HMI P1

What is normal microbiota

Microbes that live in the body without causing disease under normal conditions

What areas of our body have normal/permanent micrbiota

Upper respiratory tract, Gastro, Urogenital tract

What areas of our body are relatively sterile

Nervous system, lower respiratory tract, Cardiovascular system (blood)

What impedes microbes from entering our nervous system

The blood brain barrier

What three cell types make up the nervous system barrier

Endothelial cells, astrocytes, neurons

would you expect to find microbes in CSF of a healthy individual

NO

Steps of the progression of an infection of a microbial pathogen

Exposure

Adhesion

Invasion

Infection

Potential Pathogen portals of entry for microbial pathogens

Skin, Gastrointestinal tract, Respiratory tract, Urogenital tract, Placenta

Ways that microbial pathogens can penetrate the skin barrier

puncture, digestive enzymes, parenteral routes

Parenteral Route

Bites, needles

What types of disease do microbial pathogens that enter the host via the gastrointestinal tract cause

Food and waterborne diseases

What is the most frequent and easiest portal of entry

Respiratory tract

Which portal of entry is used by pathogens that cause STDs

Urogenital tract

How can pathogens infect the fetus

They travel through the umbilical vein

How can newborns be exposed to pathogens during birth; Example

They can pick up an infection through the birth canal of an affected mother

Can all microbial pathogens use all available portals of entry

No, each microbe has a preferred portal of entry

What is the term for microbial structures used to bind to specific receptors

Adhesion factors

Types of microbial adhesion factors

Fimbriae, glycocalyx, viral protein spikes, adhesive disks