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136 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

Hypersensitivity

-immune response that injures


-can be categorized into 1 of 4 major groups


-examples = allergy, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency

Allergy

-(allergic reaction) = sensitivity to an allergen


-generally harmless substances


-involve IgE response

Autoimmune disease

-targets body tissues

Immunodeficiency

-disorder from immune system being too weak to prevent infection

Type 1 hypersensitivity


(Immediate IgE-Mediated)

-IgE binds by Fc portion to mast cells or basophils


-functions as captured antigen = allows mast cells and basophils to detect invaders


-some people more likely to develop allergies (inherited) = specific allergen is due to environmental exposure

Binding of IgE

-triggers release of inflammatory mediators (really good against parasitic worms)


-binding to allergens sets off system


- inhaled (pollen, mold, etc)


- ingested (peanuts, milk, etc)


- injected (insect venom, drugs)

Allergic reactions

-occur in sensitized people


- have had prior exposure to specific antigen


-sensitization = contact induces antibody response


B cells under mucous membranes.......

-often switch to IgE production (longer lived than IgG), esp. those prone to allergies


- IgE accumulates then attaches to mast cells and basophils


- stable for weeks b/c antigen binding sites available to interact w/allergens


example of a typical sequence of allergic reactions.....

- pollen grains contact mucous membrane of respiratory tract = IgE production triggered = individual becomes sensitized to pollen

LOOK AT SLIDE 5 WHICH SHOWS PROCESS!!!!!

LOOK AT SLIDE 5!!!!! :D :D :D

Localized allergic reactions

- hives: "wheal and flare" of skin


- seen in (+) skin test for allergens


- antihistamines block


- hay fever: itching, teary eyes, sneezing, runny nose following inhalation of airborne antigen


- antihistamines block


- asthma: respiratory allergy


- inflammatory mediators cause spasms of bronchial tubes, mucus production


- antihistamines NOT effective!!!

Systemic Anaphylaxis

- rare but serious form of IgE-mediated allergy


- antigen enters blood and spread throughout body


- binds to IgE on basophils = release mediators


- extensive blood vessel dilation = fluid loss, drop in BP = heart failure, insufficient blood flow to brain/other vital organs


- bronchial tubes constrict - suffocation


- can usually be controlled by injection of epinephrine

most cases of anaphylactic shock occur from....

- bee stings


- peanuts


- penicillin injections

Treatments to prevent allergic reactions

- immunotherapy (alters immune response)


- desensitization = causes immune system to produce IgG


- IgG binds antigen, prevents IgE binding


- involves injections of dilute antigen over time

Omalizumab

-rhuMab = recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody



- form of IgG molecule; binds Fc portion of IgE = blocks attachment to mast cells and basophils

Chronic asthma is generally treated with....

- steroids!!


- steroids slow down immune response = more susceptible to infection

When we have a hypersensitivity....

- cell-bound IgE molecules react with antigen; cross-link


- mast cell releases histamine & other inflammatory mediators (this is called degranulation)


- this yields rapid reaction (hay fever, asthma, anaphylactic shock)

Type II hypersensitivities (Cytotoxic)

- antibodies react with molecules on cell surface


- this triggers destruction of cells


- there are 2 methods for this

2 methods of triggering destruction of cells

1. activate classical pathway of complement system = lead to lysis via membrane attach complexes (MACs)



2. trigger antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), lead natural killer (NK) cells to bind to Fc regions of antibodies and deliver chemicals to destroy cell

Examples of Type II cytotoxic hypersensitivities

- transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of newborn


- some autoimmune diseases


Transfusion Reactions

- erythrocytes have antigenic determinants on surface


- major group is ABO = A, B, AB, O blood types


- individuals have antibodies to the antigens they lack (mostly class IgM; appear w/in 6 months of birth)


- bind to transfused cells = agglutination

Agglutination

- cells rapidly destroyed by MACs or NK cells; debris can block vessels, initiate clotting


- this can lead to kidney damage, fever, respiratory & digestive problems (may be life threatening)

Hemolytic disease of the newborn

- Rh (rhesus) antigen on red blood cells


- Rh (+) have antigen; Rh (-) do not


- if Rh (-) recipient is given Rh (+) blood, antibodies will develop; future transfused cells are destroyed

Pregnant Rh (-) woman carrying Rh (+) baby.....

- can develop antibodies to Rh antigen


- will not affect 1st baby (IgM cannot cross placenta)


- BUT, if 2nd baby is Rh (+), anti-Rh IgG antibodies can cross placenta = damage fetal blood cells


- maternal enzymes usually protect fetus from toxic products of RBC destruction until AFTER birth


What is used to prevent hemolytic disease???

- RhoGAM


- contains anti-Rh antibodies, bind to any Rh (+) erythrocytes that may have entered circulation = prevents stimulation of primary immune response

Type III Hypersensitivites (Immune Complex - Mediated)

- formation of immune complexes


- IgG or IgM antibodies bound to soluble antigen


- usually removed by phagocytes binding to Fc regions


- may occur during variety of bacterial, viral, protozoan infections; also from inhaled dust, bacteria, injected medications (penicillin)

Phagocytes binding to Fc regions......

- if antigen in slight excess, smaller complexes form & remain in circulation or at sites of formation in tissue


- can trigger blood-clotting cascade & activate complement system = recruits phagocytes


- phagocytes release pro-inflammatory cytokines, may also release enzymes, toxic molecules

Results of Type III

- produces rashes, joint pains, other symptoms of farmers lung, lupus, bacterial endocarditis, early rubella infection, malaria, glomerulonephritis


Disseminated intravascular coagulation

- devastating condition in which clots form in small blood vessels = leads to failure of vital organs

Arthus reaction

- localized immune complex reaction


- occurs following injection of antigen into previously immunized individual w/circulating antibody


- example = tetanus-diptheria booster given too often


Serum sickness

- systemic immune complex reaction


- caused by passive immunization


- antibodies provided for protection


- example = serum from horse

Type IV Hypersensitivity (Delayed-type cell - mediated)

- due to antigen specific t-cell responses


- can occur almost anywhere in body


- peak 2-3 days after antigen exposure


- Example = tuberculin skin test

Tuberculin Skin Test

- detects latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections


- small quantity of mycobacterial proteins injected = site reddens, thickens (no "wheals")


- effector helper t-cells recognize antigens, release pro-inflammatory cytokines



Delayed-type hypersensitivity in infectious diseases

- cell-mediated immunity plays central role in combating intracellular microbial infections


- effector cytotoxic t-cells destroy infected host cells


- prevents spread of infection, but also damages tissue; chronic infections yield extensive damage


- example: damaged sensory nerves of leprosy

Contact Hypersensitivities (contact dermatitis)

- caused by effector t-cells responding to small molecules that penetrate intact skin


- results in irritating rash, sometimes blisters


common causes of Type IV

- nickel jewelry


- leather


- cosmetics


- latex


- poison ivy


- poison oak

Rejection of Transplanted Tissues

- special case of delayed-type cell-mediated hypersensitivity


- most human transplants are allografts


- effector cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells reject

Definition of Allograft

- tissues of donor and recipient are not genetically identical


- antigenic differences, especially MHC molecules (lead to rejection of graft)


- autografts and isografts avoid these problems


- xenografts evoke vigorous response

MHC =

Major Histo Compatibility

Autografts =

graft from elsewhere in the body

Isografts =

graft from identical sibling

Xenografts =

from animals

Rejection of transplant

- minimized by matching donor & recipient


- indefinite use of immunosuppressive drugs


- these drugs increase susceptibility to infections & cancer

Autoimmune Disease

- development of lymphocytes that respond to self (autoantigens) are normally eliminated


- when failure to remove occurs = autoimmune disease


- cause not entirely clear

Possible causes of Autoimmune Disease

- deficiency in action or control of regulatory T cells


- genetic components, possibly MHC molecules


- environmental factors including infections


- pathogens ability to evade immune system via mimicry


- injury where self antigens are released from privileged sites

Spectrum of Autoimmune Disease

- can be organ specific or systemic (damage results from antibodies and/or cell-mediated immune response)


- examples: type 1 diabetes, graves disease, SLE, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

- organ specific


- cytotoxic T cells destroy beta cells of pancreas = cells of body no longer properly take up glucose


Grave's Disease

- organ specific


- antibodies attach receptors on thyroid gland for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) = activates, leads to increased hormone production and gland enlargement (may show as goiter)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

- systemic


- antibodies made against molecules found in cell nuclei


- symptoms include: joint pain, swelling in joints, rashes

Myasthenia gravis

- systemic


- antibodies bind to acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions = block impulses

Rheumatoid arthritis

- systemic


- connective tissue targeted (most often joints)


- T cells and antibodies target

Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

- anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant drugs (these typically interfere w/T-cell signaling or kill dividing cells to limit response; approaches not optimal)


- NEED NEW APPROACHES!


Possible new approaches to treatment of autoimmune diseases

- induce tolerance (decrease reactivity or specific antigen)


- oral approach holds promise = let immune system "learn" to tolerate antigen as with other foods


- transplantation of insulin-producing cells of pancreas


- requires immunosuppressive agents


- use of stem cells to produce beta cells holds promise

Immunization

- process of inducing immunity


- greatest impact on human health of any medical procedures


- example of how knowledge is power


- useful applications of immunological reactions in diagnostic tests

Immunity is acquired.....

-naturally = normal events (exposure to infectious agent)


- artificially = inducing via immunization


- passive = antibodies through another person


- active = your immune system fights against infection

Active Immunity

- follows antigen exposure


- natural (infection) or artificial (immunization)


Passive Immunity

- antibodies from another person


- Natural (mothers IgG antibodies cross placenta; breast milk contains secretory IgA)


- no memory in natural = protection is lost once antibodies degrade


- Artificial = injection of antiserum (contains antibodies)

Artificial Passive Immunity

- can prevent disease before or after likely exposure


- limit duration of certain diseases


- block action of microbial toxins


- antitoxins = antiserum that protects against a toxin


- hyperimmune globulin (antibodies to specific disease)


- immune globulin (IgG fraction from many donors; variety)

Vaccine

- preparation of pathogen or its products


- used to induce active immunity


- protect individual; prevent spread in population


- responsible for dramatic declines in childhood diseases


- can reappear and spread as results of failure to vaccinate children


- effective vaccines should be safe & have few side effects


- give long lasting protection


- ideally low in cost, stable, easy to administer

Herd Immunity

- develops when critical portion of population is immune to disease; infectious agent unable to spread due to insufficient susceptible hosts



The two general categories of vaccines are....

- attenuated (live virus/bacteria)



- inactivated (non-infectious microbe)

Attenuated Vaccines (definition)

- elicit stronger immune response, but can sometimes cause disease

Inactivated Vaccine

- elicits weaker immune response, but cannot cause infections

Attenuated Vaccines

- weakened form of pathogen


- weakens in recipient (disease is undetectable or mild)


- growth under conditions resulting in mutations or genetically manipulated to replace genes


Advantages of Attenuated Vaccines

- single dose usually induces long-lasting immunity due to microbe multiplying in body


- can also inadvertently immunize others by spreading

Disadvantages of Attenuated Vaccines

- can sometimes cause disease in immunosuppressed individuals


- can occasionally revert or mutate (become pathogenic)


- generally not recommended for pregnant women


- usually require refrigeration to keep active


Examples of Attenuated Vaccines

- measles


- mumps


- rubella


- chicken pox


- yellow fever


- sabin vaccine against polio

Inactivated Vaccines

- unable to replicate


- advantage = cannot cause infections or revert to pathogenic forms


- disadvantage = no replication, so no amplification in vivo; immune response is limited (several booster doses usually needed) (often contain adjuvant to enhance immune response)

Multiple different types of inactivated vaccines

- toxoids


- subunit vaccines


- recombinant vaccines


- VLP vaccines


- polysaccharide vaccines


- conjugate vaccines


Toxoids

- toxins treated to destroy toxic part, retain antigenic epitopes


- includes: diphtheria and tetanus

Subunit Vaccines

- consist of key protein antigens or antigenic fragments from pathogen


- avoids cell parts that may cause side effects


- examples: acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine

Recombinant Vaccines

- subunit vaccines produced by genetically engineered microorganisms


- example: hepatitis B virus; yeast cells produce part of viral protein coat

VLP (virus-like particle) Vaccines

- empty capsids produced by genetically engineered organisms


- example: human papillomavirus (HPV)

Polysaccharide Vaccines

- made from capsules


- not effective in young children; polysaccharides are T-independent antigens, which elicit poor response


- example: pneumococcus vaccines for adults

Conjugate Vaccines

- polysaccharides linked to proteins


- converts polysaccharides into T-dependent antigens


- example: Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) has nearly eliminated Hib meningitis in children; streptococcus pneumonia vaccine promises to do the same

Campaign to eliminate Poliomyelitis (Polio)

- 3 types of poliovirus (enter through mouth)


- virus infects throat and intestinal tract (invades blood)


- from blood, can then invade nerve cells & cause disease


- Salk vaccine (mid 1950's) contains inactivated viruses of all three types = dramatically lowered rate of disease but required series of injections for max. protection


- Sabin attenuated vaccine available in 1961

Sabin attenuated vaccine

- cheaper oral vaccination, although still 3 doses


- induced better mucosal immunity (secretory IgA response), so better herd immunity


- attenuated viruses can mutate; approx. 1 out of 2.4 million doses results in poliomyelitis


- can cause cases of the disease (rare), but gives much better protection against transmission of wild-type


- Salk vaccine allows wild-type virus to replicate in intestines


- disease can be transmitted to others, spread rapidly

Sabin vaccine (continued)

- campaign highly successful


- wild-type eliminated from United States by 1980 ("no spreading cases") (Salk vaccine doses followed by Sabin vaccine


- eliminated from western hemisphere by 1991


- original goal of global eradication by 2000 was not achieved, but efforts continue

Importance of Childhood Vaccinations

- prior to vaccinations, numerous deaths & disabilities


- many still become ill or die from preventable diseases


- some parents refuse to vaccinate children (fear harm)


- vaccine victims of their own success, have lulled people into false sense of security (risk of vaccine seems greater than risk of disease)

Importance of Childhood Vaccinations (cont.)

- benefits greatly outweigh very slight risk


- child w/measles has 1:2000 chance of serious brain inflammation vx. 1:1,000,000 chance from vaccine


- between 1989-1991, immunization rates dropped 10%; outbreak of 55,000 cases resulted in 120 deaths


- routine pertussis immunization yielded significant decrease in incidence (saved many lives)

Routine Pertussis Immunization

- because of some adverse reactions to killed whole cell vaccine, many parents refused to vaccinate


- by 1990, highest incidence of pertussis in 20 years, deaths of some children


- safer acellular subunit vaccine is now used


- NO EVIDENCE OF LINK BETWEEN VACCINES & AUTISM

Current progress in immunization

- recent advances yielding safer, more effective vaccines


- example: conjugate vaccines that enlist T-cell help


- new adjuvants being developed


- administering of cytokines w/vaccine


- novel types being actively studied:


- peptide vaccines


- edible vaccines


- DNA-based vaccines

Peptide vaccines

- key antigenic peptides from pathogens

Edible vaccines

- transfer genes for key antigens into plants; could eliminate global difficulties of transport, storage

DNA-based vaccines

- inject into muscle tissue, which expresses for a short time

Immunoassays

- use antibody-antigen specificity


- can test individual for unknown but suspected pathogen


- binding of known antibodies identifies unknown pathogen


- can test patient for infection of known pathogen


- binding of patient's antibodies to known pathogen demonstrates current or previous infection


- example: tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test) for tuberculosis

Seronegative

- individual not yet exposed to antigen


- has no specific antibodies to that pathogen


Seropositive

- individual has been exposed


- has produced specific antibodies to pathogen

Seroconversion

- process of producing antibodies, takes about 7-10 days; rise in titer is characteristic of infection


- small, steady antibody level indicates previous exposure

Serology

- study of in vitro antibody-antigen interactions



- serum is fluid portion of blood after blood clots


- plasma is fluid portion of blood treated to prevent clotting


- other specimens (cerebrospinal fluid, tissues) also tested

Epidemiology - Rates of disease in population

- epidemiologists less concerned with absolute number of cases than rate (consider small vs. large city)

Attack rate

- percentage of people who become ill in population after exposure


- reflects infectious dose, immune status of population

Incidence rate

- number of new cases/time/population


- measure of risk of an individual contracting a disease

Prevalence

- total number of cases at any time or for a specific period in a given population


- reflects overall impact of disease on society; includes old and new cases, as well as duration of disease


- both expressed as cases per 100,000 people

Morbidity

- INCIDENCE of disease in population at risk


- contagious diseases (ex. influenza) often have high morbidity rate (infected individual may transmit to several)


Mortality

- overall DEATH RATE in population


- in developed countries, most often associated with non-communicable diseases (ex. cancer, heart attack)


- major cause of death in developing countries

Case fatality rate

- PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION that dies from a specific disease


- plague, ebola feared b/c of very high rate


- rate for AIDS has decreased from improved treatment; prevalence has increased as more with disease survive

Endemic diseases

- CONSTANTLY present in population


- example: common cold, measles in US


Epidemis

- UNUSUALLY LARGE NUMBER of cases


- can be from introduced or endemic diseases

Outbreak

- is group of cases at specific time and population

Pandemic

- global


- example: AIDS

Reservoirs of Infection

- natural habitat in which pathogen lives


- in or on animal, human or in environment (soil, water)


- identification important in disease control (control of rats, mice, prairie dogs prevents plague in US)

Human Reservoirs

- may be exclusive or exist in other animals, environment


- often easier to control (example: smallpox)


- symptomatic (obvious source of pathogens)


- asymptomatic (harder to ID = may not realize = can spread to others)

Example of Asymptomatic human reservoir

- up to 50% of women infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae are asymptomatic = easily transmit


- many people carry staphylococcus aureus

Non-Human Animal Reservoirs

- common (gastrointestinal pathogens, rabies virus)


- zoonoses (zoonotic diseases) primarily exist in animals but can be transmitted to humans (example: plague, rabies)


Environmental Reservoirs

- difficult or impossible to eliminate


- example: clostridium

Portals of Exit and Portals of Entry

- body surface or orifice: entry, exit route for pathogen


- intestinal tract: shed in feces (vibrio cholerae)


- respiratory tract: exit in droplets of saliva, mucus (mycobacterium tuberculosis, respiratory viruses)


- skin: shed on skin cells (staphylococcus aureus)


- genital pathogens: semen, vaginal secretions (neisseria gonorrhoeae)


- to cause disease, must be transmitted but also colonize surface or enter host

Disease Transmission

- vertical transmission:


- horizontal transmission:


- direct contact


- indirect contact


- droplet transmission


- food and water


- air


- vectors

Vertical transmission

- pregnant woman to fetus or mother to infant during childbirth/breast feeding

Horizontal transmission

- person to person via air, physical contact, ingestion of food or water, or vector

Direct Contact

- handshake, sexual intercourse


- infectious dose important (for Shigella, 10-100 cells, can happen from handshake)


- from hands, can be ingested (fecal-oral transmission)


- hand washing considered single most important measure for preventing spread of infectious disease


- some pathogen cannot survive in environment, require intimate sexual contact (treponema pallidum, neisseria gonorrhoeae)

Indirect Contact

- inanimate objects, or fomites


- clothing, table-tops, doorknobs, drinking glasses

Droplet Transmission

- respiratory droplets generally fall to ground within a meter from release


- densely populated buildings (schools, military barracks)


- spread minimized by covering mouth when sneezing

Food and Water

- can become contaminated


- animal products (meat, eggs) from animal's intestines


- cross-contamination: transfer from one food to another


- municipal water systems can distribute to large numbers (1993-Cryptosporidium parvum outbreak in Milwaukee)

Air

- respiratory diseases commonly transmitted


- particles larger than 10um usually trapped by mucus


- smaller particles can enter lungs, carry pathogens


- talking, laughing, singing, sneezing, coughing generate (droplet nuclei (microbes attached to dried material) remain suspended)


- # of bacteria in air proportionate to number of people


- difficult to control


- ventilation systems, negative pressure, HEPA filters to help

Vectors

- living organisms that can carry pathogen


- most commonly arthropods: mosquitoes, flies, fleas, lice, ticks; can carry internally or externally


- can be mechanical or biological


- vector control important in preventing disease

Pathogen factors that influence the epidemiology of disease

- the dose: minimum # of pathogens required


- doses below min. necessary may produce asymptomatic infection; immune system eliminates organism before symptoms appear


- very lg. doses (laboratory accident) may produce serious disease even in normally immune individual


- the incubation period: influences extent of spread


- long incubation period can allow extensive spread (1963-typhoid fever in ski resort in Switzerland) ( 10,000 individuals drank water containing Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi; 10-14 day incubation allowed spread to at least 6 different countries)

Host factors that influence disease epidemiology

- immunity to pathogen


- general health


- age

Immunity to pathogen

- previous exposure, immunization


- herd immunity protects non-immune individuals in population; >90% immunity typically sufficient


- antigenic variation can overcome (example = avian influenza)

General Health

- malnutrition, overcrowding, fatigue


- developing world more susceptible b/c of crowding, poor food, sanitation

Age

- very young, elderly generally more susceptible


- immune system less developed in young; wanes in old


- elderly also less likely to update immunizations

National Disease Surveillance Network

- public health departments in each state


- have authority to mad ate diseases that must be reported


- Washington State health authorities responded rapidly to Escherichia coli O157:H7; epidemic had started in other states


- fungus Cryptococcus gattii first appeared in WA in 2007, causes lung infections, meningitis; OR, CA now monitor these as well


- other components of the Public Health Network


- public schools report absentee rates


- hospital laboratories report on isolation of pathogens with epidemiological significance


- news media alert public to presence of infectious diseases

Worldwie Disease Surveillance

- World Health Organization (WHO) has 4 main functions:


- provide worldwide guidance in field of health


- set global standards for health


- cooperatively strengthen national health programs


- develop & transfer appropriate health technology


- WHO provides education, technical assistance


- disseminates information via periodicals, books (weekly epidemiological record)

Reduction & Eradication of Disease

- many diseases reduced through improved sanitation, reservoir & vector control, vaccination and antibiotic treatment; smallpox has been eradicated globally


- in US, many formerly common diseases are now rare


- work underway to eradicate measles, polio, dracunculiasis

Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs)

- acquired while receiving treatment in healthcare setting


- one of top 10 causes of death in US


- hospital acquired nosocomial infections problematic throughout history; hospitals are densely populated with unusually susceptible people, where resistant and virulent pathogens may exist


- est. 5-10% of patients admitted in US acquire (perhaps 2/3 are from patients' own normal microbiota)

Reservoirs of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings

- other patients


- healthcare environment


- healthcare workers


- patient microbiota

Other Patients

- pathogens discharged via skin cells, respiratory droplets, other bodily secretions and excretions

Healthcare Environment

- some gram (-) rods can thrive in sinks, respirators, toilets


- pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to many disinfectants, antimicrobials; requires few nutrients


- many nosocomial infections traced to contaminated soaps, disinfectants, other aqueous solutions

Healthcare Workers

- sick workers, carriers of pathogens


- example: styaphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pyogenes

Patient Microbiota

- invasive procedures can transmit normal microbiota to sterile body sites; compromised immune system may allow infection to develop

Transmission of Infectious Agents in healthcare setting

- fomite transmission


- direct transmission


- airborne transmission

Fomite Transmission

- medical devices


- often breach first line barriers of defense (catheters, IV, mechanical respirators, inadequately sterilized invasive instruments)


Direct Transmission

- healthcare personnel


- must be extremely vigilant with hand washing, disinfecting, wearing gloves

Airborne Transmission

- air pressure


- careful mopping


- HEPA filters

Prevention of Healthcare Associated infections

- important to detect, establish appropriate policies to stop


- hospitals have infection control committee; implement policies based on standard precautions and the transmission based precautions


- CDC has established healthcare infection control practices advisory committee (HICPAC)

Policies on standard precautions & transmission based precautions

Guidelines on:


- hand hygiene


- personal protective equipment


- respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette


- patient placement


- patient-care equipment & instruments/devices


- care of environment, textiles, & laundry


- safe injection practices


- infection control practices for special lumbar puncture procedures


- worker safety