Microbiology Topic 11 Flashcards
3 Major groups are of interest medical microbiologists are directly causing disease
- Protozoans
- Fungi
- Helminths
Eukaryotic, unicellular, No cell wall, motility; require moist environments; Most are free-living and harmless very few are pathogens.
Protozoans
Inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in feces; can result to massive dehydration
Dysentery
Pathogenic species that feed off the intestinal lining; generates inflammation, causes nausea, stomach ache and diarrhea.
Giardia Iamblia
a type of amoebae, eats and moves by extending parts of their bodies to form pseudopods; exists asymptomatically in 10% of the world’s population.
Entamoeba Histolytica
Can get from contaminated water, eating undercooked infected meat (especially pork, lamb & venison), or contact with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma. A Fecal Docysts 1/3 of the global population and 60 million people in US may but few have symptoms be infected, Mild symptoms are flu-like. Pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems could develop serious health problems.
Toxoplasmosis
Life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium profozoan parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, and flu- like illness. Left untreated can cause coma and death if progresses to cerebral malaria.
Malaria
Heterotrophic (consumers) digest their food externally, secrete digestive enzymes and then absorb nutrient molecules into their cells. Examples: yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. Often have important symbiotic relationships with other organisms, mainly plants.
Fungi
Also called mycoses (singular mycosis) If you have ever had athlete’s foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is actually a primitive vegetable. Mushrooms, mold and mildew are examples. Reproduce through tiny spores in the air. You can inhale the spores or they can land on you. As a result, fungal infections often start in the lungs or on the skin.
Fungal Infections
Types of Mycoses
- Superficial Mycoses
- Cutaneous Mycoses
- Subcutaneous Mycoses
- Systemic Mycoses
Most patients are not even aware that they have condition. Fungi only growing on dead skin, hair and Inails. Fungus doesn’t secretes metabolites into body.
Superficial Mycoses
Fungi growing and secreting metabolites into the skin. Person is definitely aware of the infection. An example of this is Epidermophyton floccosum, one of the causes of athlete’s foot.
Cutaneous Mycoses
Fungus must be traumatically implanted into the body.
Subcutaneous Mycoses
Fungi are inhaled into the lungs and subsequently are transported to other internal organs, usually through the bloodstream.
Systemic Mycoses
are parasitic worms that live inside their host. Examples: hook, whip, pin, heart and round worms Belong to the Kingdom Animalia. Live in and feed off living hosts. Receive nourishment and protection while disrupting their hosts’ nutrient absorption, causing weakness and disease.
Helminths