Survey of Infectious Diseases Midterm Review

Bacillus

Rod-shaped bacterium

Facultative Parasite

prefers dead organic matter as a food source but can adapt to (and survive minimally on) living organic matter under certain conditions

Disinfectant

An agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects/surfaces to destroy disease-causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores

Mixed Infection

Infection caused by two or more organisms

Antibody

a glycoprotein substance developed by the body in response to, and interacting with, an antigen; AKA immunoglobulin. A known chemical body defense

Bacteria

A procaryotic one celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera, existing as free living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having a large range of biochemical properties.

Bacteriology

The science that studies bacteria.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction involving halving of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell followed by the development of each half into a new individual cell.

Capsule

An envelope of polysaccharide or protein that surrounds certain microorganisms; a coating that surrounds some bacterial cells; a loose gel-like structure that, in pathogenic bacteria, helps to protect against phagocytosis.

Chlamydia

A large group of non-motile, gram-negative intracellular parasites.

Coccus

A type of bacteria that is spherical or ovoid (round) in form. Plural: Cocci

Diplobacilli

A double bacillus (pair of bacilli) linked end to end to each other.

Diplococci

Spherical bacteria that occur in pairs.

Fungus

A group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous. Plural: Fungi

Microbiology

Scientific study of microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms.

Mycology

The branch of science concerned with the study of fungi.

Mycoplasmas

A group of bacteria (of the Mycoplasma genus) found in humans that lack cell walls and are highly pleomorphic (able to assume different forms); the smallest free living organisms presently known, being intermediate in size between viruses and bacteria.

Prion

A small proteinaceous infectious particle that believed to be responsible for spongiform encephalopathies in humans and other mammals, such as "mad cow" and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases.

Protozoa

Eukaryotic, animal-like organisms of the Kingdom Protista; most are unicellular although some are colonial; some may be pathogenic.

Protozoology

Science that deals with the study of protozoa.

Rickettsia

A genus of gram-negative, pathogenic, obligate intracellular parasitic bacteria.

Rickettsiology

Area of science that studies Rickettsia.

Spirillum

A genus of spiral bacteria having a tightly coiled corkscrew-shape with a rigid cell wall; rigid when motile. Plural: Spirilla.

Spirochete

Spiral-shaped bacteria having a flexible cell wall.

Staphylococci

A genus of spherical, gram-positive, non-motile, opportunistic bacteria which tend to aggregate in irregular, grape-like clusters. Singular: Staphylococcus.

Streptobacilli

A genus of bacteria containing gram-negative rods which form a chain-like colony. Singular: Streptobacillus.

Streptococci

Spherical-shaped, gram-positive cocci (bacteria) occurring in chains. Singular: Streptococcus

Vibrio

A genus of spiral bacteria which are curved or bent rods that resemble commas.

Virology

The study of viruses and viral disease.

Virus

An intracellular, infectious parasite, capable of living and reproducing only in living cells, containing only one form of nucleic acid.

Antagonism

Mutual opposition or contrary action. The inhibition of one bacterial organism by another.

Autotrophic Bacteria

Self-nourishing bacteria that are capable of growing in the absence of organic compounds. Organisms that obtain carbon from carbon dioxide.

Bacterial Colony

A visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism.

Commensalism

The symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit, such as protection or nourishment, and the other is not harmed or benefited.

Facultative Aerobe

A microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen.

Facultative Anaerobe

A microorganism that prefers the presence of oxygen but is capable of living and growing in its absence.

Facultative Parasite

Prefers dead organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of living organic matter under certain conditions.

Facultative Saprophyte

Prefers living organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions.

Heterotrophic Bacteria

Organisms that must obtain their nourishment from complex organic matter (a carbon source) in order to grow and develop.

Maximum Temperature

Temperature above which bacterial growth will not take place.

Mesophile

Bacteria that prefer moderate temperatures and develop best a temperatures between 25°C and 40°C.

Microaerophilic

Requiring very little free oxygen; as found within certain bacteria.

Minimum Temperature

Temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place.

Mutualism

A relationship in which organisms of two different species live in close association to the mutual benefit of each.

Non-Symbiotic

Organisms that are free-living; relationships are not required for survival.

Optimum Temperature

Temperature at which organisms grow best.

Osmotic Pressure

Pressure that develops when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semi-permeable membrane. Pressure that would have to be applied to a pure solvent to prevent it from passing into a given solution by osmosis, often used to express the concentration of the solution.

Parasitism

An interactive relationship between two organisms in which one is harmed and the other benefits.

Psychrophile

Bacteria that prefer cold, thriving at temperatures between 0°C and 25°C.

Strict/Obligate Aerobe

A microbe that can survive only in the presence of free oxygen.

Strict/Obligate Anaerobe

A microbe that can survive only in the absence of free oxygen.

Strict/Obligate Parasite

An organism that is completely dependent on its living host for survival; microorganism requiring living organic matter for nutrition.

Strict/Obligate Saprophyte

An organism that can survive only on dead or decaying organic matter; microorganism requiring non-living organic matter for nutrition.

Symbiosis

A relationship in which organisms of different species live in close nutritional relationships.

Synergism

The relationship between two or more microorganisms of different species in which they grow better together but can survive alone. The harmonious action of two microorganisms producing an effect that neither could produce alone.

Thermophile

Bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures, between 40°C and 70°C; some may grow at temperatures above 85°C.

Antisepsis

The prevention of sepsis by preventing or inhibiting the growth of causative microorganisms.

Bactericide

An agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores.

Disinfectant

An agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects/surfaces to destroy disease-causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores.

Fungicide

An agent that kills fungi and their spores.

Germicide

A substance that destroys microorganisms.

Iodophore

A compound containing iodine which is often used as a preoperative skin disinfectant.

Sanitation

A process to promote and establish conditions which minimize or eliminate biohazards.

Sterilization

A process of completely removing or destroying all life forms and/or their products on or in a substance.

Virucide

An agent destructive to viruses.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the blood.

Biological Vector

An arthropod vector in which the disease-causing organism multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective for a susceptible individual.

Communicable

A disease that may be transmitted either directly or indirectly between individuals by an infectious agent.

Contamination

The act of introducing pathogens (disease germs) or infectious material into or on an inanimate object.

Endemic

A disease that is continuously present in a given population/region but has low mortality.

Endogenous Infection

Organism disorder caused by an infectious agent already present in the body.

Endospore

A thick-walled body produced by a bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and develop into new vegetative cells; characteristic of the genera Bacillus and Clostridium.

Endotoxin

A bacterial toxin confined within the body of a bacterium that is freed only when the bacterium cell producing it disintegrates/is broken down; found only in a gram-negative bacteria.

Epidemic

An infectious disease or condition that is currently in higher than normal numbers in a given population. Appearance of an infectious disease or condition that attacks many people at the same time in the same geographical area.

Exogenous Infection

Originating outside an organ or part; a form of infection caused by a pathogen or agent not normally present in the body.

Exotoxin

A bacterial toxin produced by a microorganism within a living cell and excreted into its surrounding medium, generally protein in nature.

Focal Infection

One in which the organisms are originally confined to one area but enter the blood or lymph vessels and spread to other parts of the body.

Fomite

Any inanimate object that harbors a disease agent and may serve to transmit it.

General Infection

An infection that involves the whole body; also known as Systemic Infection.

Infection

A disease caused by microorganisms, especially those that release toxins or invade body tissues; the state or condition in which the body or a part of it is invaded by a pathogenic agent that, under favorable conditions, multiplies and produces injurious effects; inflammation caused by living agents.

Local Infection

An infection confined to one area of the body.

Mechanical Vector

A living organism capable of transmitting infections by carrying the disease agent on its external body parts or surfaces.

Normal Flora

The microbial population that lives with the host in a healthy condition; microorganisms that have become established in a given area; e.g. those organisms that have found a permanent home in some area of the human body.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has become very widespread or is worldwide.

Pathogenicity

The state of producing or being able to produce pathological changes and disease; ability of a microorganism to cause disease.

Primary Infection

An original infection from which a second infection originates.

Secondary infection

Infection caused by a different organism than the one causing the primary infection; infection occurring in a host already suffering from an infection.

Septicemia

Condition characterized by the presence of bacteria in the blood.

Sporadic Disease

A disease which occurs occasionally in a random or isolated manner.

Toxemia

The presence of toxins in the blood. Blood distribution throughout the body of poisonous products of bacteria growing in a focal or local site, thus producing generalized symptoms.

Toxin

A poisonous substance of plant, animal, bacterial, or fungal origin.

True Pathogen

An organism that, due to its own virulence, is able to produce disease. Real or genuine disease producing organism.

Virulence

Relative power of an organism to produce disease.

Antibody

Glycoprotein substance developed by the body in response to, and interacting with, an antigen; also known as immunoglobulin.

Antigen

A foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that interact specifically with it.

Attenuation

Dilution or weakening of the virulence of a microorganism; reducing or abolishing pathogenicity.

Inflammation

A tissue reaction to irritation, infection, or injury marked by localized heat, swelling, redness, pain, and sometimes a loss of function.

Eukaryote

organisms whose cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

Prokaryote

organisms whose cells DO NOT have a nucleus. DNA and other material float around the cell. Have a cell wall

Yeast

unicellular fungus that reproduces by budding