vm part 1 midterm

Introduction to VM 475

  • 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

  • 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.

Immunology

  • 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.