Shaping The Future: Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System, Reproductive Tract, and Skin

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from nervous system infections, sepsis, reproductive tract infections, and skin infections described in the lecture notes. E.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, the main components of the nervous system.

1Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that connect the body to the brain and spinal cord.

Meninges

Three-layered membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater.

Dura mater

Outer protective membrane of the meninges.

Arachnoid membrane

Middle meningeal membrane between dura and pia.

Pia mater

Innermost meningeal membrane closely following the brain and spinal cord.

Subarachnoid space

Space between the arachnoid and pia mater filled with CSF.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid cushioning the brain and spinal cord, providing nutrients and removing waste.

Lumbar puncture (LP)

Procedure to collect CSF from the lower back via needle insertion.

Ventricular tap

CSF collection through the ventricular system (rare method).

CSF analysis

Laboratory evaluation of CSF including appearance, cells, chemistry, and microbiology.

Visual appearance (CSF)

Assessment of CSF clarity, color, and particulates.

Microscopy (CSF)

Examining CSF cells and organisms under a microscope.

Gram stain (CSF)

Bacterial staining technique used to identify bacteria in CSF.

Ziehl-Neelsen stain

Acid-fast stain used to detect mycobacteria in CSF.

Wet preparation

Live microbiology observation of CSF on a slide with water or saline.

Culture (CSF)

Growing CSF organisms to identify pathogens and assess antibiotic susceptibility.

Biochemical analysis (CSF)

Chemical tests on CSF to aid identification of pathogens.

Antigen/antibody detection (CSF)

Serological or immunoassay tests to detect pathogens in CSF.

Bacterial meningitis

Meningitis caused by bacteria; often more severe than viral meningitis.

Viral meningitis

Meningitis caused by viruses; typically milder than bacterial forms.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain often due to viral infection.

Kernig’s sign

Pain on straightening the leg when the hip is flexed; a meningitis clue.

Entry routes to CNS

Invasion via skull fractures, medical procedures, along peripheral nerves, or hematogenous spread.

Haemophilus influenzae meningitis

Bacterial meningitis caused by H. influenzae; Hib vaccine reduces risk.

Neisseria meningitidis meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis; vaccine-preventable.

Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis

Pneumococcal meningitis; common in children; PCV13 vaccine protects.

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis

Listeria meningitis; risk higher in elderly, pregnant individuals; foodborne.

Tuberculous meningitis

Meningitis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis; special culture media used.

Bacteremia

Presence of viable bacteria in the bloodstream.

Septicemia

Systemic infection with circulating bacteria producing toxins.

SIRS criteria

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria used to assess sepsis risk.

CD14 receptor/Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway

Innate immune signaling activated by bacterial components (e.g., LPS) in sepsis.

TNF-α

Tumor necrosis factor alpha; key inflammatory cytokine in sepsis.

IL-1

Interleukin-1; pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in sepsis.

Coagulation in sepsis

Activation of tissue factor and thrombin leading to microvascular clots (DIC risk).

Blood culture bottles (types)

Aerobic, Anaerobic, Pediatric, and Myco/F Lytic bottles used for blood cultures.

Blood culture systems (types)

Conventional, Semiautomatic (BACTEC), and Automatic (BacT/Alert) culture systems.

Contaminants in blood cultures

Commensal organisms (e.g., CONS, Bacillus spp.) that may not be true pathogens.

Pathogens in blood cultures

Organisms likely to cause true infection (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae, S. pneumoniae).

PCR in sepsis diagnosis

Molecular detection of bacterial DNA to identify pathogens when cultures are negative.

Empiric antibiotics timing

Antibiotics should be started within one hour of sepsis diagnosis; broad-spectrum until results.

Sepsis complications

Potential outcomes include ARDS, acute kidney injury, DIC, and death.

Sepsis prevention

Prevention through infection control, hygiene, vaccination (H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae), and sterile intravascular procedures.

Endogenous infection

Infection caused by microbes normally present that overgrow or invade tissues.

Exogenous infection

Infection acquired from external sources; often sexually transmitted in reproductive tract infections.

Resident microbiota (reproductive system)

Normal flora in the urethra, vagina, vulva, and penis (e.g., Staph, Corynebacteria, Lactobacilli).

Lactobacilli

Dominant vaginal flora producing lactic acid; helps maintain acidity and health.

Hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli

Subgroup of lactobacilli producing H2O2; protective vaginal flora feature.

Trichomonas vaginalis

Protozoan causing trichomoniasis; common STI.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)

Herpesvirus causing genital herpes.

Treponema pallidum

Bacteria causing syphilis.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonorrhea-causing bacteria.

Chlamydia trachomatis

Bacteria causing NGU and LGV (L1-L3 serotypes).

Gardnerella vaginalis

Bacterium associated with bacterial vaginosis.

Candida albicans

Fungal organism causing candidiasis (yeast infections).

Human papillomaviruses (HPV)

Viruses causing genital warts and potential cancers; several strains vaccine-preventable.

Gonorrhea diagnosis

Gram-negative intracellular diplococci in smear; Thayer-Martin culture.

Chlamydia trachomatis NGU/LGV

Chlamydia causes non-specific urethritis and lymphogranuloma venereum.

Gastrointestinal and reproductive tract pathogens (BV, NGU)

Bacterial vaginosis and non-specific urethritis caused by various agents.

Measles

Measles virus; Koplik spots; macular rash; vaccine preventable.

Koplik spots

White spots inside the mouth seen in measles infection.

Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV)

Herpesvirus causing chickenpox and shingles; latency in dorsal root ganglia.

Shingles (reactivation of VZV)

Reactivation of VZV causing painful dermatomal rash.

Rubella (German measles)

Viral infection; CRS risk in pregnancy; vaccine prevents.

Tinea (dermatophyte) infections

Cutaneous infections by Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum.

Candida albicans (skin)

Fungal skin infections affecting mucosal and cutaneous sites.

Scabies

Mite Sarcoptes scabiei infestation causing intense itching.

Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors

Leukocidin and exfoliative toxins contributing to disease.

Impetigo

Highly contagious superficial skin infection by Staph/Strep.

Scalded Skin Syndrome

Staphylococcal exfoliatin toxin causing peeling skin.

Necrotizing fasciitis

Invasive GAS infection causing rapid tissue destruction.

Pasteurella multocida

Bite wound pathogen from animals (dogs/cats).

Bartonella henselae

Cat scratch disease causing lymphadenopathy.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistant skin infections.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; resistant infections.

Wound culture specimens

Swabs, pus, fluids used for diagnosing wound infections.

Gram stain (wounds)

Gram staining of wound samples to identify bacteria.

Chocolate agar

Enriched medium used for fastidious organisms.

Candida albicans (treatment)

Antifungal therapies (e.g., fluconazole, clotrimazole) for candidiasis.

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Coagulase-negative skin bacterium; usually harmless but can cause device infections.

Staphylococcus aureus (skin infections)

Pathogenic S. aureus with toxins; causes impetigo, cellulitis, abscesses.

Impetigo vs Erysipelas

Impetigo: superficial; Erysipelas: dermal infection with raised edges.

Exanthem vs Enanthem

Exanthem: skin rash; Enanthem: mucous membrane rash.

Vesicle/Papule/Macule/Bulla

Dermatological terms: vesicle (