Microbiology, Human Diseases, Taxonomy, and Animal Kingdom Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human infectious diseases, bacterial and viral pathogens, genetic syndromes, taxonomy, animal kingdom phylums, and microbiology concepts from the lecture notes.

Rabies Vaccine

A preventive immunization for rabies originally developed by Louis Pasteur, available in commercial forms such as RABIVAX-S (prepared on vero cells) and NOBIVAC 3-RABIES.

Rubeola

Another name for Measles, a highly contagious respiratory viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus, characterized by high fever ($104^\circ\text{F}$ or higher) and a red, blotchy rash starting at the hairline.

Rubella

Also known as German measles, a contagious disease caused by an RNA togavirus that produces fine pink spots starting on the face and mild fever (rarely exceeding $101^\circ\text{F}$).

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

The viral pathogen responsible for chickenpox, an airborne infectious disease causing an extremely itchy rash, swollen glands, and fluid-filled blisters.

Variola Virus

The pathogen (major and minor strains) that caused smallpox, declared free in India in April 1977 and globally eradicated in 1980.

Hepatitis B Virus

The only hepatitis virus classified as a partially double-stranded DNA virus, known to cause liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Gram-Positive Bacteria

Bacteria characterized by a thick peptidoglycan cell wall, including pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Gram-Negative Bacteria

Bacteria characterized by a thin peptidoglycan cell wall, including pathogens such as Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Superbug

Bacteria that develop high antibiotic resistance due to improper antibiotic overuse, over-the-counter intake, or heavy antibiotic usage in poultry farming.

Salmonella typhi

The bacterial pathogen causing typhoid fever (enteric or intestinal fever), transmitted through contaminated food and water, causing high fever and 'rose spots' rash.

Widal Test

A diagnostic blood test (conducted as a rapid slide test or quantitative tube test) used to detect typhoid fever.

Rickettsia typhi

The bacterial species responsible for flea-borne typhus infection, distinct from food-borne typhoid caused by Salmonella typhi.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

A primary bacterial agent of pneumonia that infects the alveoli of the lungs, causing fluid accumulation, breathing distress, and a blue nasolabial triangle.

Vibrio cholerae

The comma-shaped bacterium that causes cholera, discovered by Robert Koch, which spreads via oral intake of contaminated water and leads to rapid dehydration.

John Snow

The physician historic for discovering and mapping the mode of transmission of cholera through contaminated water supplies.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The bacterium causing tuberculosis (TB), an ancient airborne droplet infection also known as the White Plague or Koch disease.

Mantoux Skin Test

A clinical diagnostic skin test utilized alongside sputum culture examination and chest X-rays to detect tuberculosis infection.

BCG Vaccine

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, a freeze-dried live attenuated preparation injected intracutaneously to prevent tuberculosis.

DOTS

Directly Observed Treatment Short-course, a WHO-recommended comprehensive strategy where healthcare personnel directly observe TB patients swallowing every dose of medication.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

The bacterial agent causing diphtheria, leading to the formation of a greyish-white membrane in the throat ('bull neck') and severe breathing obstruction.

Bordetella pertussis

The bacterium that causes whooping cough (pertussis), an infection of the upper respiratory tract that poses high risks to young children.

Clostridium tetani

An anaerobic spore-forming bacterium found in soil and dust that causes tetanus (Lockjaw or Dhanush Tankar), resulting in violent muscle spasms and bone fractures.

Yersinia pestis

The bacterial pathogen causing plague (Black Death or Taun Plague), occurring in bubonic, septicemic (flea-transmitted), and pneumonic (airborne) forms.

Mycobacterium leprae

The causative bacterium of Hansen disease (leprosy), affecting the skin, peripheral nervous system, and eyes.

Multi Drug Therapy (MDT)

The clinical drug regimen used to cure leprosy, employing a combination of Rifampicin, Dapsone, and Clofazimine over designated monthly blister packs.

Bacillus anthracis

The spore-forming bacterium causing anthrax (splenic fever), primarily an infection of cattle that causes skin ulcers in humans and is classified as a biological weapon.

Chlamydia trachomatis

The bacterium responsible for trachoma, an eye infection affecting the inner eyelids that can cause corneal rupture and blindness.

Treponema pallidum

The bacterium causing syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that produces painless itching and ulcers on the genitalia as well as lesions on palms and soles.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The bacterium responsible for gonorrhea (known as 'the clap'), an STI causing urethral inflammation, discharge, pain during urination, and infertility.

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PEMOS)

The updated terminology for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), highlighting that excess androgen production and follicular arrest represent a holistic metabolic and endocrine disorder.

Clostridium botulinum

A spore-forming anaerobic bacterium common in soil and water that causes botulism food poisoning associated with inadequate food preservation.

Tinea pedis

A fungal pathogen responsible for athlete's foot, an infection that thrives on skin outer layers and nails due to prolonged exposure to moisture or public showers.

Leishmania donovani

The protozoan parasite transmitted by sand flies that causes Kala Azar (Black Fever or Dum Dum fever), causing skin hyperpigmentation.

Entamoeba gingivalis

A protozoan parasite causing pyorrhea, leading to pus and bleeding from the gums, loss of taste, and loose teeth.

Trypanosoma brucei

The protozoan pathogen transmitted by the Tse Tse fly that causes African sleeping sickness by affecting the brain membranes and cerebrospinal fluid.

Entamoeba histolytica

The protozoan parasite causing amoebic dysentery, which targets the large intestine and leads to bloody discharge.

Down Syndrome

A genetic condition caused by Trisomy 21 (resulting in 47 chromosomes), leading to short stature, intellectual impairment, thickened palms, and Mongolian idiocy features.

Klinefelter Syndrome

A male genetic condition characterized by sex chromosomes being XXY (47 total chromosomes), leading to failure in sperm production, testicular dysfunction, and enlarged breasts.

Turner Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder designated as 45 X or 45 XO (also called Ullrich syndrome), occurring in females with a single X chromosome, characterized by short stature and a webbed/pulled neck.

Taxonomy

The branch of biological science that formulates rules and principles for classifying living organisms based on their shared characteristics.

Binomial Nomenclature

The standard two-part naming system (Genus species) formalized by Carolus Linnaeus in Systema Naturae for identifying organisms.

Five Kingdom Classification

The widely accepted biological classification system established by Robert Whittaker, categorizing life into Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Porifera

A phylum of simple, sessile multicellular aquatic animals (sponges) covered in ostia/osculum that lack distinct tissues and organs and absorb nutrients via choanocytes (collar cells).

Cnidoblast

Specialized stinging cells present in members of Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterata) used for defense and prey capture.

Triploblastic

Having a body structure derived from three embryonic germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, first seen in Phylum Platyhelminthes.

Flame Cells

Specialized excretory cells present in flatworms belonging to Phylum Platyhelminthes.

Pheretima posthuma

The scientific name for the common earthworm, a bisexual annelid with female reproductive openings on the 14th segment, male on the 18th segment, four hearts, and nephridial excretion.

Class Insecta

A major class within Arthropoda whose members possess three pairs of legs, lack hemoglobin in their blood, and have an open circulatory system.

Sepia

A mollusc commonly called cuttlefish that possesses 10 pairs of arms, two eyes, internal ink glands, and colorless or blue blood.

Echinodermata

A phylum of marine organisms characterized by spiny skin and the absence of a distinct head or brain, including sea urchins and starfish.

Herpetology

The branch of zoological science dedicated to the study of amphibians and reptiles.

Ornithology

The scientific study of birds (Class Aves).

Prototheria

A subclass of primitive egg-laying mammals, exemplified by the Echidna and the Platypus.

Metatheria

Subclass of mammals (marsupials) that give birth to underdeveloped young which continue development in a maternal pouch, such as kangaroos and koalas.

Dmitry Ivanovsky

The Russian scientist who first discovered viruses in 1892 while investigating tobacco mosaic disease.

Bacteriophage

A complex double-stranded DNA virus that specifically infects and replicates inside bacterial cells.

Zoonotic Virus

A classification of viruses that jump naturally from animals (such as bats, birds, or pigs) to human hosts, such as Rabies, Ebola, and Avian Influenza.

Zombie Virus

Ancient viruses (such as Pandoravirus and Pithovirus) that have remained dormant trapped in permafrost or ice for thousands of years and reactivate upon thawing.

Wolbachia

An endosymbiotic bacterium introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that blocks the replication and transmission of the Dengue virus.