Eukaryotic and Bacterial Pathogens Lecture Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering eukaryotic diseases, helminths, bacterial infections, digestive system pathogens, and urogenital STDs based on lecture notes.

Naegleria flowlen

A protozoan found in warm lakes that enters through the nose, follows the olfactory nerve to the brain, and has a $99\%$ death rate in $1$ week.

Leishmaniasis

A disease caused by the bite of an infected sandfly in Africa that can cause skin ulcers several months to years later and a large scale invasion of the spleen/liver (pot belly).

Trypanosomiasis

An infection spread by the blood-sucking tsetse fly involving the lymph nodes and CNS, characterized by Parkinson's-like symptoms and being sleepy during the day but awake at night.

Winterbottom

A symptom of Trypanosomiasis described as a red, hard, and painful skin ulcer.

Giardiasis

Also known as Beaver fever or hiker's diarrhea, this fecal-oral infection from animal feces in water causes greasy, frothy diarrhea and cannot survive without water.

Cryptosporidiosis

A fecal-oral infection associated with contaminated drinking water or swimming with babies in poopy diapers, notably causing the Milwaukee outbreak.

Blastomyces dermatitidis

A fungus in soil whose spores are inhaled and grow/move through the bloodstream, causing abscesses in immunocompromised individuals or presenting as pneumonia/meningitis.

Aspergillus fumigatus

A fungus found in the feces of dust mites that is the leading cause of death in Leukemia patients or bone marrow transplant recipients.

Holo sign

A diagnostic indicator for Aspergillus fumigatus appearing as a ball of fungus in the lungs.

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

A fungus that infects leaf-cutter ants and controls their brains, forcing them to climb vegetation and grip a stem before dying so fungal spores can pop out.

Valley fever

A respiratory infection caused by the inhalation of spores in soil that can range from a mild cough to severe meningitis if it moves to the brain.

Candida aruis

A drug-resistant fungus spread via person-to-person contact or contaminated surfaces in hospitals and nursing homes that can cause bloodstream, wound, or ear infections.

Guinea Worm

A helminth caused by the ingestion of copeopods in water; the worm migrates to the skin and is removed by wrapping it around a stick $\frac{1}{2}$ inch everyday.

Pinworm

A fecal-oral helminth where the worm matures in the intestine and lays eggs around the anus at night, causing an itchy butt; males are $2-3 \times$ more likely to be infested.

Flatworms

Parasites common in Africa that penetrate through the foot in contaminated water and can cause "swimmers itch" or a pot belly if ingested.

Hookworms

Soil-dwelling helminths that penetrate through the foot and sense vibrations, causing an itchy condition known as "ground itch."

Tapeworms

Parasites contracted from undercooked beef or pork that reside in the small intestine and are often asymptomatic.

Cystercosis

A condition occurring when tapeworm eggs become lodged in the muscle.

Listeria

An organism found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheese, and deli meats that can cause meningitis in neonates or spontaneous abortion in pregnant women.

Facultative intercellular organism

An organism, such as Listeria, capable of surviving both inside and outside of a host cell.

Dipthenae

An intoxication-based respiratory infection spread by droplets that presents like strep throat, commonly affecting pediatric patients.

Group A strep

Beta-hemolytic, fever-producing bacteria that mimic human cells to evade immune attacks.

Pharyngitis

Commonly known as strep throat, an infection involving swollen tonsils, pharynx, and lymph nodes spread by respiratory droplets.

Necrotizing fascitis

A skin infection known as flesh-eating disease that enters through open wounds and causes swelling, heat, and pain that "hurts more than it should."

Scarlet fever

A complication of strep throat in children aged $5-15$ that features a bumpy tongue and a scarlet red rash on the trunk and neck.

Toxic Shock syndrome

An emergency condition that can be caused by scarlet fever, resulting in a drop in blood pressure and platelet count and death from kidney failure.

Rheumatic Fever

An uncommon complication of strep throat in children aged $5-15$ characterized by uncontrollable dance movements; it may necessitate a heart transplant.

Acute-post-streptococal glumerulonephritis

A kidney disease caused by a prior GAS infection, presenting with a puffy face, dark urine, and low urine output.

Group B Strep

A bacterium carried in the vagina that is the #1 cause of neonatal meningitis; C-section is recommended if not resolved before birth.

Vindans Group strep

A group of related bacteria that are harmless residents unless the host is immunocompromised, leading to dental caries, endocarditis, or abscesses.

Group D Strep

The #2 most common hospital-acquired infection, which most frequently causes UTIs.

Strep pneumonia

An opportunistic bacterium that causes meningitis in adults and ear infections in kids; it can fill lungs with WBCs until the patient cannot breathe.

Infection (Digestive)

A condition occurring when an organism is ingested and then multiplies or releases toxins within the host.

Intoxification (Digestive)

A condition occurring when an organism produces a toxin in food which is then ingested by the host.

Dysentery

A severe form of diarrhea that is bloody and mucousy.

Gastronenteitis

Inflammation of the stomach and the intestines.

Occult blood

Microscopic blood found in stool samples.

Campylobacter gastroenteritis

An infection from contaminated retail chicken or drinking water, diagnosed using the X TAG GPP.

Enterotoxigenic E. Coll (ETEC)

A non-invasive fecal-oral infection causing watery "traveler's diarrhea" with an onset of $6-24$ hours.

Enteroivasive E. Coll (EIEC)

An invasive fecal-oral infection that causes bloody and mucousy diarrhea and fever, with a $1$ day onset.

Enteronemorrhagic E. Coli (EHEC)

An infection from ground beef or lettuce contaminated with cow feces; causes severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea with no fever.

Shigella

A human-only pathogen spread fecal-orally that causes seizures from high fever and bloody, mucousy dysentery-like diarrhea.

Salmonella

A pathogen found in poultry, eggs, and Caesar dressing that causes watery diarrhea and can survive in macrophages; onset is $12-36$ hours.

Thyphoid Fever

A condition caused by Salmonella typhi resulting in a high sustained fever, rose spots rash, and a confused "thyphoid state."

Cholera

An infection caused by Vibro cholera resulting in odorless "rice water stool" and the loss of $3-5$ gallons of fluid per day.

Vibro paraheamolytica

A non-cholera Vibro species associated with raw seafood and oysters, causing less severe diarrhea.

Staphylococcal food poisoning

An intoxification caused by enterotoxins released in food (like buffets or gravies) left out; onset is $1-6$ hours with no fever.

Peptic ulcers

Sores caused by Heliobacter pylori, which produces urease to weaken the stomach's mucosal defense; diagnosed by a urea breath test.

Viral Hepatitis A

A fecal-oral virus from water or raw seafood causing jaundice and weight loss; results in lifetime immunity once infected.

Hepatitis B

A virus spread via blood, semen, or saliva that causes joint pains and jaundice; it makes the host a carrier for life and is required for Arizona school admission.

Hepatitis C

A blood-borne only virus often transmitted through IV drug use or unsafe procedures; it is frequently asymptomatic.

Norovirus

The #1 cause of gut inflammation, common on cruise ships and in winter; it can survive alcohol and is spread person-to-person.

Balanoposthitus

Inflammation of the penis foreskin causing pain and swelling; bacterial in children and fungal in uncircumcised adults.

UTI

Infection of the bladder or urethra, commonly caused by E. coll, resulting in fever and burning or painful urination.

Bacterial Vaginosis

A condition associated with douching or sex resulting in a fishy odor and a $pH$ of $4.5$.

Candida Vaginosis

An opportunistic fungal infection appearing as curd-like discharge; common in diabetics or with antibiotic use.

Trichomonas Vaginosis

A sexually transmitted motile protozoan that causes a "strawberry cervix" in symptomatic females.

Gonorrhea

An STD caused by Gram-negative diplococci that can cause PID and sterility in women or painful urination in men.

Chlamydia

An STD caused by Gram-negative cocci or rods that presents with discharge and painful urination.

Pelvic inflammatory Disease (PID)

A complication of gonorrhea or chlamydia that increases the risk of sepsis, sterility, and ectopic pregnancy.

Syphilis

Commonly known as "the great imitator," this STD has primary, secondary, tertiary, and congenital stages.

Herpes simplex virus

An incurable STD causing painful vesicles; HSV-1 is oral and HSV-2 is genital, treated with Acyclovir to prevent crossing the placenta.

HPV

A very common STD that causes warts and can lead to cervical, anal, mouth, or throat cancer.

HIV

A virus spread via blood, secretions, or breast milk that attacks CD4 T cells and macrophages; survival is typically $9-11$ years.

Protease inhibitors

A type of medication used to treat individuals infected with HIV.

Pthirus Pubis

Known as crabs, these are lice that cause itching and are spread through skin-to-skin contact or contaminated items; treated with Permetherin $1\%$,.

Complement inhibition

An evasion mechanism used by Group A strep to prevent the host's complement system from functioning.

Changing surface proteins

A method used by Strep pyrogen to prevent the binding of phagocytes.

Leukocidins

Toxins produced by Staph aureus that kill phagocytes.

Non-immunogenic mimicry

An evasion strategy of Group A Strep where it looks like host cells so the body will not attack it.