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Principles of Disease and Epidemiology - Microbiology

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  • What is pathology?

    Pathology is the study of disease.

  • Define etiology.

    Etiology is the study of the cause of a disease.

  • What is infection?

    Infection is the colonization of the body by pathogens.

  • Define disease.

    Disease is an abnormal state in which the body is not functioning normally.

  • What is the difference between normal microbiota and transient microbiota?

    Normal microbiota permanently colonize the host, while transient microbiota may be present for days, weeks, or months.

  • Describe the three types of symbiosis.

    Commensalism: one benefits, other unaffected.
    Mutualism: both benefit.
    Parasitism: one benefits at the expense of the other.

  • What is microbial antagonism?

    Microbial antagonism is competition between microbes, where normal microbiota protect the host by occupying niches, producing acids, and bacteriocins.

  • Define communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

    Communicable disease spreads from one host to another.
    Noncommunicable disease is not transmitted between hosts.

  • What is herd immunity?

    Herd immunity is immunity in most of a population, reducing disease spread.

  • List the stages of disease progression in order.

    Incubation period, prodromal period, period of illness, period of decline, period of convalescence.

  • What are reservoirs of infection? Give examples.

    Reservoirs are continual sources of infection: human (AIDS), animal (rabies), and nonliving (soil with tetanus).

  • Explain mechanical vs biological transmission of disease by vectors.

    Mechanical transmission: pathogen carried on vector's feet.
    Biological transmission: pathogen reproduces in vector.

  • What are healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

    HAIs are infections acquired during hospital stays, affecting 5–15% of patients.

  • Name four predisposing factors for disease.

    Short urethra in females, inherited traits, climate, fatigue, age, lifestyle, chemotherapy.

  • Define morbidity and mortality.

    Morbidity is the incidence of disease.
    Mortality is the number of deaths from disease.

  • What is the difference between acute, chronic, subacute, and latent diseases?

    Acute: rapid symptoms.
    Chronic: slow development.
    Subacute: between acute and chronic.
    Latent: no symptoms during inactive phase.

  • Define endemic, epidemic, pandemic, and sporadic diseases.

    Endemic: constantly present.
    Epidemic: many cases in short time.
    Pandemic: worldwide epidemic.
    Sporadic: occasional cases.

  • What is septicemia?

    Septicemia is the growth of bacteria in the blood.

  • What is the role of the CDC in epidemiology?

    The CDC collects and analyzes data, conducts epidemiologic investigations, and helps control disease spread.

  • What are the five links in the chain of infection?

    Infectious agent, reservoir, mode of transmission, route of entry/exit, susceptible host.