General Terminology

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Important component in gram negative cell walls;

Contains the “O” antigen

“O” Antigen

A polysaccharide component found in lipopolysaccharides that varies between bacterial strains, playing a critical role in serotyping.

“K” antigen

A type-specific polysaccharide in the capsules of certain bacteria

“H” antigen

Variable proteins that make up flagella of bacteria

Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which can obstruct blood flow and lead to various medical complications.

Endotoxic shock

Vascular leakage leading to shock due to endotoxin (LPS) in bloodstream causing systematic inflammation.

Capsule

Layer of hydrophilic polysaccharides which protect bacteria from phagocytosis and interfere with complement activation and binding of antibodies to structures before the out outer capsule layer

Antigenic phase variation

Expression of “O” “H” and “K” antigens are under genetic control and their genes can be switched on or off

Autoagglutination

Bacteria associations which pack into a brick formation

Sequalae

Disease syndromes that appear after the infection has been deafeted

Animal reservoirs

population of non-human animals that harbor the organism and can serve to introduce the organism to humans

Bacteremia

Bacteria in the blood stream

Osteomyelitis

Localized bone infection

Endocarditis

Infection of the heart

Suppurative arthritis

Arthritis in presence of pus

Cystitis

Bacterial infections of the bladder

Pyelonephritis

bacterial infections of the kidneys

Kidney stones

result from bacteria digesting urea to form free ammonia and increase the pH which precipitates calcium and magnesium salts

Coccobacillus

Bacteria which can appear either as more of a rod-shape or more of a cocci

Endemic

Describes a disease that is always present at relatively stable levels in human population

Enzootic

A disease that is always present at relatively stable levels in non-human animal populations

Epidemic

Unusually high incidence of disease in humans that is spreading rapidly

Pandemic

An epidemic spanning multiple continents

Zoonosis

A disease that spread naturally from animals to humans

Epizootic

An epidemic among non-human animals

Vector

A living intermediary that transmits a pathogen from one host to another

Pleomorphism

Different shapes of the same bacteria species

Purpuric

Subcutaneous bleeding

Suppurate

Presence of pus

Pneumonic

Infection in the lungs

Type III secretion systems contain what proteins

1. Structural — base, inner rod, and needle components

2. Effector — actual toxins that get injected

3. Chaperones — unfold effector proteins to stuff them through the needle for injection

Louse-born

Disease transmitted via lice

Maculopapular rash

Rash of little raised bumps

Petechial rash

Evolution of a maculopapular rash where there is subcutaneous hemorrhage into surrounding tissues;

Non raised purple spots

Granuloma

Ball of macrophages and T cells surrounding an invading organism they are unable to kill

Vector competence

The capacity of an individual vector species to transmit a particular pathogen

Horizontal transmission

Transmission of an infectious agent between members of the same species that do not share a parent-child relationship

Vertical transmission

Transmission from mother to offspring during birth or through embryos or eggs

Anterior station transmission

Disease transmitted through mouthparts of vector during feeding (blood meals)

Posterior station transmission

Feeding vector defecates and parasites gain entry by being scratched into wound

Accidental host

Hosts that are not part of the normal life cycle and often do not transmit infections to others

Phospholipase

Enzyme that breaks down phagocytic vesicles

Energy Parasites

Parasites which cannot synthesize their own ATP and thus rely on host cell for energy

Bartholinitis

Inflammation of Bartholin’s gland

Cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix

Endometritis

Inflammation of uterine lining

Perihepatitis

Inflammation of peritoneal lining of liver

Salpingitis

Inflammation of fallopian tubes

Urethritis

Inflammation of urinary tract

Pathogenic islands

Virulence factors clustered together on the genome

Mucosa

outermost layer of epithelial cells

peritonitis

Life threatening inflammation of the peritoneum

Microaerophile

Organism needing high concentrations of CO₂ and lower concentration of oxygen