Microbial Control Methods and Infectious Diseases

This set of flashcards encompasses vocabulary and key concepts related to microbial control methods, infectious diseases, their transmission, and control measures.

Sterilization

The complete removal or destruction of all viable microorganisms.

Disinfection

Destruction or removal of vegetative pathogens, but not bacterial endospores.

Antisepsis

Chemicals applied to body surfaces to destroy or inhibit vegetative pathogens.

Microbicidal agents

Antimicrobial agents aimed at destroying a specific group of microorganisms (e.g., bactericides, fungicides).

Sanitation

Reducing microbial load; cleansing technique that removes microorganisms from inanimate surfaces.

Degermation

Reduction of microbial load from living tissue by mechanical means.

Microbistasis

Antimicrobial agents that temporarily prevent microbes from multiplying.

Cell wall disruption

Some antimicrobial drugs, detergents, and alcohols cause the cell wall to become fragile and lead to cell lysis.

Cell membrane integrity loss

Surfactants cause the loss of integrity of the cell membrane.

Protein denaturation

Alcohols, phenols, acids, and heat disrupt or denature proteins.

Narrow-spectrum drugs

Effective on a small range of microbes, targeting specific components.

Broad-spectrum drugs

Effective on a wide range of microbes, targeting common components.

Drug resistance

An adaptive response where microorganisms tolerate drug levels that would typically be inhibitory.

Normal resident microbiota

Microbes that engage in mutual or commensal associations with humans.

Infection

Condition where pathogenic microbes penetrate host defenses, enter tissues, and multiply.

Pathogen

Microbe acting as an infectious agent.

Incubation period

Time from initial contact with an infectious agent to the appearance of first symptoms.

Prodromal stage

Vague feelings of discomfort and nonspecific complaints.

Period of invasion

Stage where the infectious agent multiplies at high levels and becomes well-established.

Convalescent period

Stage where symptoms decline as the person responds to the infection.

Localized infection

Infection where microbes remain confined to a specific tissue.

Systemic infection

Infection that spreads to multiple sites and tissue fluids, usually in the bloodstream.

Mixed infection

Infection where several microbes grow simultaneously at the infection site.

Communicable disease

Disease that can be transmitted from an infected host to another host.

Epidemic occurrence

When the prevalence of a disease is increasing beyond what is expected.

Pandemic occurrence

Epidemic that occurs across continents.

Point-source epidemic

A small scale epidemic where all cases arise from exposure to a single source.

Common-source epidemic

Epidemic where all cases are from exposure to the same source.

Propagated epidemic

Epidemic showing a sustained increase over time, indicating person-to-person communication.

Inanimate objects

Non-living items subjected to sterilization or disinfection methods.

Antiseptic soap

Chemical agent used for antisepsis on body surfaces.

Bleach

Chemical used as a disinfectant to remove vegetative pathogens.

Iodine

Chemical used as an antiseptic for body surfaces.

Moist heat sterilization

Sterilization method that uses steam under pressure.

Dry heat sterilization

Sterilization method that uses hot air in an oven.

Incineration

A method of sterilization that involves burning materials to destroy all microorganisms.

UV radiation

Non-ionizing radiation used for sterilization that disrupts microbial DNA.

X-ray

Ionizing radiation used to sterilize by damaging microbial DNA.

Chemical agents

Substances used for disinfection, sanitation, or antisepsis.

Filtration

Physical separation method used to remove microorganisms from liquids or air.

Antimicrobial drug targets

Components in an actively dividing cell that drugs aim to inhibit.

Cell wall synthesis inhibition

Targeting the process of building the bacterial cell wall.

Nucleic acid function interference

Disruption of DNA and RNA functions needed for replication.

Protein synthesis inhibition

Blocking the processes required for protein production.

Metabolic pathway blockage

Interference with key metabolic processes within microorganisms.

Toxins

Substances produced by microbes that can cause damage to host tissue.

Disruption of host defenses

When the immune response is inappropriate or excessive, causing damage.

Flow diagram

Visual representation of the stages of infection and disease progression.

Organism in natural reservoir

A host or environment where microorganisms live naturally and can be accessed.

Fungi used for antibiotics

Molds from the Penicillium and Cephalosporium genera producing antimicrobial substances.

Bacterial genera involved in antibiotics

Streptomyces and Bacillus, known for their antibiotic production.

Surface proteins

Molecular components on pathogens that assist in adherence to host tissues.

Fimbriae

Hair-like structures on bacteria that aid in attachment to surfaces.

Capsules

Protective layers around some bacteria that aid in evading host defenses.

Viral spikes

Surface structures that viruses use to attach to host cells.

Hooks

Structures used by certain microorganisms to adhere to host tissues.

Exogenous agents

Pathogens sourced outside of the body.

Endogenous agents

Pathogens that already exist within or on the body.

Direct damage

Tissue damage caused directly by infectious agents.

Indirect damage

Damage caused by the host's immune response to infection.

Microbial chemotherapy

The treatment of infections using antimicrobial drugs.

Vaccine technology

Methods used to create immunization against specific infectious diseases.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases spread and can be controlled in populations.

Vector-borne transmission

Transmission of pathogens via living organisms, such as insects.

Fomites

Inanimate objects that may carry infections.

Vertical transmission

Transmission of pathogens from parent to offspring.

Horizontal transmission

Transmission of pathogens between individuals in the same generation.

Contact precautions

Preventive measures taken to decrease the risk of direct transmission.

Isolation precautions

Measures to separate infected individuals from healthy populations.

Quarantine measures

Restrictions placed on individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease.

Health literacy

Understanding health information to make appropriate health decisions.

Infection control measures

Practices used in healthcare settings to reduce the risk of infections.

Outbreak investigation

Process of identifying the source and extent of a disease spread.

Surveillance systems

Programs designed to monitor the occurrence of diseases.

National health policies

Regulations that govern health practices at a national level.

Global health initiatives

Programs aimed at improving health outcomes on a worldwide scale.

Epidemic intelligence

The capacity to respond rapidly to emerging infectious disease threats.

Microbial ecology

Study of the relationship between microorganisms and their environment.

Infection prevention

Strategies implemented to prevent the onset of infections.

Community health education

Programs that inform the public about health and disease prevention.

Vaccine efficacy

Effectiveness of vaccines in providing protection against diseases.

Immunization programs

Initiatives to increase the rates of vaccination in the population.