Chapter 21 Cardiovascular system diseases

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions from microbial cardiovascular and systemic diseases.

Septicemia

The presence of any reproducing microbial infections of the blood that produce illness and may become fatal.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, often considered harmless.

Toxemia

Release of bacterial toxins into the bloodstream.

Lymphangitis

Infection and inflammation of the lymphatic vessels.

Endotoxin

A toxin that is part of the outer membrane of certain bacteria, particularly Gram-negative bacteria.

Petechiae

Small hemorrhagic lesions that may develop from septicemia/systemic infections.

Exotoxin

Toxins released from living microorganisms.

Septicaemia signs

Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise.

Rheumatic fever

An autoimmune response that can damage the heart, joints, and kidneys.

Viridans streptococcus

A group of bacteria often associated with endocarditis.

Disease caused by Clostridium perfringens

Gas gangrene, occurs when bacteria enter dead tissue.

Brucellosis

An infectious disease caused by Brucella melitensis, characterized by fluctuating fevers.

Tularemia

An infection caused by Francisella tularensis, often linked to animal handling.

Bubonic plague

Characterized by enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes called buboes.

Borrelia burgdorferi

The causative agent of Lyme disease.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that play a significant role in the body's immune response.

Plasmodium

The genus of parasites that cause malaria.

Trypanosoma cruzi

The causative agent of American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease).

Ebola virus

A virus that causes African hemorrhagic fever, with high fatality rates.

CMV virus

Cytomegalovirus, which can cause flu-like symptoms and serious disease in the immunocompromised.

Dengue fever

A mosquito-borne viral infection characterized by fever, rash, and internal bleeding.

Chagas' Disease symptoms

Swelling at the infection site, nonspecific symptoms, chronic heart damage.

Infectious Mononucleosis

A viral infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus, leading to severe sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

Bacterial endocarditis

Infection of the inner lining of the heart, often resulting from bacteremia.

Antimicrobials

Medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Treatment for Gas Gangrene

Debridement, hyperbaric therapy, and antibiotics such as clindamycin and penicillin.

Preventive measures for EBV

Difficult due to the widespread occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus.