Lecture 3: Microbes, immunity and disease

Question 1

Compare case fatality, mortality and case rate

Answer 1

Case fatality : # died/ # of cases with disease
Mortality rate = # who died in a specific timeframe / size of population where deaths occurred
Case rate: # of cases/ # of people in the population

Question 2

What are the similarities and differences on how viruses, bacteria and parasites are recognised

Answer 2

All three are recognised by surface shape and by cells damaged by infection,
However immune system picks up Virus infected cell-> presents antigens, bacteria/ fungal metabolites and life cycle changes in parasite structure

Question 3

What is the pathogen causing Whooping cough, symptoms and what is the duration

Answer 3

Bordetella pertussis bacteria infection,

Symptoms: paroxysm of coughing + whoop, apnoea (temp stop of breathing), vomiting

Question 4

What are the immune effectors important in infections, inflammation, cancer (immunotherapy) and autoimmunity

Answer 4

Antibodies
Cytokines
Cytotoxic T cells
Natural killer cells