Microbiology Exam Final Review Flashcards
(155 cards)
What is the definition of infection?
entry or growth of mircoorganisms of a host and can have one of two outcomes
What are the two possible outcomes of infection?
- disease: microorganism produces symptoms and causes damage
- colonization: when microorganisms persist without causing disease
What is the difference between a primary pathogen and an opportunistic pathogen?
- Primary pathogen: regularly causes disease in at least some individuals with normal defenses
- Opportunistic pathogen: usually doesn’t cause disease except in people with compromised defenses (p. originosa)
What is the definition of virulence?
Degree of pathogenicity
What is a virulence factor?
- specific properties of a pathogen that promote infection/disease
- high resistance to pathogen=means pathogen has a low virulence
From an ecological perspective, what types of symbiotic associations between different organisms can occur, and what type does a pathogen host interaction represent?
Symbiosis:
- ecological perspective on an disease
- 2 or more organisms living together in close association
Mutualism, commensualism, parasitism
Mutualism
both organisms benefit (ex, lichens)
Commensualism
one organism benefits and other is not affected (ex. bactria in GI tract)
Parasitism
- One organism benefits (parasite) at expense of other (host)
- changes in parasite or host may alter balance between health and diseases
What are the portals of entry into the host?
- microbial entry into host
- 1st step in infection
Examples: respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, skin wounds, eyes and ear, placenta
What are the specific virulence factors discussed in lecture?
capsule, toxin, toxin: a. endotoxin, toxin: b. exotoxin, extracellular enzymes
What 2 microbial activities do many virulence factors promote during growth and spread of the microbe within the host?
- scavenge nutrients (e.g., siderophores)
- penetrate host tissues (e.g., invasins)
- counter host defenses (e.g., IgA proteases)
What is the difference between endotoxin and exotoxins?
- endotoxin is a lipopolysaccharide: Shedding of endotoxin induces fever (Salmonella tyhi)
- exotoxin is a soluble protein
What are the five different types of exotoxins discussed in lecture?
botulinum neurotoxin, cholera enterotoxin, diphtheria cytotoxin, hemolysins, leukocidins
Exotoxin botulinum neurotoxin
blocks neurotransmitter release (Clostridium botulinum)
Exotoxin cholera enterotoxin
promotes massive fluid loss from intestinal epithelium (Vibrio cholerae)
Exotoxin diphtheria cytotoxin
kills cells by inactivating translation
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Exotoxin hemolysins
lyse red blood cells by forming pores in membranes (Streptococcus pyogenes)
Exotoxin leukocidins
lyse white blood cells by forming pores in membranes
Staphylococcus aureus
How do microorganisms attach to the surface tissues of the host?
pili and other (non-pilus) adhesins
What are the major physical and chemical barriers to infection?
Tissue integrity, flushing mechanisms, antimicrobial substances
What are examples of antimicrobial substances produced by specific host cells and tissues?
- Cationic antimicrobial peptides,
- antibacterial fatty acids in perspiration,
- lysozyme in tears and saliva,
- lactoferrin in tears, saliva, and milk, gastric acid in stomach,
- bile salts in intestine, antiviral proteins in tissues,
- antimicrobial proteins in blood and lymph,
- transferrin in blood and lymph
Tissue integrity (physical and chemical barriers)
- Unbroken skin and mucous membranes
- Sloughing cells (removes adherent bacteria)
- Mucus secretion (traps microorganisms)
Flushing mechanism (physical and chemical barriers)
Urination, peristalsis, coughing, sneezing, perspiring, tearing, salivating