Vaccines, Antimicrobial Drugs, and Diagnostic Tests

Flashcards based on lecture notes about vaccines, antimicrobial drugs, and diagnostic tests.

What is the difference between naturally acquired and artificially acquired immunity?

Naturally acquired immunity is when the body makes antibodies without technological help, while artificially acquired immunity involves technology (e.g., vaccines).

What is the difference between active and passive immunity?

Active immunity is when the body produces antibodies, and it's long-term. Passive immunity is when antibodies are ready-made, and it's short-term.

What observation did Edward Jenner make that led to the smallpox vaccine?

Edward Jenner noticed that milkmaids who worked with cowpox did not get smallpox, leading him to hypothesize they received immunity from cowpox.

Define variolation.

Variolation was an initial method for treating smallpox by slowly introducing people to smallpox material so that their immune system can prepare. However, the smallpox material is alive and could cause worse symptoms.

Define vaccination.

Vaccination is a preparation of antigens injected to stimulate the adaptive system to produce antibodies against the actual pathogen.

Name the two main categories of vaccines and their subcategories.

1) Attenuated Vaccine (Alive but weakened so low virulence): a) Attenuated Bacteria, b) Attenuated Virus. 2) Inactivated Vaccine (No live materials so almost zero virulence): a) Inactivated Whole Agent, b) Toxoid, c) Subunit, d) Conjugated, e) DNA/mRNA

What is an attenuated vaccine?

A live vaccine but weakened so it has low virulence and is not recommended for immunocompromised individuals.

What makes a disease a good candidate for eradication by vaccines?

A good candidate disease has requirements like: the pathogen does not mutate, is lower on the resistance list, only infects humans, can be grown in a lab, is inexpensive, is oral instead of needles, provides life-long immunity, and has a stable shelf-life without refrigeration for poor countries.

Besides smallpox, what disease is hoped to be the next to be eradicated by vaccines?

Polio

What function does a conjugated vaccine serve?

Attaches a capsule (sugar) to an inactivated toxin (toxoid) since sugar alone won't trigger the immune system, and then the immune system will produce antibodies for both because Capsules hide the bacteria, especially in kids where their boddies dont recognize sugar as threat

Explain what ELISA is.

ELISA stands for Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay and is a diagnostic test.

List the three types of ELISA tests.

1) Direct ELISA, 2) Indirect ELISA, 3) Sandwich ELISA

How does Direct Elisa work?

Detects Patient's Antigen
Patient Antigen → Manufactured Enzyme-Linked Antibody → Substrate → Color Change

How does Indirect Elisa work?

Detects Patient's Antibodies
Manufactured Antigen → Patient’s Antibodies → Manufactured Enzyme-Linked Antibody → Substrate → Color Change

How does Sandwhich Elisa work?

Detects Antigen by sandwiching it
Manufactured Antibodies → Patient’s Antigen → Manufactured Enzyme-Link Antibodies → Substrate → Color Change

What is the general mode of action for Cell Wall Inhibitor (Beta-Lactams)?

It contains 3-Carbon and 1- Nitrogen Ring that resembles a component required to make cell wall, so bacteria incorporate it, and then it will have a cidal effect.

What is the specific cellular target of Cell Wall Inhibitor (Beta-Lactams)?

Peptidoglycan and Block enzymes PBP (needed to build peptidoglycan)

How does Vancomycin work as a Non-Beta Lactam Cell Wall Inhibitor?

It interferes with alanine amino acids in the cross-bridge of the cell wall.

How does Isoniazid work as a Non-Beta Lactam Cell Wall Inhibitor?

It blocks the production of enzymes for mycolic acid production to form the cell wall.

How does Ethambutol work as a Non-Beta Lactam Cell Wall Inhibitor?

It interferes with the integration of mycolic acid into the cell wall.

What is a major disadvantage of using Ethambutol?

Issues with patient compliance since treatment is too long

What is one disadvantage of using cell membrane inhibitors?

Cell membrane inhibitors are not common since humans also have cell membranes, making them potentially toxic; therefore, usage is topical

How do protein synthesis inhibitors - 30s affect bacteria?

They change the shape of the 30s ribosome

How do Tetracyclines work?

Block the docking site of tRNA on 30s Ribosome

How do protein synthesis inhibitors - 50s affect bacteria?

They block the 50s ribosome so peptide bonds cannot form in amino acids.

How do Macrolides work?

Blocks movement of 50s Ribosome along mRNA

What is the method of action for Antimetabolites?

Shut down metabolic pathways / Analog of PABA/Vitamin B

What is the mode of action for Nucleic Acid Inhibitors?

Shut down DNA/ RNA Fluoroquinolones

What specific part of DNA function is targeted by Fluoroquinolones Nucleic Acid Inhibitors?

Targets DNA Gyrase which is needed for DNA replication during binary fission

What is the mode of action for Rifampin?

Inhibits RNA polymerase to block the synthesis of mRNA

What is Koch's Postulates?

1.) Same pathogen must be present in all the disease cases
2.) Pathogen should be isolated and grown in pure culture
3.) Pathogen should be injected into a healthy susceptible animal
4.) The same pathogen should be present when re-isolating.

What is herd immunity?

Herd Immunity is when a given population reaches a high amount of vaccinated individuals that protect the ones that cannot get vaccinated. The herd refers to the people capable of vaccination. It protects the vulnerable people that cannot get the vaccination.