Medical microbiology

Question 1

What is medical microbiology

Answer 1

This is the study of microorganisms that cause disease and infection. By understanding pathogens morphology and virulence, we can understand how to treat people affected by pathogens.

Question 2

What are the impacts of microbial infections on human health? Give examples

Answer 2

They can cause pandemics. Examples are the black death, cholera outbreak, Ebola outbreak, and COVID 19.

Question 3

Describe the differences in peptidoglycan layers

What are the classifications of the microorganisms?

Answer 3

There are gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Gram positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan (glycerol and polysaccharides), while gram negative bacteria have a thin layer of peptidoglycan (it contains lipoproteins and a periplasmic membrane). G- bacteria have a lipopolysaccharide layer.
For bacteria there are cocci (spherical), bacilli (rods), vibrio (comma shaped), spirochaete (spiral shaped).

Question 4

Describe the factors contributing to microbial virulence

Answer 4

AIT HHH
Adherence (teichoic acid (in G+), adhesin, capsule, pili) Invasion, Toxins, Host-entry, Host-derived damage, Host defence resistance

Question 5

Identify the methods of laboratory diagnosis.

Answer 5

Urine, blood (search for antigens), faeces, mucus.
Culture - using blood agars and incubating them.
Gram stain - using crystal violet and safranin to stain bacteria
Genetic analysis - PCR for Chlamydia