Review of Drug Resistance and Pathogenic Microorganisms

This set of flashcards focuses on key vocabulary and concepts related to drug-resistant pathogens, particularly focusing on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida auris, their implications in healthcare settings and related epidemiological factors.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that is an opportunistic pathogen and has a high intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics.

Candida auris

An emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause severe infections and spreads easily among hospitalized patients.

Drug resistance

The reduction in effectiveness of a medication such as an antibiotic in treating an infection.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

A group of hard-to-treat infections caused by bacteria that have become resistant to a class of antibiotics known as carbapenems.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)

Enterococci bacteria that have developed resistance to vancomycin, an antibiotic used to treat severe infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.

Biofilm

An assemblage of surface-associated microbial cells enclosed in a protective matrix.

Quorum Sensing

The chemical communication system used by bacteria to coordinate behavior based on population density.

Colony phenotype switching

The ability of bacteria or fungi to alter their physical characteristics in response to environmental changes.

Filamentation

The process by which yeast cells grow in a filamentous form, often associated with increased virulence.

Nonsocomial infections

Infections acquired in healthcare facilities that may be resistant to standard treatments.

Thermotolerance

The ability of an organism to grow at elevated temperatures compared to its counterparts.

Osmotolerance

The ability to survive in environments with high concentrations of salt.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)

Enzymes produced by some bacteria that can inactivate a wide range of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Antifungal resistance

The ability of fungi to withstand the effects of antifungal medications.

Morbidity

The condition of being diseased or having an illness.

Mortality

The state of being subject to death; often used in the context of disease.

Antimicrobial stewardship

Efforts to optimize the use of antimicrobial medications to combat resistance.

Infection control breaches

Failures to follow protocols designed to prevent the spread of infections.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)

Infections patients get while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions.

Clinical isolate

A pathogen isolated from a clinical specimen, used for testing and further study.

Skin colonization

The presence of bacteria or fungi on the skin surface without causing infection.

Virulence factor

Any characteristic of a microbe that enhances its ability to cause disease.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

A genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system, leading to thick mucus production.

Chronic infection

An infection that persists over a long period, often difficult to eradicate.

Healthcare workers

Individuals who provide health care services and may play a role in infection transmission.

Secondary metabolites

Organic compounds produced by an organism that are not directly involved in normal growth, development, or reproduction.

Intravenous catheter

A tube placed into a vein to administer fluids, medications, or nutrition.

High-risk populations

Groups of individuals more likely to acquire infections due to specific risk factors.

Invasive procedures

Medical interventions that involve entering the body, often increasing infection risk.

Antimicrobial agent

A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

Resistance mechanisms

Various strategies used by microbes to evade destruction by antimicrobial substances.

Cross-resistance

The phenomenon where resistance to one antimicrobial agent confers resistance to another.

Traveler data analysis

Examination of data related to individuals traveling between regions to track infection spread.

Mucus accumulation

The buildup of thick mucus in organs, commonly seen in cystic fibrosis.

Acidic filtration

A filtration process that removes contaminants via an acidic solution.

Environmental survival

The ability of a microorganism to persist outside a host.

Pathogenesis

The process by which an infectious agent causes disease.

Regulatory genes

Genes responsible for controlling the expression of other genes.

Secondary infection

An infection that occurs during or following another infection.

Fungal infections,

Infections caused by fungi, often difficult to treat due to resistance.

Linezolid

An antibiotic used to treat infections caused by resistant Gram-positive bacteria.

Culture and sensitivity testing

Laboratory tests to determine the type of bacteria and its susceptibility to antibiotics.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak

An occurrence of a higher-than-normal number of infections caused by P. aeruginosa in a specific area.

Outbreak investigation

The process of identifying and controlling a disease outbreak.

ICU patients

Patients being treated in an intensive care unit, often at higher risk of infections.

Surgical site infections

Infections that occur after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place.

Contamination risk

The likelihood of a harmful agent coming into contact with a patient or environment.

Intravaginal infections

Infections occurring within the vaginal canal often due to fungal or bacterial pathogens.

Antifungal susceptibility testing

Assessing the effectiveness of antifungals against fungal pathogens.

Pneumonia

An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing cough and difficulty breathing.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

The resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment.

Fecal transplants

The process of transplanting stool from a healthy donor into a patient to restore healthy gut microbiota.

Public health concern

An issue that affects the health of the public and requires collective action.

Precautionary measures

Steps taken to prevent infection spread in healthcare settings.

Risk stratification

The process of determining the risk levels of patients to tailor prevention strategies.

Yeast infection

An infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast, often Candida species.

Drug-resistant Candida

Candida species that have developed resistance to antifungal medications.

Pharmacological treatment

Use of medication in treating diseases or conditions.

Community-associated infections

Infections acquired outside of healthcare settings.