Microbiology and Immunology: Bacterial Identification, Serology, and Viral Diseases

Agglutination

Whole cell antigens binding to antibodies to form visible aggregates or clumps

Sensitivity

Ability to correctly identify patients WITH a disease (True Positive Rate)

Specificity

Ability to correctly identify patients WITHOUT a disease (True Negative Rate)

Gram Staining

A quick, non-culture phenotypic method to identify bacteria based on cell wall structure

Biochemical Tests

Determine the presence of metabolic enzymes used to digest or ferment different nutrients

Enterotube

A tube containing media for 15 biochemical tests inoculated with an unknown bacterium for identification

Phage Typing

Identifies bacteria based on susceptibility to specific viruses (bacteriophages)

Antibody Titer

Measurement of the concentration of serum antibody; a rise indicates greater immunity

Seroconversion

A significant change in antibody titer as a disease progresses; takes about 3 months for HIV

Precipitation Reaction

Reaction of soluble antigens with antibodies to form large, interlocking aggregates called lattices

Equivalence Zone

The optimal ratio of antibodies and antigens where visible precipitation occurs

Western Blot

Uses electrophoresis to separate proteins by weight, followed by antibody binding for visualization

Indirect ELISA

Immunological test used to detect specific antibodies in patient serum

Direct ELISA

Immunological test used to detect the presence of specific antigens

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction; increases/amplifies DNA levels to a testable level

Lysozyme

Enzyme in perspiration and tears that hydrolyzes bacterial cell walls (peptidoglycan)

Coagulase

Bacterial enzyme used by S. aureus to clot blood and avoid host defenses

MRSA

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; a common cause of antibiotic-resistant skin infections

Impetigo

Superficial bacterial condition resulting in flaking or peeling of the skin

Scalded Skin Syndrome

Dermolytic condition caused by exotoxins that lead to skin desquamation or peeling

Necrotizing Fasciitis

Flesh-eating disease where S. pyogenes exotoxins act as superantigens

Pyocyanin

Pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that results in blue-green pus

Measles

Viral disease characterized by oral Koplik's spots and a macular rash

Rubella

German measles; can cause congenital rubella syndrome (fetal damage) if contracted during pregnancy

Fifth Disease

Caused by Human Parvovirus B19; characterized by a slapped-cheek facial rash

Chickenpox

Caused by HHV-3; virus becomes latent in the central nerve ganglia

Shingles

Reactivation of latent HHV-3 that moves along peripheral nerves to the skin

HSV-1

Herpes Simplex Virus 1; spread orally and remains latent in trigeminal nerve ganglia

Sporotrichosis

Rose Gardener's Disease; caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenkii

Thrush

Candida albicans (yeast) infection of the mucous membranes of the mouth

Pinkeye

Common name for bacterial conjunctivitis, often caused by Haemophilus influenzae

Ophthalmia Neonatorum

Severe newborn eye infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmitted during birth

Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea; can be caused by HSV-1 or water-borne Acanthamoeba

Blood-Brain Barrier

Protective mechanism of tightly packed endothelial cells and astrocytes that limits drug/immune access to the CNS

Microglia

Specialized neurons in the CNS that perform immune functions because standard immune cells cannot cross the BBB

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges; characterized by fever, headache, and a stiff neck

N. meningitidis

Causes meningococcal meningitis; identified by a throat infection and a distinctive non-fading rash

Listeriosis

Foodborne illness (Listeria) that can grow in the fridge; dangerous in pregnancy as it can cause stillbirth

Tetanospasmin

Neurotoxin from C. tetani that blocks the relaxation pathway, causing spastic paralysis (Lockjaw)

Botulinal Toxin

Neurotoxin from C. botulinum that blocks Acetylcholine release, causing flaccid paralysis

Leprosy

Caused by Mycobacterium leprae; an acid-fast rod that grows in peripheral nerves and skin

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the heart's inner lining; Acute is usually S. aureus, Subacute is usually alpha-hemolytic streptococci

Rheumatic Fever

Autoimmune complication of S. pyogenes (Strep throat) that can damage heart valves

Anthrax

Bacillus anthracis; pulmonary (inhalation) form has 100% mortality rate

Lyme Disease

Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by deer ticks; characterized by a bull's-eye rash

Epstein-Barr Virus

Cause of Infectious Mononucleosis; replicates in B cells causing them to look like monocytes

AIDS

Phase 3 of HIV infection; diagnosed when CD4+ T cell count drops below 200 cells/μl

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