Host-Microbe Interaction and Immunology

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to host-microbe interactions, immunology, and microbiological applications.

Clinical Infection

Infections with observable signs and symptoms.

Subclinical Infection

Infection with a pathogen, but without symptoms.

Localized Infection

Infection confined to one area of the body.

Systemic Infection

Infection that spreads to different areas of the body.

Iatrogenic Infection

Infection that originates from a medical practitioner or health professional.

Exogenous

infection from external environment

Endogenous

infection from within the human host

Transmission Modes

Various ways infections can spread, including contact, vehicle, and vector transmission.

Respiratory-salivary route

Droplets – sneezing propels mucus droplets, transmitting virus to a new host

Saliva

Soil-dust

Water aerosols

Oral-Faecal route

• personal transfer (direct)

• food and water (indirect)

Sexual Transmission

genital-genital

genital-oral

genital-anal

blood and wounds (transmission)

Intravenous drug use

Injuries

Surgery

Needle pricks

Transfusions

Zoonoses

direct animal-human

animal-vector-human

human-vector-human

reservoirs of infectious agents

ANIMATE: healthy, active disease, convalescent

INANIMATE

What is epidemiology (+ 2 types)

Epidemiology is the study of the spread, frequency and distribution of disease

1. Descriptive epidemiology: data relating to location, ages, time, occupation to track disease

2. Analytical epidemiology: focuses on cause, transmission and prevention

Endemic

a disease present in a community all the time, only at low levels

Epidemic

wide spread disease witgina specific community or population that is only occasionally present

Pandemic

wide spread epidemic, not confined to a single location

SPoradic

widely scattered disease, occurring irregularly

Aetiology

The cause of a disease.

Outbreak of infection

occurrence in number of cases of disease over the expected in a given time in a given place

Morbidity

The number of individuals made ill by an infective agent.

Mortality

The number of deaths caused by an infective agent.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease over a specific period.

Prevalence

The number of cases of a disease at a given time, both old and new.

Control of epidemic diseases

- Prevent contamination of water supplies

- Proper treatment of water

- Proper sewage treatment

- Immunisaton – provides protection to an individual

- Educate the public

- Eliminate reservoirs of infection

• Isolate diseased persons

• Immunisation programs – creates herd immunity

• Treat sick persons

What 3 factors affect the disease spread

- Virulence of the pathogen

- Pathogen transmission mode

- Population susceptibility – immunity

What are host defenses

Is the ability of the host to resist attack

Host mechanisms involved in preventing disease: can be targeting external (infection) or internal (cancer)

Lymph Capillaries

Responsible for transport of fluid and proteins, and provide a transport system for the cells of the immune system. Transports;

• albumin

• fluid leaked from blood capillaries

Lymph vessels

Collect fluid from tissues and bring it back to blood. Is ONE DIRECTION/BLIND ENDED

Lymph Organ - primary

Pluripotent Stem Cells

Production of immunocompetent (T cells and B cells)

Red Bone Marrow: Flat bones, epiphyses is where mature B cells and immature T cells are produced

Thymus: Immature T cells migrate and mature here

Lymph Organs: Secondary

• Site of most immune responses

  • Lymphocytes reside and respond

  • Lymph nodes

• Organs (capsules)

  • Lymph nodes, spleen

• Tissues (no capsules)

  • Lymphatic nodules

  • Tonsils

  • Appendix

  • Peyer’s patches

• Lymphocyte recirculation

  • B and T cells move from one location to another

  • Immune response

Immunization

A process that provides protection against infections.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs and destroys invading pathogens.

Innate Immune System

Non-specific defenses that do not require prior exposure to foreign agents.

Adaptive Immune System

Immunity that improves with repeated exposure to an antigen.

Natural Killer Cells

Cells that destroy virus-infected cells and cancer cells.

Antigens

Foreign objects that stimulate the generation of antibodies.

Antibodies

Specialized proteins produced by B cells that recognize and attach to antigens.

Active Immunity

Immunity that is developed in response to an antigen.

Passive Immune Mechanisms

Short-term immunity provided by the administration of antibodies.

Autoimmune Disease

When the immune system mistakenly attacks self-antigens.

Food Microbiology

The study of microbial impacts on food safety and spoilage.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of organic material in water based on the oxygen required for microbial degradation.

Waste Water Treatment

The processes used to remove contaminants from water.