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213 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Acid Fast
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property of certain bacteria which renders the stained organism resistant to depolarization by subsequent treatment with acid. Mycobacteria are often acid-fast because of the waxes and lipids in their cell walls.
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Activated Macrophage
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macrophages that have been stimulated by cytokines to become more metabolically and phagocytically active and to have enhanced ability to kill a broad range of ingested organisms
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Adhesin
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microbial surface component that binds to receptors on a host cell
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Adjuvant
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a compound, usually complex, that enhances the immunogenicity of an immunogen. Most adjuvants work by creating a depot of the immunogen once injected, slowly releasing the immunogen to induce an immune response over time.
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Aerobe
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an organism that uses oxygen as its terminal electron acceptor
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Aerosol
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suspension of particles in airborne water droplets; smaller particles (< 10 um in diameter) not only remain suspended in the air for longer, but are more likely to reach sites in the respiratory tract where they can initiate an infection
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Agglutination
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clumping of particulate antigens mediated by antibody which has bound to the surface of the particles
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Alveolar Macrophage
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non activated macrophage associated with alveolus. (Syn= dust cell)
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Aids
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a progressive debilitating disease, usually fatal, resulting from dysfunctioning of the human immune system due to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus HIV.
alveolar |
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Aminoglycoside
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a family of antibiotics that binds to the 30S component of ribosomes and prevents assembly of the ribosome and m-RNA; examples: streptomycin, gentamycin, kanamycin
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Alveolus
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terminal air sac in the lung
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Anaerobe
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an organism that uses a substance other than oxygen as its term"inal electron acceptor
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Anamnestic
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literally, an absence of a lack of memory in other words = memory. Used in the context of a secondary immune response in which the latent period is shortened and the resulting maximum titre of antibody is higher than that observed in a primary immune response. IgG antibodies are characteristic of a secondary anamnestic immune response.
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Antibiotic
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microbially derived, low molecular weight chemicals that inhibit or kill other organisms.
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Antibodies
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Immunoglobulins; complex protein molecules synthesized by B cells that are able to bind the antigen which induced their synthesis. Antibodies are of five distinct isotypes, each of which has distinct biological roles to play in the immune response. Antibody molecules are composed of two heavy chains (HC) and two light chains (LC) which are covalently joined by inter chain disulphide bonds. Here are a couple of images of antibody molecules, one structural (on the left) and one schematic (on the right).
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Antiserum
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serum that contains antibodies against a specific antigen.
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Antigen
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a chemical entity (ie protein, carbohydrate) that binds to (reacts with) antibodies.
Antigen |
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Antigen Presenting Cells (APC)
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host cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells, endothelial cells) that present MHC bound antigens on their surfaces
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Artificial Immunity
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immunity to a disease/organism induced by vaccination, i.e. not as a result of exposure to the agent..
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Attenuate
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literally, to reduce in size, force, weight or, for our purposes, viability. The process of attenuation, as applied to, for example, human viruses, is to culture them in animal cells for long periods of time du ring which mutation/selection result in the appearance of virus which has a reduced or no ability to grow in human cells. Such viruses can be used as effective vaccines, provided they retain their original immunogenicity.
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Avidity
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the strength of a non covalent molecular interaction at the whole molecule level. Avidity is determ"ined by individual molecule / molecule interactions as well as by the number of binding sites available on each molecule. For example, pentameric IgM has a higher avidity for antigen than does monomeric IgM, even though both may have the same affinity for its antigen.
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B-Cells
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white blood cells that produce antibodies.
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Bactericidal
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referring to killing of bacteria
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Bacteriostatic
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referring to inhibition (rather than killing) of bacteria
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BCG
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Bacille Calmette Guerin. Strain of Mycobacterium attenuated by cultivation until virulence was lost. It is the basis for a protective vaccine against tuberculosis
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Binary Fission
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the process of non mitotic cell division that occurs in prokaryotes
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Biotype
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subtype of an organism distinguished by a specific biochemical property (e.g. toxin production)
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Blood Brain Barrier
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The cellular barrier between circulating blood and brain tissue. The tight junctions between endothelial cells prevent entry of many substances into the central nervous system
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Botulism
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disease characterized by flaccid paralysis, induced by neurtoxin of Clostridium botulinum.
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C3b
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larger peptide product of action of C3 convertase on C3. C3b serves both as an opsonin and as a focus for continuation of the complement pathway.
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c3 convertase
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C3bBb, a protein complex that converts C3 into C3a and C3b
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C5a peptidase
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protease that destroys the chemo attractant C5
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cAMP
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important molecule that functions as a regulator of many intracellular functions in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes
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Capsid
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a hollow structure of viruses that is composed of subunits of capsid proteins (capsomeres). Within the capsid, the viral genome is found and together the capsid and genome are called the nucleocapsid.
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Capsule
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outer covering of bacteria, often consisting of polymers of sugars and/or sugar acids
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Carrier
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host that harbors pathogen but does not suffer from the disease.
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CD 14 Receptor
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Receptor on mononuclear phagocytes that binds to LPS-LPS-binding complex
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Cellulitis
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inflammation of connective tissues
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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
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the fluid bathing the brain and ménages
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Cestode
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a tapeworm; all cestodes are parasitic; all possess both female and male reproductive systems in a single individual; rarely cause significant disease as adults; larvae of non human cestodes acquired accidently are capable of causing serious disease and death.
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chemotaxis
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movement of a cell in response to a concentration gradient
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Chemotherapy
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treatment of disease (ANY disease, including a microbial infection, cancer etc.) with chemical compound(s)
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Chickenpox
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disease caused by varicella zoster.
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Chlamydia
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obligate intracellular bacteria. Some species cause parrot fever; others cause infections of the female reproductive tract.
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Chloramphenicol
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an antibiotic that interferes with protein synthesis. It interferes with the formation of the peptide bond in the growing protein
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Cholera
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diarrhoeal disease induced by a toxin from Vibrio cholerae.
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Cillia
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hair like surface structures of some eukaryotic cells that beat rhythmically to move mucus over surfaces or to confer motility on some single celled organisms (or protozoa).
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CD
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cluster of differentiation. (The term" cluster refers to the group of monoclonal antibodies used to identify receptors on lymphocytes)
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CD4
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receptor on helper T cells
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Classical pathway of complement activation
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pathway that is activated when antigen-antibody complexes bind to C1
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Clonal expansion
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proliferation of antigen specific lymphocytes cells derived from a single cell
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Colony Stimulating Factor
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a protein that stimulates proliferation of bone marrow stem cells
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Colostrum
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clear, antibody containing fluid secreted by mammary glands after parturition.
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Commensalism
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association between host and microbe which confers neither advantage nor disadvantage to the host.
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Complement
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a system of structural and regulatory proteins found in plasma. These proteins enhance the function and recruitment of phagocytes and cause lysis of certain bacteria, phagocytes, or sensitized cells.
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Alternative Pathway of Complement Activation
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the complement pathway stimulated by interaction between C3b and the microbial surface (see classical complement pathway)
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Conjugation
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formation of a bridge between two microbes and the subsequent transfer of bacteria from one to the other
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Cross Reactivity
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reaction between an antigen and an antibody that was produced in response to a different antigen
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Cuticle
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a thick, non living exterior covering of a nematode. It functions as an exoskeleton, giving shape and form to the worm. It also presents a formidable barrier to the effector cells and molecules of the immune system.
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Cystic Fibrosis
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an autosomal recessively inherited disease caused by defect in chloride secretion. The disease is characterized by the production of thick mucus in the lungs
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Cytokine
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signalling proteins produced in response to stimuli.
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Cytotoxic
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referring to the killing of a cell
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Cytotoxic T-Cells
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are T cells capable of killing other cells. Most cytotoxic T cells carry the CD8 antigen on their surface. They react with host cells bearing foreign antigens appearing on the surface of infected cells
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Dysentery
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a type of diarrhea in which the stool contains blood and pus
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ELISA
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Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. This assay uses antibodies to detect antigens in samples. An enzyme is cross linked to the antibody. Addition of an appropriate substrate leads to formation of a coloured product
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El Tor
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biotype of Vibrio cholerae that produces less toxin than the classical biotype, but colonizes the host for a longer time
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Endemic
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the state of a disease such that the numbers of casesreported annually is constant and not increasing.
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Endospore
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heat resistant spore located within a bacterial cell
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Endotoxin
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lipopolysaccharide.
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Envelope
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presence of a lipid bilayer forming the surface of certain viruses which is derived from plasma membrane or internal membranes of the host cell.
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Epitope
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a region on an antigen which can be bound by antibodies or by the antigen specific T cell receptor
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Epidemic
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the state of a disease such that the numbers of cases reported annually is increasing rapidly in a population within a defined geographical area.
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Erysipelas
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infection of dermis and dermal lymphatic tissues with S. pyogenes
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Erythromycin
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an antibiotic that interferes with several aspects of protein synthesis.
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Exotoxin
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host damaging protein secreted by bacteria.
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Facultative
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having the ability to exist in a particular environment, e.g. intracellularly or anaerobically (See obligate)
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Fascitis
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inflammation of the fascia
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Febrile
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characterized by elevated body temperature or fever
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Fibronectin
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protein found in plasma and on cell surfaces. Fibronectin binds to Gram positive cocci and promotes their engulfment by macrophages.
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Flagellum
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helical rod on the surface of bacteria that rotate and promote motility
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Fluoroquinoline
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an antimicrobial agent that interferes with DNA gyrase
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Formites
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inanimate objects transmitting infectious agents.
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Gangrene
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death of tissues associated with decreased blood supply, bacterial invasion, and tissue breakdown.
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GAS
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Group AStreptococcus pyogenes
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Glycosome
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An organelle found ONLY in parasitic protozoa of the family Trypanosomatidae. The glycosome contains almost all the enzymes involved in the glycolytic biosynthetic pathway - unlike in higher eukaryotes in which these enzymes are found free and soluble in the cytoplasm.
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Gnotobiotic
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animals that are germfree or which have specified normal flora
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haemorrhagic
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any disease condition in which there is systemic hemolysis
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H Antigen
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flagellin
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Helminth
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a worm belonging to the nematodes, cestodes or trematodes
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Hemolysin
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protein that lyses erythrocytes by causing pore formation in the membrane
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Hemolytic
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any molecule that is able to cause red blood cells to lyse (includes hemolysin)
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Hyaluronic Acid
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mucopolysaccharide in extracellular substance; also present in capsule of S. pyogenes
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Hyaluronidase
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enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid
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Iatrogenic Disease
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illness induced by a medical procedure
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Icosahedron
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a three dimensional geometric shape that has 20 faces. Many viruses have the icoshedron as their basic structural unit (it is actually the capsid which is icosahedral).
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Acquired Immunity (Adaptive Immunity)
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immunity that adapts after exposure to antigen; characterized by T cells and macrophages.
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Active Immunity
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a measurable immune response arising from contact of the host immune system with antigen.
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Artificial Immunity
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immunity induced by vaccine or administration of antibodies from another individual.
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Cellular Immunity
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immunity conferred by antigen specific T cells and macrophages.
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Humoral Immunity
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immunity characterized by antibodies.
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Innate Immunity
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immunity conferred by molecules or cells which are present from birth (secretions, complement, phagocytes)
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Natural Immunity
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immunity occurring without medical intervention
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Passive Immunity
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immunity conferred by antibodies (or cells) made by another animal which has undergone an immune response
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Impetigo
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infection of the epidermis by S. Aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes
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Infectious Dose (ID)50
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the dose of a pathogen necessary to infect 50% of a test population (See LD50)
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Inflammation
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response of the body to irritants, including microbes, and characterized by redness, pain, swelling, and heat
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Integrins
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family of cell adhesion receptors.
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Interleukin 1
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cytokine produced by monocytes and macrophages and which promote inflammation, fever, and multiplication of T cells
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Isotype
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five distinct structural and functional classes of antibody resulting from differential splicing of heavy chain constant region genes. The five isotypes are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE.
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Kinetoplast
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An organelle found in parasitic protozoa of the family Trypanosomatidae. Originally thought to be involved in the motility of the cell (hence the name kinetoplast), the organelle is actually part of the single mitochondrion of the trypanosome that contains the mitochondrial DNA genome.
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Kinin
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peptides from plasma proteins that mediate the inflammatory response.
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Kirby Bauer Test
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using a antibiotic impregnated discs with a pure culture of a microbe grown on solid media to determine the antibiotics capable of inhibiting a microorganism
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Koch
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German 19th century physician; discovered organisms causing tuberculosis, anthrax, and other diseases
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Koch's Postulates
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set of postulates needed to prove that a particular organism causes a particular disease
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Kuppfer Cells
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mononuclear phagocytes lining sinusoids of the liver.
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Lactobacilli
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normal residents of the vagina that are able to metabolize glycogen, generating lactic acid which produces an acid pH. This environment is hostile to some pathogenic yeasts.
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Lactoferrin
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an iron binding protein present in secretions and in specific granules of neutrophils.
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Latency
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period of inactivity, in reference to infectious disease may refer to the period from the time of infection to the time symptoms appear or to the period after infection during which the pathogen does not reproduce or replicate.
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Leprosy
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chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae
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Lethal Dose (LD)50
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dose of a pathogen necessary to kill 50% of a test population (see ID 50)
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Leukocidin
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a bacterial exotoxin capable of killing leukocytes
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Lymphocytes
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white blood cells some of which are found in the blood and others in tissues (such as the spleen). Lymphocytes have both effector and regulatory roles in the immune response and include both B cell and, T cells.
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Lysosome
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intracellular organelle that contains lytic enzymes
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Lysozyme
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enzyme that lyses peptidoglycan; present in tears, mucus, egg whites, and lysosomes
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Macrophage
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a large phagocyte derived from a monocyte and which resides in tissues
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Major Histocompatability Complex (MHC)
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a protein complex on the surface of antigen presenting cells. It binds to processed antigens and displays them to T cells
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MHC I
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major histocompatibility complex associated with all cells
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MHC II
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major histocompatibility complex associated with macrophages and B cells
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Mannose
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a hexose absent from mammalian cells but present on many bacteria
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Maturation
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in immune cell development, the process by which cells acquire their characteristic and highly specific surface antigen
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Membrane Attach Complex
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a molecular complex consisting of the terminal complement components C5b through C9 that insert into the cell membrane causing death of the cell
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MBC
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minimal bactericidal concentration minimal concentration of a n agent necessary to kill a standard dose of bacteria (see MIC)
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Meningitis
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inflammation of the ménages
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Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC)
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minimal concentration of an agent necessary to kill a standard dose of bacteria (see MIC)
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MIC
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minimal inhibitory concentration minimal concentration of an agent necessary to inhibit a standard dose of bacteria (see MBC)
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Mucin
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same as mucus. Viscous, sticky mixture of proteins and carbohydrates that cover mucosal surfaces
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Mutualism
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the symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties
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Myoneural Junction
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ending of a nerve at a muscle. Motor end plate.
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Nematode
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roundworms; parasitic worms possessing an external cuticle and developing through 4 larval and 1 adult stages.
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Neutrophil
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most abundant of the granulated phagocytes in the blood
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Nosocomial Disease
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a disease, usually caused by a pathogenic organism, which is acquired in a hospital.
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Nucleocapsid
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refers to the structure consisting of the viral capsid with its contained genome (RNA or DNA).
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O Antigen
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the polysaccharide portion of lipopolysaccaride. Different O antigens can be distinguished by the immune system, and this property is the basis of serotyping.
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Opportunism
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causing of infection in a compromised host by a normally harmless organism
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Opsonization
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enhancement of phagocytosis by attachment of antibody or complement component C3b to the surface of an organism
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Pandemic
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an epidemic present simultaneously in many countries, perhaps globally.
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Parasitism
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a relationship between two organisms, the smaller of which (the parasite) is physiologically dependent on the larger (the host); where the distribution of parasites and disease in the host population is non-random; where the reproductive potential of the parasite is greater than the host and where the parasite has the potential to produce disease in the infected host.
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Primary Pathogen
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an organism capable of inducing disease in a healthy host
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Pathogenicity Island
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a group of linked genes which contribute to bacterial virulence
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Pathogenesis
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the physiological processes involved in the generation of clinical signs of disease; the means by which a pathogen causes illness, ie through the action of endotoxins or exotoxins.
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pathogenic
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having the inherent ability to cause illness
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pathognomic
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signs and symptoms of a disease that are specific and, on their own, provide enough information for definitive diagnosis of the condition.
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Penicillin
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beta lactam antibiotic that prevents the cross linking of peptidoglycan
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Phage Type
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subgroup of a bacterial species distinguished by susceptibility to bacteriophage
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Phagocyte
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a cell adapted to engulf particles
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Phagocytosis
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a process by which certain cells (phagocytes) ingest extracellular material, including bacteria. Phagocytosis is facilitated by bound antibody on the surface of the material (opsonization) and is dependent on active reorganization of the cytoskeleton
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Phagosome
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vacuole resulting from the ingestion of a particle
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Pharyngitis
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inflammation of the throat
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Pili
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proteinaceous rod like structure protruding from the bacterial surface. Pili enable attachment of bacteria to surfaces and transfer of DNA from one organism to another
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Protozoa
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unicellular eukaryotic organisms, some of which are pathogenic
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Repertoire
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the sum total of all the antibodies an organism is capable of making
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Reservoir
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a species, usually mammalian, which is infected with a micro organism but shows no clinical signs; is a source of infection for susceptible hosts.
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Retrovirus
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a positive sense, ssRNA virus (often with two copies of the genome per virion) which is able to synthesize double stranded DNA from its genomic template. This dsDNA is then able to integrate into the host genome. Integration may, in the case of oncogenic viruses, disrupt the normal regulation of cell division and result in the transformation of the infected cell to a neoplastic cell causing cancer. Other retroviruses can remain quiescient in the host genome for many years and upon some event may then up regulate the transcription of the integrated viral genome and initiating the production of progeny virus. An example of the latter type of retrovirus is HIV.
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Reverse Transcriptase
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an enzyme capable of synthesizing DNA (a DNA polymerase) using RNA as the template. The discovery of RT led to a Nobel prize for David Baltimore and Howard Temin since it showed that the previously held central dogma of biology - that the flow of genetic information was uni-directional from DNA to RNA to protein - was not true. RT is able to "reverse" the flow of information from RNA to DNA.
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Rheumatic Fever
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febrile illness occurring several weeks after sore throat caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Joints and heart valves can be damaged.
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Rlfampin
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antibiotic that interferes with prokaryotic RNA polymerase
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RNA Polymerase
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an enzyme that is able to synthesize ribonucleic acid (RNA) from a template. There are various types of RNA polymerases however, the human only possesses RNA polymerases which synthesize RNA from a DNA template. Negatively stranded RNA viruses must carry with them in the virus particle a RNA polymerase that can synthesize +ve stranded RNA from the genome ve strand RNA template. Positively stranded RNA viruses, other than retroviruses, encode in their genome a RNA polymerase that can synthesize ve stranded RNA from a +ve stranded template.
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Salmonella
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genus of Gram negative bacteria associated with food borne disease
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Scarlet Fever
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rash caused by Erythrogenic toxin
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Semmelwels
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Austro Hungarian 19th century physician who deduced that streptococcal sepsis occurring after childbirth was an iatrogenic illness
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Sepsis
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presence of bacteria in the bloodstream
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Septicemia
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a condition where bacteria are found in the blood which is normally sterile. This is a serious condition, depending on the bacteria, since toxins are very quickly distributed throughout the body in the circul ation. A possible outcome of septicemia is shock.
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Sequeia
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consequence
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Seropositive
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a condition in which antibodies against a particular micro organism can be found in an individual, indicating that, at some point, this individual encountered the specific pathogen.
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Serotype
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a population of an infectious organism, usually viruses, all of which possess identical antigens as identified by specific antibodies. Thus, populations of the same virus having different antigens are, in fact, different serotypes. A virus capable of expressing a large number of serotypes poses a very difficult problem for the development of a vaccine
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Serum
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fluid portion of blood remaining after removal of clotting factors
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Shingles
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disease associated with reactivation of Varicella zoster
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Sickle Cell Anemia
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a hereditary abnormality in the hemoglobin S molecule. At low oxygen concentration the hemoglobin undergoes conformational changes, and so does the erythrocyte. The spleen is preoccupied by gathering up damaged erythrocytes, and is unable to clear bacteria from the blood.
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Specific Pathogen Free (SPF)
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Gnotobiotic animals that have been reconstituted with well defined, non pathogenic commensals
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Spermine
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an antibacterial amine present in semen
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Streptococcus
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Gram positive cocci, usually arranged in chains. Species are classified by surface carbohydrates into groups A O. Group A=S. Pyogenes causes several important human diseases.
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Streptococcus Pyogenes
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Gram positive bacteria in chains that cause strep throat and many skin infections
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Streptomycin
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an antibiotic that interferes with protein synthesis. It interferes with the formation of the initiation complex
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Sulfolipid
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sulfur containing lipid present on surface of M. Tuberculosis; may cause failure of phagosome lysosome fusion
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Superoxide
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an efficient oxidant and mutagen produced during phagocytosis
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Superantigen
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toxins that bind to MHC and T cell antigen receptor in a nonspecific fashion, causing the large numbers of cells to release cytokines.
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Suppurative
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causing the formation of pus
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Symbiosis
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state in which two organisms are living in close contact
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Syncytia
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a multinucleate cell with a single limiting plasma membrane resulting from the fusion of several independent cells, often as a result of viral infection. The normal physiological function of the fused cells is lost.
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T-Cells
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thymus derived lymphocytes
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Tetanus
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spastic paralysis induced by neurotoxin from Clostridium tetani
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Tetracycline
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antibiotic that interferes with protein synthesis by binding to A site on 30S ribosomal component
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TNF
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tumor necrosis factor, a cytokine produced by macrophages after stimulation by LPS
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Toxic Shock
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systemic disease caused by a toxin from Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, rash, shock.
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Toxin
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bacterial protein that affects host adversely, and usually, specifically
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Toxoid
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denatured toxin; if toxicity is abolished and immunogenicity retained, the toxin may be useful as a vaccine
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Transduction
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transfer of genetic information from one bacterium to another by a virus. Often the virus integrates into the recipient's chromosome
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Transformation
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transfer of free DNA from one bacterium to another
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Transcription
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the synthesis of RNA in the nucleus from a DNA template by RNA polymerase
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Transposition
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movement of a piece of DNA from one location to another from chromosome to plasmid vice versa, or from one position to another on a chromosome, or from plasmid to plasmid.
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trophozoite
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the feeding stage of protozoan parasites, usually motile.
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tubercule
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walled off lesion produced by the body in response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
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tuberculosis
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a respiratory disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The incidence of this disease is increasing rapidly in inner city environments in North America
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typhoid
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febrile illness caused by Salmonella typhi, transmitted by contaminated food or water
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typhus
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febrile illness caused by Rickettsia prowazekii, an obligate intracellular bacterium, transmitted by human body louse
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vaccine
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a living or non living preparation of immunogens capable of inducing protective artificial immunity via inoculation in vertebrates.
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variolation
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practiced well into the 19th century, variolation was the first attempt at inducing artificial active immunity. The practice consisted of introducing a preparation of variola virus derived from scab material from actively ill patients into a healthy host. The route of introduction was frequently by blowing the scab material into the nose of the healthy person, or by wearing the clothes of a person recently deceased from smallpox. This practice frequently resulted in the death of the recipient (!) but did, in fact, induce protective immunity in a fraction of treated individuals. It was the high frequency of failure of variolation that motivated Edward Jenner to find an alternative.
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vector
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an invertebrate animal which is an essential part of the life cycle of a parasite and is capable of carrying the parasite from one host to another. Insects and molluscs are the most common vectors.
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vibrio
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genus of curved, Gram negative rods
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Vibrio Cholerae
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causative agent of cholera
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virulence
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usually refers to a highly pathogenic micro organism, one which causes severe, acute disease.
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virulence factor
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component of an organism that contributes to its disease producing potential, e.g. toxins and surface components
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zoonosis
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an infection with a micro organism which can pass between animals, wild or domestic, and humans.
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