vm part 1 midterm

Disease

A finite abnormality of structure or function with an identifiable pathological basis and recognizable clinical signs.

Pathogenesis

The cellular events, reactions, and biologic mechanisms occurring in the development of disease.

Zoonosis

An infectious disease transmitted between animals and humans.

Necropsy

A post-mortem examination of an animal (not an autopsy).

Clinical Signs

Evidence of disease perceived by an observer.

Symptoms

Sensations reported by the patient.

SOAP Format

A standardized way to record observations in a physical exam.

Physical Examination

A thorough evaluation requiring all senses, including subjective and objective portions.

Epidemiology

The study of disease patterns in populations, including disease trends, diagnostic statistics, and clinical trials.

Epizootiology

The study of disease in animal populations.

Pathogen

A disease-causing agent.

Pathogenicity

The measure of an agent's ability to induce disease.

Virulence

The degree of pathogenicity of an infectious agent.

Morbidity

The condition of being diseased.

Mortality

The condition of being dead.

Carrier

An animal harboring an infectious agent.

Reservoir

A carrier that serves as a source of infection for other susceptible animals.

Endemic

The usual frequency of a disease in a population.

Epidemic

A disease occurrence higher than expected.

Pandemic

A widespread epidemic affecting large portions of the population.

Sporadic

A single or clustered case of disease not normally present in an area.

Incidence Rate

The number of new disease cases over time in a population at risk.

Prevalence

The number of existing disease cases at a point in time in a population.

Case Fatality Rate

The number of deaths from a disease divided by the total cases of that disease.

R₀ (Basic Reproductive Rate)

The number of secondary cases from a single infected individual in a susceptible population.

Epidemiological Triangle

The model of disease occurrence involving host, agent, and environment.

Inflammation

The body's immune response to infection or trauma, involving increased blood supply, capillary permeability, and leukocyte migration.

Antigen

A molecule recognized by the immune system, containing multiple epitopes.

Epitope

The specific part of an antigen that an antibody binds to.

Innate Immunity

The non-specific immune defense that does not change with repeated exposure.

Adaptive Immunity

The highly specific immune response that improves with each exposure.

Humoral Immunity

The antibody-mediated immune response.

Cellular Immunity

The cell-mediated immune response.

Phagocytosis

The process by which immune cells engulf and destroy pathogens.

Granuloma

A chronic inflammatory lesion with macrophages and fibrosis.

Abscess

A collection of pus primarily composed of neutrophils.

B Cells

Lymphocytes that produce antibodies when activated.

Antibody (Immunoglobulin)

A protein produced by B cells that binds to antigens.

Opsonization

The process where antibodies mark pathogens for destruction by phagocytes.

T Cells

Lymphocytes that mediate cell-based immune responses.

T Helper Cells

Assist B cells in antibody production and phagocytes in pathogen destruction.

T Cytotoxic Cells

Destroy infected host cells.

T Suppressor Cells

Downregulate the immune response.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules in immune responses, including chemokines, interleukins, and interferons.

Complement System

A group of proteins that aid the immune response through opsonization, inflammation, and antibody interactions.

Autoimmunity

An immune response against self.

Immunodeficiency

A defective immune system, either inherited or acquired.

Hypersensitivity

Excessive immune responses, such as allergies and asthma.

Diagnostic Test

A tool used to plan treatment, evaluate treatment efficacy, and make a prognosis.

True Positive

A test correctly identifying an infected individual.

False Negative

A test incorrectly identifying an infected individual as uninfected.

False Positive

A test incorrectly identifying an uninfected individual as infected.

True Negative

A test correctly identifying an uninfected individual.

Sensitivity

The ability of a test to detect those infected (true positive rate).

Specificity

The ability of a test to correctly identify uninfected individuals (true negative rate).

Culture Techniques

Methods for growing microorganisms to identify pathogens.

Histopathology

The microscopic examination of tissues to study disease progression.

Titer

The measurement of antibody concentration in serum through serial dilution.

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)

A test that uses a color reaction to detect antigens or antibodies.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A molecular method that amplifies DNA or RNA for pathogen detection.

Western Blot

A technique used to detect specific proteins, such as antibodies.

Vaccination

The process of inducing immunity to protect against infectious disease.

Herd Immunity

The resistance of a population to disease due to a high proportion of immune individuals.

Passive Immunity

The transfer of antibodies from a sensitized individual, such as through colostrum or antitoxins.

Active Immunity

Immunity acquired through vaccination or infection.

Colostrum

The first milk rich in antibodies, especially IgG, providing neonatal immunity.

Serum Sickness

An allergic reaction to antibodies from a different species.

Inactivated Vaccine

A vaccine using killed pathogens or toxins to trigger an immune response.

Modified Live Vaccine (MLV)

A vaccine with an attenuated (weakened) pathogen that still induces immunity.

Adjuvant

A substance added to vaccines to enhance the immune response.

mRNA Vaccine

A vaccine using synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to produce an antigenic protein.

Booster Vaccine

A follow-up dose to strengthen or maintain immunity.

Prion

A misfolded infectious protein that causes neurodegenerative diseases.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)

A group of prion diseases causing brain degeneration.

Scrapie

A prion disease in sheep and goats, causing behavioral and neurological symptoms.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

Also known as Mad Cow Disease, affecting cattle.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

A prion disease in deer, elk, and moose, causing weight loss and neurological issues.

Kuru

A human prion disease associated with cannibalism.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

A human prion disease causing rapid neurological decline.

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD)

A form of CJD linked to consuming BSE-infected meat.

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI)

A genetic prion disease leading to sleep disturbances and death.

Transmission of Prions

Can occur through contaminated feed, genetic inheritance, or bodily fluids.

Resistance of Prions

Prions are highly resistant to heat, sterilization, and many disinfectants.

Control Measures - prion

Avoid consumption of infected material, regulate animal feed, and euthanize infected animals.