Nematodes
check yourself Fill in these summary tables to check your learning. Round worms GI Enterobius (Pin worm) Transmitted by ingestion of eggs, which develop into adults within the gut. Females migrate to rectum/anus to lay eggs on skin. Symptoms are associated with this migration and lead to intense anal pruritis (itchy butt). Re-infection is common […]
Protozoa
check yourself Fill in these summary tables to check your learning. Amoeba About the size of WBCs, but move by pseudopodia. Entamoeba histolytica (amebiasis) Obligate human parasite that are transmitted to humans by ingestion of the cysts shed in asymptomatic carriers’ stool. Cysts form trophozoites in intestine where they can eat RBCs and invade the […]
Introduction to bacteria: Classification and structure; virulence and pathogenicity
Learning goals Introduction to bacteria: Classification and structure Demonstrate the different ways of cataloguing bacteria by shape, staining characteristics, and metabolic strategies Describe the content, structure, and function of key bacterial features: capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, spores, and appendages Compare and contrast the components and structure of gram-negative and gram-positive cell walls Introduction […]
Antifungal drugs
Amphotericin B Ampho B Broad spectrum, little resistance GI and renal toxicity limit dose Binds ergosterol causing cytoplasmic membrane holes Azoles Fluconazole, Miconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole, Isavuconazole Inhibits ergosterol synthesis in cytoplasmic membrane Topical Rx for dermatophytes and skin Candida (clotrimazole, miconazole) Systemic Rx specific to different fungi Voriconazole is best for aspergillus Echinocandins Caspofungin, […]
Fungi
also In this section Superficial Tinea/Dermatophytes Molds that use keratin as nutritional source. Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum are the most common genera. They are transmitted to humans from direct contact with infected skin scales. They infect keratinized layer of cells (skin and nails) and do not invade underlying tissue. Clinical manifestations are due to inflammatory response […]
Overview of microbes
High-yield summary Core objectives Compare bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites by structure, reproduction, classification, and diagnostics. Define pathogenesis and virulence. Understand selective toxicity and its role in antimicrobial therapy. Viruses Acellular, require host for replication. Genetic material: DNA or RNA (never both). Capsid proteins, some have envelopes. Intracellular pathogens diagnostic and treatment challenges. Example: […]
Microbiology and Infectious Disease thread session guides
Year 1
Anti-microbials
Antiviral agents
Acyclovir (Zovirax) Class(es) Antiviral. Clinical use(s) FDA approved: Herpes zoster (shingles), herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections (including genital herpes), varicella (chickenpox), and recurrent herpes simplex labialis (cold sores). Off-label/clinical use: Chickenpox pneumonia, Bell’s palsy, HSV in immunocompromised patients, and eczema herpeticum. Mechanism(s) of action It stops the replication of herpes viral DNA by competitively inhibiting […]
RNA viruses
dsRNA Rotavirus Segmented dsRNA virus. The segmented RNS allows for genetic reassortment and is utilized in vaccine formation. It is transmitted by fecal-oral route where its double-layered capsid resists digestion by stomach acid. Primary site of infection is duodenum and proximal jejunum where villi are destroyed, leading to decreased absorptive surface. It is one of […]