Clinical Case Studies: Malaria, Pseudomonas, EBV, TB, Mumps, SLE, and Strep Throat

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key clinical terms, diagnostic methods, and pathogen characteristics derived from case studies on malaria, pulmonary infections, autoimmune disorders, and viral outbreaks.

Prophylaxis

A preventive measure, such as an anti-malarial medication taken before or during travel to avoid infection.

DEET

The chemical N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, used in effective insect repellents to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.

Gametocytes

The form of the Plasmodium parasite that is infectious to mosquitoes; in P. falciparum, these are characterized by a banana-shaped morphology.

Cerebral malaria

A deadly complication of P. falciparum infection occurring when infected red blood cells (RBCs) stick to and clog the capillaries in the brain.

Sputum

Mucus and other matter coughed up from the respiratory tract, often collected for clinical laboratory sampling.

Siderophore

A molecule produced by microorganisms, such as P. aeruginosa, that binds iron to compete with the host's iron-binding proteins.

EPS (Extracellular Polymeric Substances)

Extracellular material that forms a capsule or slime layer, allowing bacteria like P. aeruginosa to form biofilms and resist the immune system.

Heterophile antibodies

Random immunoglobulins produced when latently infected B cells differentiate into plasma cells during an EBV infection.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

A diagnostic procedure involving the delivery of sterile saline into the lungs via a tube and the subsequent collection of the fluid for testing.

MDR-TB

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis; a strain of M. tuberculosis that is resistant to the first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF).

Directly observed therapy (DOT)

A public health strategy used to ensure patients comply with their antimicrobial treatment to prevent the development and spread of drug resistance.

Herd immunity

The protection provided to unvaccinated individuals when a large portion of the population is immune, preventing the virus from finding susceptible hosts.

IgM antibodies

Pathogen-specific antibodies with a short half-life that indicate a current or very recent infection.

IgG antibodies

Pathogen-specific antibodies with a long half-life that indicate a current infection, past infection, or vaccination.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A widespread autoimmune disorder of connective tissue that mimics various conditions and is often diagnosed via positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing.

ANA (Antinuclear antibody) test

A screening test for autoimmune disease that is positive in $97\%$ of individuals with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

M protein

A major virulence factor of Streptococcus pyogenes that helps the bacteria avoid phagocytosis and has over $200$ antigenically distinct varieties.

Specificity

The reliability of a positive test result, indicating that a positive result is likely a true positive (e.g., in a rapid strep test).

Sensitivity

The reliability of a negative test result; low sensitivity means a negative result could be a false negative even if the pathogen is present.

Molecular mimicry

A process where pathogen epitopes resemble self-proteins, causing the immune system to produce antibodies that attack the host's own cells.

SPEs (Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins)

Toxins produced by some strains of S. pyogenes that can lead to scarlet fever and severe invasive diseases.