LP6 Host Microbe/Epidemiology/Nosocomial Flashcards
Symbiosis
The living together of two different kinds of organisms
Pathogen
Any organism capable of causing disease in its host
Host
Any organism that harbors another organism
Infection
The multiplication of a parasite organism, usually microscopic, within or upon the host’s body
Infestation
The presence of helminths (worms) or arthropods in or on a living host.
Arthropods
Largest group of living organisms, characterized by a jointed chitinous exoskeleton, segmented body and jointed appendages associated with some or all segments.
Contamination
The presence of microscopic organisms on inanimate objects (fomites) or surfaces of the skin and mucous membranes.
Disease
A disturbance in the state of health wherein the body cannot carry out all of its normal functions.
Pathogenicity
The capacity to produce disease.
Virulence
The degree of intensity of the disease produced by a pathogen.
Attenuation
The weakening of a disease-producing ability of an organism
Microbial Antagonism
The ability of normal microbiota to compete with pathogenic organisms and in some instances to effectively combat their growth
Incidence Rate
The number of new cases of a particular disease per 100,000 population seen in a specific period of time. A rate is a unit of %.
Prevalence Rate
The number of people infected with a particular disease at any one time. A rate is a unit of %.
Morbidity Rate
The number of persons contracting a specific disease in relation to the total population ( cases per 100,000). A rate is a unit of %.
Mortality Rate
The number of deaths from a specific disease in relation to the total population. A rate is a unit of %.
Endemic
The first classification of disease based on epidemiology. Referring to a disease that is constantly present in a specific population. (i.e. common cold, influenza)
Epidemic
The second classification of disease based on epidemiology. Referring to a disease that has a higher than normal incidence in a population over a relatively short period of time. (i.e. Polio, AIDS, TB)
Pandemic
The third classification of disease based on epidemiology. An epidemic that has become worldwide. (i.e. coronavirus, cholera, influenza, AIDS, small pox)
Sporatic
The fourth classification of disease based on epidemiology. A disease that is limited to a small number of isolated cases posing no great threat to a large population. (i.e. food poisoning, Legionnaire’s disease)
Mutualism
Both species benefit- humans provide residence for microbes Example: Intestinal flora of human
Commensalism
One species benefits but the other species neither benefits of is harmed Example: Skin flora on humans
Parasitism
One species benefits but the other is harmed parasite benefits from nutrients but it takes nutrients away from the host Example: Tapeworm
Resident Flora
Species are always present on skin, oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, intestinal tract and urogenital tract