Methods of Bacterial Identification and Epidemiology

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary from Unit 3 related to microbial identification, epidemiology, and immunology.

Selective Media

Allows for growth of only certain organisms.

Differential Media

Produces particular colony morphologies for target organisms.

Cellular Morphology

The study of the structure and shape of cells used in identifying bacteria.

Dichotomous Key

A tool used to identify organisms based on a series of questions that lead the user to the correct name.

Biochemical Tests

Tests that detect metabolic and enzymatic activities to identify bacteria.

Phage Typing

Uses bacteriophages to identify bacterial strains based on their susceptibility to different bacteriophages.

Serological Methods

Techniques that use immune responses to identify and quantify antigens.

DNA Fingerprinting

Techniques that allow the identification of organisms based on their unique genetic makeup.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA fragments by size for analysis.

PCR Amplification

A technique to amplify a specific DNA sequence to make it more detectable.

Cladogram

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various species.

Antimicrobial Resistance

The ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases spread and can be controlled.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two organisms where at least one benefits.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is not significantly affected.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Infection

Invasion or colonization of the body by pathogenic microorganisms.

Disease

Any change in health caused by an infection.

Pathology

The study of the nature and causes of diseases.

Etiology

The study of the causes of diseases.

Pathogenesis

The manner in which a disease develops.

Koch's Postulates

A series of criteria used to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease in a specific period.

Prevalence

The total number of cases of a disease in a population at a specific time.

Sporadic Disease

Diseases that occur occasionally and at irregular intervals.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a specific area.

Pandemic

An outbreak of disease that occurs on a global scale.

Acute Infection

Infection that develops rapidly but lasts a short time.

Chronic Infection

Infection that develops slowly and lasts a long time.

Latent Infection

Infection that is inactive but can become active.

Vector Transmission

The transmission of pathogens by a vector, such as an insect.

Fomite Transmission

The spread of disease through contaminated nonliving objects.

Droplet Transmission

Spread of pathogens through respiratory droplets.

Normalization Microbiota

Organisms that establish a permanent residence without causing disease.

Opportunistic Pathogen

Microorganisms that can cause disease when the host's immune system is compromised.

Microbial Antagonism

The ability of the body's normal microbiota to protect against invading pathogens.

Signs

Objective measurements of disease.

Symptoms

Subjective changes in body function experienced by the patient.

Syndrome

A specific group of signs and symptoms that occur together.

Communicable Disease

Disease that can spread from person to person.

Noncommunicable Disease

Disease that is not transmitted between hosts.

Zoonosis

Disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Diagnostic Methods

Techniques used to identify the cause of a disease.

Rapid Identification Methods

Techniques that allow quick identification of pathogens.

Confirmatory Tests

Tests used to verify the presence of a specific organism.

Isolation Techniques

Methods used to isolate microorganisms from samples.

Biochemical Tests for Bacteria

Tests that determine the metabolic capabilities of bacteria.

Antigen-Antibody Interaction

The binding of antibodies to specific antigens on pathogens.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A method used to amplify specific DNA sequences for testing.

Microscopy

The use of microscopes to observe the morphology of microorganisms.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing

Determining the effectiveness of antibiotics against specific bacteria.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

The lowest concentration of an antibiotic that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Quantitative PCR

A method to quantify DNA or RNA in a sample.

Genetic Testing

Techniques used to analyze DNA for identifying microorganisms.

Bioweapons

Microorganisms that can be used to intentionally cause harm.

Epidemiological Surveillance

The continuous, systematic collection and analysis of health data.

Vaccination

The act of administering a vaccine to stimulate immunity.

Public Health

The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.

Antigenic Drift

Minor changes in viral antigens over time due to mutations.

Antigenic Shift

Major changes in viral antigens that can result in pandemic diseases.

Adverse Reaction

An undesired effect occurring after vaccination.

Herd Immunity

Protection from disease in a population when a large percentage is immune.

Live Attenuated Vaccine

A vaccine created from a weakened form of the germ that causes a disease.

Inactivated Vaccine

A vaccine made from inactivated (killed) germs.

Subunit Vaccine

A vaccine using only parts of the virus or bacteria.

Conjugate Vaccine

A vaccine that joins a protein to an antigen to improve immune response.

Toxoid Vaccine

A vaccine made from toxins produced by bacteria.

mRNA Vaccine

A type of vaccine that uses messenger RNA to generate an immune response.

Immunological Memory

The ability of the immune system to respond more rapidly and effectively to an antigen it has encountered before.

Epidemiological Studies

Research conducted to understand the causes and patterns of disease spread.

Overt Disease

A disease with noticeable signs and symptoms.

Pathogen Reservoir

The natural host or habitat of a pathogen.

Transmission Dynamics

The study of how infections spread through populations.

Disease Mitigation

Efforts to reduce the impact of disease on populations.

Public Health Interventions

Strategies implemented to protect and improve health in communities.

Health Disparities

Differences in health outcomes among different population groups.

Microbial Ecology

The study of microorganisms in their natural environment.

Selective Toxicity

Property of an antibiotic that selectively kills pathogenic bacteria without harming the host.

Biofilm Formation

The aggregation of microorganisms on a surface, embedded in a protective matrix.

Transformation

The uptake of foreign DNA by a bacterial cell from its environment.

Selective Media

Allows for growth of only certain organisms.

Differential Media

Produces particular colony morphologies for target organisms.

Cellular Morphology

The study of the structure and shape of cells used in identifying bacteria.

Dichotomous Key

A tool used to identify organisms based on a series of questions that lead the user to the correct name.

Biochemical Tests

Tests that detect metabolic and enzymatic activities to identify bacteria.

Phage Typing

Uses bacteriophages to identify bacterial strains based on their susceptibility to different bacteriophages.

Serological Methods

Techniques that use immune responses to identify and quantify antigens.

DNA Fingerprinting

Techniques that allow the identification of organisms based on their unique genetic makeup.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA fragments by size for analysis.

PCR Amplification

A technique to amplify a specific DNA sequence to make it more detectable.

Cladogram

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various species.

Antimicrobial Resistance

The ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases spread and can be controlled.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two organisms where at least one benefits.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is not significantly affected.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Infection

Invasion or colonization of the body by pathogenic microorganisms.

Disease

Any change in health caused by an infection.