MICRO BIO EXAM NOTES STUDY GUIDE

Penicillin

A bacterial cidal antibiotic that kills bacteria and is effective for various infections.

Penicillinase-resistant

Only effective against staph infections, but not effective against MRSA.

RIPES

First-line treatment for tuberculosis including Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, and Streptomycin.

Bactrim (Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole)

An antibiotic effective for gram-negative urinary tract infections.

Aminoglycosides

Antibiotics used for severe infections like bacteremia, often combined with others for broader coverage.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with a thicker peptidoglycan cell wall, examples include Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria with a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, examples include Escherichia coli.

Endotoxins

Toxins found in gram-negative bacteria released when the bacterial cell is destroyed, can cause severe reactions.

Exotoxins

Toxins actively released by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, causing severe damage.

Hepatitis A

An RNA virus that is transmitted via fecal-oral route and currently has no cure.

Hepatitis B

A bloodborne DNA virus that can lead to liver disease.

Hepatitis C

A bloodborne RNA virus that can be cured with antiviral treatments.

Therapeutic Index

A measure of the safety of a drug; a higher index indicates a larger gap between effective and toxic doses.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

The lowest concentration of an antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth.

Empiric Therapy

Treatment initiated based on the most likely infection before culture results are available.

Penicillin Resistance

Includes mechanisms such as Penicillinase, an enzyme that breaks down penicillin.

Lytic Cycle

The phage infection cycle that includes attachment, entry, replication, assembly, and lysis of the host cell.

Dimorphic fungi

Fungi that exist in mold form inside the body and yeast form outside, or vice versa.