Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes

A set of 50 flashcards focused on vocabulary related to microbial diseases of the skin and eyes, derived from lecture notes.

Conjunctivitis

An inflammation of the conjunctiva, also known as red eye or pinkeye.

Staphylococcus

A genus of bacteria that are spherical and can cause skin disease.

Streptococcus

A genus of bacteria that are spherical and often arranged in chains, responsible for skin infections.

Epidermis

The thin outer layer of skin composed of epithelial cells.

Dermis

The thick inner portion of skin primarily made of connective tissue.

Sebum

An oily secretion from the skin that inhibits pathogens.

Acne

A skin disease characterized by blocked hair follicles combining with sebum.

Lysozyme

An enzyme found in sweat that breaks down bacterial cell walls.

Comedonal acne

Mild acne that is easily treated with topical formations.

Propionibacterium acnes

The bacterium that causes inflammatory acne.

Necrotizing fasciitis

A severe, rapidly progressing infection characterized as 'flesh-eating' disease.

Tinea pedis

Also known as athlete's foot, a fungal infection affecting the feet.

Corynebacterium xerosis

An aerobic bacterium that occupies the skin surface.

Malassezia furfur

A yeast that causes dandruff and is part of the skin microbiota.

Scalded skin syndrome

A condition caused by Staphylococcus aureus resulting in skin peeling.

Homeostasis

The body's effort to maintain a stable internal environment.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that can be beneficial or pathogenic.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of antibiotics.

Trachoma

A bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to preventable blindness.

Ophthalmia neonatorum

A bacterial infection in newborns caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis.

Fungi

A kingdom of usually multicellular organisms that includes yeasts and molds.

Keratin

A waterproof protein found in the outer layer of the epidermis.

Vesicles

Small, fluid-filled lesions on the skin.

Bullae

Fluid-filled lesions larger than 1 cm in diameter.

Macules

Flat, reddened lesions on the skin.

Papules

Raised lesions often associated with inflammatory responses.

Pustules

Raised lesions filled with pus.

Superantigen

A class of antigens that cause excessive activation of the immune response.

Inclusion conjunctivitis

A type of conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

Reye's syndrome

A severe complication of chickenpox characterized by vomiting and brain dysfunction.

Mucous membranes

Tightly packed epithelial cells that line body cavities open to the exterior.

Cutaneous mycoses

Fungal infections that colonize the outer epidermis, hair, and nails.

Candida albicans

A yeast that can cause infections in the skin and mucous membranes.

Scabies

A skin condition caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, leading to itching and inflammatory lesions.

Pediculosis

An infestation of lice, a type of parasitic insect.

HHV-3

Human herpesvirus 3, responsible for chickenpox and shingles.

Streptolysins

Virulence factors produced by Streptococcus that lyse red blood cells.

Staphylococcus epidermidis

A coagulase-negative bacterium that is part of the normal skin microbiota.

Zoster vaccine

A vaccine used to prevent shingles caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus.

Beta-hemolytic streptococci

Streptococcus species that lyse red blood cells and can cause disease.

Fungal Mycosis

An infection caused by fungi.

Lysozyme

An enzyme in sweat and tears that attacks bacterial cell walls.

Canker sores

Painful sores in the mouth that are not caused by herpes.

Cold sores

Blisters caused by herpes viruses, primarily HSV-1.

Viral diseases

Diseases caused by viruses, many of which may be transmitted via respiratory routes.