow in , but suppresses other specie’s growth.
What are important things to take into account when growing a culture?
The favourable atmosphere, temperature, incubation period.
What is typing?
A technique to distinguish different strains within a species.
Name 3 methods used in the modern day to detect viruses.
PCR
Antigen Detection
Serology.
What is PCR?
polymerase chain reaction - to amplify DNA sequence.
What is serology?
Examining the blood serum to determine immunity.
Name 2 techniques of detecting viruses which are not used much in modern day.
Cell culture.
Electron microscopy.
How do you identify a species from Bacterial culture?
What are their observable characters?
Typing
DNA based tests.
What is important to take into account when identifying species.
The normal fauna at sight.
The likely pathogens at sight.
What is a parasite.
An organism that lives in or on its host and benefits by deriving nutrient’s at its host expense.
