Microbiology Flashcards
micro objectives
Infection
Organism present and multiplying in host tissues usually leading to immune response. May or may not cause symptoms.
Colonization
Presence of bacteria on a host without producing disease. Comes and goes, asymptomatic.
Infectivity
Ability of a microbe to cause infection in a susceptible host. May or may not cause symptoms.
Pathogenicity
Ability of a microbe to cause disease. Disease is defined by signs and symptoms.
Virulence
Degree of pathogenicity within a specified group which depends on both bacterial and host factors. Some diseases more virulent in an immunocompromised host, or neonates, pregnant women, etc.
Example of High infectivity, low virulence?
Rhinovirus
Example of high infectivity, high virulence?
Ebola
Example of low infectivity, low virulence?
Certain HPV (non cancer causing)
Example of low infectivity, high virulence?
Tuberculosis
Characteristics of prokaryotes?
- E.g. Algae/fungi/plants/animals
- Cell wall: Absent or chitin/cellulose
- Nuclear structure: present
- Cytoplasm: Mitochondria/chloroplasts
- Motility: Flagella complex/others
- Energy: Mitochondria
- Sexual reproduction: present
- Recombination: Diploid formed by haploids, meiosis with recombination
Characteristics of prokaryotes?
- Bacteria/algae
- Cell wall: peptidoglycan/lipids
- Nuclear structure: absent
- Cytoplasm: No organelles
- Motility: Flagella
- Energy: Membrane associated
- Sexual reproduction: Absent
Recombination: Chromosomal/plasmid transformation, transduction, conjugation
Gram positive characteristics?
- Only cone cell membrane
- Thick layer of peptidoglycan making 90% of cell wall.
- Stains dark purple
Gram negative characteristics?
- Outer and inner membrane
- Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) anchored in outer membrane
- Stains pink
Gram stain?
Determine presence of outer membrane.
Positive purple. Negative pink.
Acid-fast stain?
Acid-fast organisms characterized by wax-like, nearly impermeable cell walls. Contain mycolic acids and large amounts of fatty acids, waxes, and complex lipids
Coagulase test?
Different staph. aureus (positive) from coagulase negative Staph (CONS). Coagulase is an enzyme produced by S. aureus that converts soluble fibrinogen in plasma to insoluble fibrin.