22 Key Pathogens: Diseases, Symptoms, and Prevention
Salmonella enteritidis
- Genus/Species: Salmonella enteritidis
- Disease: Salmonellosis (food poisoning)
- Symptoms: Fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea
- Virulence Factors: Invades intestinal cells, produces enterotoxins
- Mechanism: Enterotoxins disrupt ion transport, causing diarrhea
- Treatment: Rehydration; Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin in severe cases
- Prevention: Cook poultry thoroughly, practice good hand hygiene
- Break Chain: Destroy animal reservoirs, inspect food products
Geobacillus stearothermophilus
- Genus/Species:
Anthrax, Bacillus Cereus, and Listeria: Characteristics, Pathogenesis, and Prevention
Bacillus anthracis:
Bacillus anthracis can enter through the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and the airway (less frequent but more lethal).
- Gram-positive bacilli
- Facultative anaerobe
- Forms spores that can survive for years
- Undemanding growth
- Presents a polypeptide capsule (poly-D-glutamic acid)
- Coded by 3 genes: capB, capC (Plasmid 1)
- Plasmid 2 (B. anthracis virulence)
Encodes 3 Exotoxins:
- Protective antigen (binds to the host cell)
- Edema factor
- Lethal factor
Edema Toxin:
Edema factor + protective antigen = responsible
Read MoreAnthrax, Tetanus, Staphylococcus, and Cholera: Identification, Transmission, and Prevention
Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
Identification: The first infectious disease, Anthrax, is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive, aerobic bacterium that forms endospores and is encapsulated. It can be found in ordinary cultivars.
Transmission: Transmission of Anthrax typically occurs through contact with animals, inhalation, or ingestion of contaminated, uncooked meat.
Manifestations: Initially, cutaneous anthrax presents as a superficial, itchy lesion at the site of entry. This lesion becomes
Read MoreUnderstanding Diseases: Types, Causes, and Transmission
Diseases: An Overview
A disease is a disturbance of health, caused by physical or mental impairment, characterized by symptoms observed by the patient and doctor.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases originate from the colonization of the body by pathogenic agents or vermin infestation.
Routes of Transmission
Infection spreads from sick to healthy individuals through direct or indirect transmission. Common routes include:
- Air: Talking, coughing, or sneezing (e.g., tuberculosis).
- Water: Contaminated
Deep Vein Thrombosis: Invasive Treatment & Natriuretic Peptide Tests
Indications for Invasive Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Phlegmasia
- Symptoms of IVC thrombosis
- Acute iliofemoral DVT
- Insert IV line into a vein
- Anesthesia is injected
- A small incision is made
- Guided X-ray, insert catheter via skin
- Contrast media injected
- X-ray is taken to find clot location
- Clot-dissolving drugs are given
- Catheter removed, pressure to stop bleeding
- Dressing is put on
- Daily examination of calves
- Anticoagulants
- Stay hydrated
- Bed rest
- Foot elevation
B-type Natriuretic Peptide
Bacterial Culture, Diseases, and Biotechnology Uses
Bacterial Culture Media, Mutation, and Strain
Bacteria can grow in artificial culture media, which serve to isolate and identify them. There are two types of culture media:
- Solid: Contains water, sodium chloride, proteins, and a solidifying substance called agar. The advantage of solid media is that it allows us to distinguish different bacterial colonies.
- Liquid: Contains water, sodium chloride, and proteins. In liquid media, bacteria grow uniformly.
Mutation and Strain: A mutation is an alteration
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