Public 'microbial interactions with humans'

Question 1

What is the difference between infection and disease?

Answer 1

Infection regards the pathogen whereas disease regards the host
Infection: Where a microorganism is established and growing in a host, causing harm
Disease: Where the hosts function is damaged

Question 2

Where in the host do infections frequently begin?

Answer 2

In mucus membranes, either will penetrate the mucus layer, attach to cells of invade cells/tissues

Question 3

Does the skin support the growth of the microorganisms?

Answer 3

no, as it is dry and acidic however, moist areas such as sweat glands are colonised by gram positive bacteria on the surface of skin and in the hair follicle

Question 4

What is the skin microbiota influenced by?

Answer 4

Environment such as temperature, weather and humidity and also host factors such as age, personal hygiene and health.

Question 5

Describe the microbiota of the oral cavity:

Answer 5

• heterogenous microbial cavity
• saliva contains antimicrobial enzymes and release acidic glycoproteins which bacteria attach to
• the tooth bacteria is found on enamel (mineral matrix) and the tissue (dentin and pulp)

Question 6

What is plaque and what happens when this develops?

Answer 6

Plaque is extensive growth of oral microorganisms especially streptococci.
As this develops, anaerobic bacterial species begin to grow which produce high conc of acid causing decalcification of the tooth enamel which is dental caries.

Question 7

What is the role of the microbiota in the respiratory tract?

Answer 7

They should only found int he upper RT, if you have a lot in the lower RT, you probably have pneumonia!

Question 8

What causes UTIs?

Answer 8

Usually the bladder is sterile but altered conditions can cause UTIs by E.coli and P.mirabilis

Question 9

What is the microbiota of the vagina like?

Answer 9

Weakly acidic and contains large amounts of glycogen where bacteria produce lactic acid maintaining the acidic environment