unit 1 Flashcards
significance of infectious diseases on public health
infectious diseases are large contributors to morbidity and morality of people
endemic vs epidemic diseases
endemic: ongoing disease in a specific population
epidemic: sudden outbreak of a disease in a specific population (flare up)
emerging infectious diseases
refers to disease that is newly appeared (or has existed) but is increasing in incidence
how do outbreaks of infectious diseases occur
typically person to person (but can also be zoonotic or through vectors)
how do ecologic changes lead to an EID
deforestation and reforestation –> increased exposure between animals and humans can increase transmission of zoonotic diseases
how do human demographics impact EIDs
building of cities and overcrowding of people (density of population) allows for easier transmission
effect of international travel on EIDs
travelers facilitate transmission (taking disease from one area where disease exists to one where it does not)
roles of shipping and commerce on EIDs
transport of vectors (mosquitos in produce)
how do deficienes in public health infrastructure lead to EIDs
–> public health/sanitation = more garbage/dead animals/feces which harbor bacteria
–> monitoring and inspecting food = preventing foodborne illnesses
–> drinking water = biofilms in water pipes can cause bacteria as they grow
how do microorganisms ability to undergo genetic changes contribute to EIDs
microorganisms can reproduce quicker and evolve much faster than humans
–> making them harder to treat
role of biofilms in the development of infectious disease
biofilms create a barrier around bacteria
–> less susceptible to antibiotics
noscomial vs iatrogenic infections
nosocomial infections are contracted during a hospital stay (HAIs)
iatrogenic infections are contracted as a result of a medical treatment or procedure (invasive)
what are the bacteria commonly associated with hospital acquired infections
methicillin-resistant s. aureus
vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
psuedomonas
acinteobacter
klebsiella pneumoniae
e. coli
why is it difficult to control HAI
susceptible patients staying in the hospital and most HAIs are resistant to antibiotics
what are the potential bioterror agents
category a: bacillus anthracis, francisella tularensis, clostridium botulinum
what efforts were initiated to prepare for bioterrorist attacks
Laboratory response network
role of laboratory response network
CDC labs that are capable detecting and confirming bioterror agents
compare the three levels of laboratories
sentinel –> detection in hospitals/clinics (identifies pathogens)
reference –> public health confirms pathogens
national –> CDC characterizes agent and investigates
microscopy vs antigen detection vs NAAT
microscopy –> gram stain (identification of pathogen)
antigen detection –> lateral flow tests (looking for antigen against pathogen)
NAAT –> PCR testing (looking for viral RNA/DNA)
what is the pre-analytical testing phase of specimen
this is the actual testing procedure
justify antimicrobial susceptibility testing
expose isolate antimicrobial agents, if it is susceptible it would be an effective treatment (tells us which drugs will work)
taxonomic classification of living organisms
bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes
different methods used for classifying organisms
