Exam Review: Biology of Infectious Diseases

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the lecture notes on the biology of infectious diseases, including mechanisms of transmission, historical context, epidemiological terms, and specific pathogens.

Modes of transmission of pathogens

The ways in which pathogens spread to hosts, including direct and indirect transmission.

Direct transmission

Spread of pathogens through physical contact, vertical transmission, airborne, or water/foodborne routes.

Indirect transmission

Spread of pathogens via fomite borne, water borne with intermediate host, or vector borne methods.

Germ theory of disease

A theory stating that diseases are caused by microorganisms.

Koch's postulates

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

Human pathogens

Organisms that can cause disease in humans; includes viruses, bacteria, fungi, helminths, prions, and protozoa.

Vaccinations

Preventive measures developed through the work of Edward Jenner that stimulate the immune response.

Bloodletting

An early form of treatment based on the theory of balancing the body's four humors.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations.

Epidemiologist

A professional who studies and works to reduce disease risk in populations.

Endemic

The habitual presence of a disease within a specific geographic area.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease beyond what is normally expected.

Pandemic

An epidemic that spreads across countries or continents affecting a large number of people.

Determinants

Factors that influence health outcomes, including people, pathogens, health services, environment, and vectors.

Outbreak investigation steps

A structured series of actions taken to identify and control an outbreak of disease.

Surveillance

Systematic collection and analysis of health data to monitor disease trends.

Incidence rate

The measure of new cases of a disease that occur in a specified time period.

Prevalence

The proportion of a population found to have a condition at a specific time.

Basic reproductive rate (R0)

The average number of secondary infections produced by one infected individual in a wholly susceptible population.

Herd immunity

When a sufficient proportion of a population is immune to a disease, protecting individuals who are not immune.

Disability adjusted life years (DALYs)

A measure of overall disease burden that combines years of life lost due to premature death and years lived with disability.

Mortality rate

The measure of deaths in a population over a specific time period.

Case fatality rate

The proportion of diagnosed cases of a specific disease that result in death.

Morbidity

The condition of being diseased or unhealthy.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A contagious disease caused by bacteria, primarily affecting the lungs.

BCG vaccine

A vaccine for tuberculosis, developed in the early 20th century.

Mantoux test

A skin test to detect exposure to tuberculosis.

Latent TB

A state where the TB bacteria are present in the body but inactive and cause no symptoms.

Active TB

A condition where TB bacteria are active and cause symptoms.

Malaria

A life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female mosquitoes.

Anopheles mosquitoes

The type of mosquitoes that transmit malaria.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the immune system.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; the advanced stage of infection with HIV.

T-Helper cells

A type of white blood cell that is vital for the immune response and is targeted by HIV.

Ectoparasite

A parasite that lives on the exterior of its host.

Rickettsia prowazekii

The bacterium that causes epidemic typhus.

Vector

An organism that transmits pathogens from one host to another.

Yersinia pestis

The bacterium responsible for causing plague.

Blocked flea

A flea that has ingested Yersinia pestis and cannot feed properly, facilitating transmission.

Flea life stages

The developmental stages of fleas, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Plague reservoirs

Animals that harbor Yersinia pestis in nature, such as rats and prairie dogs.