Key Terminology and Definitions

Question 1

opportunistic pathogen

Answer 1

primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions

Question 2

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 2

• opportunistic pathogen
• significant cause of healthcare-associated infections, particularly in hospital settings – colonize medical devices as well as sinks and showers
• intrinsic antibiotic resistance
• capable of forming biofilms, which are communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix, enhancing antiobiotic resistance by resisting the host immune response
• can survive in diverse environmental conditions (temp/nutrients)

Question 3

Acinetobacter

Answer 3

Acinetobacter baumannii - most clinically relevant
opportunistic pathogen
- significant cause of healthcare-associated infections, particularly in hospital settings – colonize medical devices as well as sinks and showers
- intrinsic antibiotic resistance
- capable of forming biofilms, which are communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix, enhancing antiobiotic resistance by resisting the host immune response

Question 4

coliform microflora.

Answer 4

Gram-negative non-spore-forming bacilli, which degrade lactose into acids and gas within 48 h

Question 5

pathogenesis

Question 6

Pan-resistant klebsiella

Answer 6

= resistant to all drugs​

Question 7

MRSA bacteria and testing for it

Question 8

LPS

Question 9

enteric and subsequent translocation

Question 10

VRSA bacteria

Question 11

VRE (e.g Enterococcus spp)

Question 12

viralence factors

Question 13

receptor mediated colonisation in a bacterial infection

Question 14

toxin

Answer 14

a protein that negatively changes cellular processes
toxigenic effects include:

Question 15

Metagenomic analysis​

Question 16

Symbiosis

Answer 16

interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both​

Question 17

Commensalism

Answer 17

both members may benefit from symbiosis (interaction of organisms),

e.g. gut bacteria are provided the a suitable environmental niche (correct oxygen requirement, source of nutrients etc), host receives vitamins they are unable to synthesise themselves (e.g. K12)​