Chapter 24

Plaque

a thin film of bacteria attached to teeth

caries

cavities, caused by Streptococcus mutans eroding the enamel

periodontal disease

gram negative anaerobes cause inflammation in the gums, root of the tooth and jaw bone

treated with deep cleaning, prevented with good tooth brushing

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums and tissues around the root of teeth
It can progress to “trench mouth” (acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis) which is an overgrowth of spirochetes, ulcers and necrosis

infection

the colonization of microbes, symptoms usually occur 1-3 days after ingestion

intoxication

caused by eating toxins, symptoms usually occur within hours of eating

Helicobacter pylori gastritis

inflammation and ulcers in the stomach by Helicobacter pylori
The microbes swim through the mucus lining the stomach and attach to stomach cells that causes the stomach to release less mucus
The acid destroys the stomach lining It is usually treated with two antibiotics (because it is so hardy)

Staphylococcal food poisoning

actually an intoxication, usually occurs from temperature abuse (leaving food out longer than 2 hours – toxin not destroyed by reheating), no effective treatment

Salmonellosis (non typhoidal Salmonella)

the microbes invade intestinal cells causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
The leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide
Transmitted by pets, meat, milk, chocolate, marijuana

Typhoid fever

when Salmonella Typhi invades the blood stream
Symptoms: hemorrhage, fever, shock
Transmitted by food and water, and can be sexually-transmitted in homosexual males
Treated with chloramphenicol
Carriers are cured with ampicillin or amoxicillin, a vaccine is available

Shigellosis

The microbe spreads throughout intestinal cells causing watery diarrhea with blood and mucus for 7-10 days
Sometimes called dysentery, treated with nalidixic acid, spread by person to person or food and water

Cholera

Caused by Vibrio cholera; releases an enterotoxin and enzymes that digest mucus
Transmission: water and seafood
Causes severe diarrhea, circulatory shock and death within days
Treated with tetracycline and hydration, a vaccine is available

Traveler’s diarrhea

Caused by a strain of E. coli that attaches and produces a toxin that causes fluid release
Transmitted by food, water, objects or direct contact
Causes fever, diarrhea, cramps for about a week

Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of diarrhea in the US
Can also cause vomiting and fever, transmitted by poultry and cats
Can be treated with erythromycin
Can progress to Guillain-Barre syndrome which is paralysis of the extremities then body, about 80% recover

Yersiniosis

Caused by Yersinia enterocolytica

produces toxin and invades tissue causing fever, diarrhea, vomiting and cramps that mimic appendicitis
Spread by food and person to person contact
No effective treatment

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI)

diarrhea that can be life threatening
Gram-positive, spore forming rod, obligate anaerobe
Produce toxins causing formation of pseudomembranes in the intestine
Overgrow after normal microbes have been killed by antibiotic
Treatment often requires multiple antibiotics and antibody treatments
Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT)

cold sores

Caused by Herpes simplex 1 (HSV); the virus stays dormant & reactivates
Formation of blisters accompanied by fever, transmission is oral or respiratory

mumps

a viral infection of the parotid gland
Fever, headache, swelling, meningitis, sterility, miscarriage
Transmitted by inhalation
No effective treatment, a vaccine is available

CMV

Causes fever, fatigue, enlarged nodes and spleen, birth defects
Transmitted in bodily secretions
80% of the population has it, no effective treatment

Rotavirus gastroenteritis

Signs and symptoms: vomiting, fever, diarrhea, fatal dehydration
Transmission: fecal oral route (food, water, direct contact)
No treatment, reduced by sanitary practices

Norovirus gastroenteritis

Signs and symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Transmission: fecal oral route (food, water, aerosols, person to person contact), highly contagious
Common in facilities such as cruise ships, dorms, hospitals
No treatment or vaccine, not killed by hand sanitizer
Can be reduced with thorough hand washing and disinfecting surfaces

Hepatitis

There are about 6 known types, most are viral infections
Symptoms are usually fever, fatigue, nausea, can progress to liver failure and cancer
Transmission: fecal oral route, blood or semen
Vaccine available for two types (Hep A and Hep B)

giardiasis

Caused by Giardia lamblia protozoan; clogs the intestine and gallbladder causing malnutrition and pain
Waterborne, treated with quinicrine and flagyl

amoebic dysentery

Caused by Entamoeba histolytica
Produces diarrhea for months to years and can cause abscesses in the liver and other organs
Transmitted by food or water, treated with metronidazole

Cryptosporidiosis

Caused by Crytosporidium parvum (protozoan parasite, resistant to chlorine)
Signs and symptoms: fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhea
Transmission: fecal oral route
Treated with Nitazoxanide, patient sheds the microbe for weeks after recovery

Tapeworm infections

Show few or no symptoms, sometimes anemia
Obtained from eating cysts in undercooked meat
Treated with Niclosamide or Praziquantel

Hydatid disease

Caused by Echinococcus granulosus (dog tapeworm); migrates to an organ (mostly liver and lungs) and forms a fluid filled cyst which can rupture and cause shock and death

Treated with albendazole or surgical removal

Pinworm infections

Caused by Enterobius vermicularis
Symptoms: anal itching and nightmares
Transmission: contaminated water or food
Treated with pyrantel pamoate or mebendazole

Hookworm infections

Caused by Necator americanus; attaches to the intestinal wall and feeds on blood and tissue, causing anemia and lethargy
Transmission: burrowing into the feet from the dirt
Treated with mebendazole

trinchinosis

Caused by Trichinella spiralis; migrates from the intestine to a muscle
Symptoms: muscle pain and swelling from eating undercooked pork, bear or contaminated ground meat
Treated with mebendazole and steroids

Pica

a craving for an unusual substance, common in worm infections