Microbiology and Infection Control Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, pathogens, and infection control concepts from the lecture transcript.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism or organism in humans.

Normal Flora

Microorganisms that naturally live in and on the human body to protect against harmful pathogens and assist in digestion.

Bacteria

One-celled microorganisms defined by their shape that can be treated with antibiotics.

Virus

A tiny parasite that lives and reproduces within a host cell, is not endemic to the human body, and cannot be cured by antibiotics.

Cocci

Sphere-shaped bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Bacillus

Rod-shaped bacteria, such as Escherichia coli.

Spirillum

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Endemic

Naturally residing or living within a human body or specific environment.

Gram-negative Bacteria

Bacteria that stain pink when viewed under a microscope, indicating specific antibiotic susceptibility.

Gram-positive Bacteria

Bacteria that stain purple when viewed under a microscope, indicating specific antibiotic susceptibility.

Protozoa

Single-celled animals living in water that are treated with antiparasitic drugs, such as Trichomonas.

Fungus

An organism composed of one or more cells treated with antifungal medications, such as yeast (Candida).

Helminth

A parasitic worm that inhabits the human gastrointestinal tract, such as tapeworms or pinworms.

Nosocomial Infection

An infection acquired within a hospital, healthcare facility, or healthcare environment.

Clostridium difficile

A spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus causing severe diarrhea ($30$ or more bowel movements per day), often developing after antibiotic therapy.

Antipyretic

A medication, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, used to lower body temperature and reduce fever.

Enterobius

White thread-like pinworms in the GI tract, representing the most common parasitic worm in the United States.

Taenia

A tapeworm acquired through uncooked meat that attaches to the intestinal wall using suckers and teeth.

Primary Infection

An initial infection caused directly by a specific pathogen.

Secondary Infection

An infection caused by a different pathogen following a primary infection due to a weakened immune system.

Localized Infection

An infection that is confined to a single area or spot on the body.

Systemic Infection

An infection that spreads throughout the entire bloodstream or body.

Phagocyte

A specialized white blood cell that engulfs and eats invading pathogens.

Complement Cascade

A defense mechanism where specialized proteins attack a pathogen by rupturing its cell wall with fluid entry.

T cells

Lymphocytes originating in the thymus that play a role in immune defense, whose function decreases as the thymus shrinks with age.

B cells

Lymphocytes originating in the bone marrow that assist in the antigen-antibody immune response.

Standard Precautions

Safety measures including handwashing and wearing gloves, applied to all patients to prevent pathogen transmission from blood and body fluids.

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique; practices such as hand hygiene and standard precautions performed to reduce the spread of infection.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique; practices performed to eliminate all microorganisms and microbes from an item or environment.

Airborne Transmission

Infection spread via tiny, lightweight particles that remain suspended in the air for long periods, requiring negative pressure rooms and N95 masks.

Droplet Transmission

Infection spread through respiratory droplets created by coughing or sneezing, traveling up to about $30\text{ feet}$.