antiseptic
A substance that is used to stop, inhibit, or arrest the growth of microorganisms but does not necessarily kill the microorganism
autoclaving
Sterilization of instruments or materials using steam with high pressure and temperature
culture
the growing of microorganisms in a nutrient medium (such as gelatin or agar)
disinfectants
Chemical products that destroy all bacteria fungi and viruses (but not spores) on surfaces
endemic
A disease that is particular to a locality or region.
epidemic
A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease.
fimbriae
An appendage on a bacterial cell used for attachment
infection
the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and their multiplication which can lead to tissue damage and disease
leukocytosis
An increase in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells); usually the result of a microbiological attack on the body.
leukopenia
Abnormally low white blood cell count
lymphadenopathy
Abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes
monocytosis
Increased monocytes from chronic infection, autoimmune disorder, blood disorder, or cancer.
mutation
A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA, ultimately creating genetic diversity. Mutations also can occur in the DNA or RNA of a virus.
neutropenia
A reduction in circulating neutrophils
nosocomial
An infection that occurred when the client is in a health care facility (hospital or long-term care facility)
pathogen
A disease causing agent
pili
(Also called Fimbriae) - Found externally but extend through the cell wall to attach to the cell membrane. Serves as a mechanism of attachment of the cell to a surface. Serves to mediate a form of sexual reproduction utilized by bacteria.
prions
slow-acting, virtually indestructible infectious PROTEINS that cause brain diseases
septicemia
Growth of bacteria in the blood
sepsis
A toxic condition resulting from the spread of bacteria or their toxic products from a focus of infection.
sterilization
Complete elimination or destruction of all microorganisms including spores
toxins
Any of various poisonous substances produced by some microorganisms
exotoxin
toxin excreted by bacteria
endotoxin
toxin released from the walls of certain gram-negative bacterial following lysis
neurotoxin
bacterial toxin that affects the nervous system function
enterotoxin
bacterial toxin that affects the mucous membrane of the intestine and causes the vomiting and diarrhea
spore
a latent form of bacteria that is highly resistant to heat and other adverse conditions; difficult to kill
obligate intracellular parasite
An organism or virus that multiplies only inside living cells.
resident flora
microorganisms that normally reside on the skin, mucous membranes, and inside the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts
chain of infection
A process that begins when an agent leaves its resevoir or host through a portal of exit, and is conveyed by some mode of transmission, then enters through an appropriate portal of entry to infect a susceptible host.
resevoir
source of infection; site where pathogens can survive or multiply
portal of exit
, Method in which a harmful organism leaves the reservoir. The three most common portals of exit are the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract.
portal of entry
An opening allowing the microorganism to enter the host; the route a pathogen takes to enter a host. The most common portal of entry is the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
mode of transmission
Method of transfer by which the organism moves or is carried from one place to another; the transfer of disease-causing microrganisms from one environment to another. There are three general categories of transmission: contact, vehicle, and vector.
susceptible host
A person who is unable to resist infection by the pathogen
infectious agent
an agent capable of producing infection
direct contact
A method of spreading pathogens that occurs when an uninfected person gets infected by touching or being near someone who is infected
indirect contact
A route of spreading pathogens by touching contaminated objects
droplet transmission
Method of spreading disease from respiratory secretion through the air. Spread is usually confined to within 3 feet of the infected patient.
vector borne
Occurs when an animal, especially an insect, transfers an infectious agent from one host to another
subclinical
Symptoms either do not appear or are mild enough to go unnoticed. Infection does not always lead to disease
virulence
the degree of pathogenicity or disease that a microbe is capable of causing
pathogenicity
A microorganism's ability to cause disease.
local infection
Infection caused by microbes lodging and multiplying at one point in a tissue and remaining there.
focal infections
begin in a restricted area and then spreads throughout the body
systemic infection
an infection in which the pathogen is distributed throughout the body rather than concentrated in one area
primary infection
acute infection that causes initial illness
secondary infection
caused by an opportunistic pathogen after the primary infection has weakened the bod's defense