Routes of infection Flashcards

1
Q

Ways in which pathogens can transmit

A

From the environment
Person to person contact
Contaminated inanimate objects
Hospitals

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2
Q

What is transmission

A

Ability for a pathogen to spread from one host to another

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3
Q

Examples of environmental spread

A

Malaria and mosquitoes

Salmonella and contaminated food

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4
Q

Examples of direct contact for transmission

A

Sexual contact in HIV

Many pathogens use this mechanism, but less common as a primary transmission mechanism

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5
Q

Contaminated inanimate objects

A

Fomites settle on the object.

Many viruses cannot survive long outside the body, especially if lipid membranes

Some pathogens like fungi have more robust capsules

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6
Q

Common infections in hospitals

A

Lots of contaminated objects and sick people in one building.

MRSA and bladder cystitis caused by infected urinary catheters.

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7
Q

What are aerosols

A

Liquid droplets from infected host that evaporate due to dryness of air.

Transmits infectious agents.

Inhaled nucleus causes disease.

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8
Q

Common portals with pathogens

A
Respiratory tract  
Skin 
GI tract 
Genital tract 
Placenta or breast milk
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9
Q

What is a tropism?

A

Tropisms are conditions needed for the pathogen to survive

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10
Q

Types of tropisms

A

Cell, tissue and species

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11
Q

Cell tropism

A

Cell must display the correct receptors and co-receptors for attachment.

Intracellular pathogens need correct cellular biochemistry for pathogen replication.

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12
Q

Tissue tropism

A

Conditions of the tissue must be favourable for the pathogen

Temperature and moisture

Overcome innate defenses

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13
Q

Example of tissue encouraging pathogen growth

A

Diabetes encourages by high blood sugar content

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14
Q

Species tropism

A

Invasion of pathogen is sometimes tissue-dependent

Determined by cell and tissue tropism

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