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Disease Mechanisms > Microbiology > Flashcards

Microbiology Flashcards

1
Q

What is a pathogen?

A

A harmful organism

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2
Q

What is a commensal?

A

An organism which is part of the normal flora

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3
Q

What is an opportunistic pathogen?

A

An organism that will probably only cause infection in an immunocompromised individual

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4
Q

What is a contaminant?

A

An organism that has got into a culture by accident

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5
Q

What is pathogenicity?

A

The ability of a microorganism to produce disease

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6
Q

What is virulence?

A

The degree of pathogenicity of an organism

(how easily it can cause disease)

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7
Q

What are the two types of fungus?

A

Moulds

Yeasts

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8
Q

Describe the structure of moulds

A

Complex structure, produce

spores (spread in air currents)

hyphae (invade organic tissue)

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9
Q

How do yeasts reproduce?

A

Single cells which reproduce by budding

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10
Q

Can fungi be killed by antibiotics?

A

No

their cell wall is different from that of bacteria

special anti-fungal drugs are required

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11
Q

Which type of fungus is the most common cause of mould infection in humans?

A

Aspergillus spp

Usually affected the immunocompromised

Doesn’t stain with Gram.

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12
Q

Which organism is the commonest cause of fungal infection in humans?

A

Candida spp (yeast)

Stains a large Gram +ve oval structures that replicate by budding (not binary fission)

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13
Q

What are general features of parasites?

A

Vary in structure from single-celled (protozoa) to much more complex organisms

Complex interaction with host - life cycle

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14
Q

Give some examples of parasites

A

Giardia

Schistosoma

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15
Q

What is sterilization?

A

Destruction and removal of 99.9% of micro-organisms and spores

Used for dressings, surgical instruments - anything coming in contact with normally sterile area of the body

May not inactivate prions

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16
Q

Give four methods of sterilization

A

Autoclaves - steam under pressure

Dry heat in oven at 160C for over an hour

Exposure to ethylene oxoid gas

Gamma-irradiation

17
Q

What is disinfection?

A

Removal or destruction of pathogenic micro-organisms enough to make an item safe

Used for medical equipment that doesn’t need to be sterile

Used for hands, patient’s skin (antiseptics)

18
Q

What methods can be used for disinfection?

A

Hot water

Chemicals - bleach, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine

19
Q

How is fever defined?

A

Temperature over 38C

20
Q

How is fever produced?

A

Antigen/endotoxin interacts with macrophages

cytokines released into bloodstream

cytokines travel to anterior hypothalamus

anterior hypothalamus releases Prostaglandin E, increasing body’s thermal set point

Body perceives it is cold and starts to shiver to conserve heat

21
Q

What is sepsis?

A

Small blood vessels become leaky and lose fluid into tissues

Hypovolaemia means that heart has to work harder to maintain oxygenation

Poor tissue perfusion - blood supply to skin, kidneys, liver is shut down

Blood clotting activated - uses up clotting factors - increased risk of haemorrage

22
Q

What are the 5 ways infection can spread?

A

Inhalation

Ingestion

Inoculation

Mother to Infant

Intercourse

23
Q

What is the chain of infection?

A

Pathogenic microorganism

Reservoir

Means of escape

Mode of transmission

Means of entry

Host susceptibility

24
Q

What are the three types of infection control precautions?

A

Contact precautions

Droplet precautions

Airborne precautions

25
Q

What are the WHO 5 moments for hand hygiene?

A

Before touching patient

Before aseptic task

After body fluid exposure risk

After touching patient

After touching patient surrounding

26
Q

What bags are used for domestic waste?

A

Black

27
Q

Which bags are used for clinical waste?

A

Orange

28
Q

What are contact precautions?

A

Gloves

Apron

Single room/cohort bay

29
Q

For which organisms would you use contact precautions?

A

MRSA

C diff

Norovirus

30
Q

What are droplet precautions?

A

Gloves

Apron

Mask (surgical)

Eye Protection

Single room

Ensuite toilet/shower

Vaccination

31
Q

For which infections would you use droplet precautions?

A

Influenza

Clearning up norovirus spills

32
Q

What are airborne precautions?

A

Gown

Gloves

Apron

Eye Protection

Negative Pressure Room

FFP 3 mask (filter mask)

Vaccination

33
Q

For which infections would you take airborne precautions?

A

Measles

Chickenpox

34
Q

How do you remove PPE?

A

Most contaminated first

Reduce touch with surfaces - touch least contaminated part

Dispose of PPE

Wash hands

Disease Mechanisms (9 decks)

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