“There is no such thing as a perfect pathogen.” Discuss
A pathogen can be defined as a microorganism or a biological agent that causes disease. Pathogen’s sole aim is to replicate and produce progeny to pass its genes on to; therefore the notion of a perfect pathogen would be an organism that has the capacity to carry out this task. The major classes of infectious agents are bacteria, virus, protozoa, fungi and even prions (Albert B, 2002) . In order to be considered perfect a pathogen would have to possess many characteristic such as being highly contagious, rapidly shed, evoking limited immunity, constantly evolving and only moderately virulent, allowing most of the infect to recover, which means a larger pool of susceptible host (J.Hall, 2012). The host immune system protects us from most infection. However pathogens must overcome this in order to survive, and they have developed many adaptations to achieve this.
The first ordeal that a pathogen must overcome biochemical and physical barriers that operates at the body surface such as the skin in order to gain entry. The skin is normally impermeable to majority of the pathogen and the mucosal layer also provides a barrier (Richard V Goering, 2008). Virus and bacteria can break through the first line defence in many ways such as through openings of the ears, mouth or nose. Wounds, abrasion are also sites of entry as they are an opening in the barrier many virulent pathogens utilise this including streptococci, Leptospira
Pathogens are everywhere. They are in people, animals, and the environment. Pathogens come in a wide variety. The types are fungal, bacterial, viral, and other parasites. All pathogens can be dangerous, but two of them are more dangerous. These two types that more dangerous are fungal and bacterial. While both fungal and bacterial pathogens cause illness, they differ in the way they are transmitted, the way they are treated, and the diseases they cause.
2. Breaks in the skin. One of the many functions of the skin is to act as a barrier against infection. Anything that penetrates the skin, or for that matter the mucous membrane that lines the mouth or nose, provides a route for infection to enter. Typically, bites, scratches, puncture wounds by needles etc increase the risk of infection.
In this assignment I am going to explain how infections are caused by, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. I will then explain how pathogenic microorganisms grow and spread.
It 's bad or infectious bacteria that cause illness as they rapidly reproduce and produce a toxin that kills or mutates cells, bacteria is also self sufficient.
Bacteria - are micro-organisms that consist of only one cell. Bacteria multiply by splitting themselves in two, which is called a binary fission. Because of this they can increase in number rapidly. The majority are harmless, but some can be pathogenic which results in bacterial infection occuring. Bacterial infections can be treated by using antibiotics. Bacteria can evolve a resistance to antibiotic e.g. MRSA. Some diseases caused by bacteria include tuberculosis, pneumonia, salmonella, tetanus and syphilis.
disease or ill health, by intercepting this pathogen the lymphoid localises it and isolates it from
Microorganisms must either attach to, or penetrate one of bodies surfaces. The site through which a microorganism enters the body is called the route of entry. The skin acts as a protective barrier, in order to cause infection the microorganism must break through the protective barrier. they either do this through a natural opening such as the mouth ,nose, ears, eyes, urethra, rectum or vagina, or enter through a unnatural break in the skins surface such as cuts and grazes, bites or scratches. They can also occur through a surgical wound caused by a operation. Also conditions such as psoriasis or eczema cause breaks in the skin which microorganisms can enter.
3. Inoculation: Some germs are able to infect us because they enter through broken skin, such as
Based on research and observation, we now know that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms (pathogens) and that the immune system provides defense against infectious diseases.
Distinctions in the micro-organisms structure can be pivotal to not only the function of the pathogen within the body, but also the means by which it may spread.
3. Portal of exits (a place of exist providing a microorganism to leave the reservoir eg. mouth and nose while sneeze or cough) 4.Mode of transmission (carrying organism from one place to another place eg. The hands of health care workers carry bacteria from one person to another) 5.Portal of entry (an opening allows the microorganism enter the host (eg. iv cannula, catheter, breaks in the skin) 6. A person who cannot resists a microorganism invading the body and
Explain two ways you help in preventing the spread of pathogens on a daily basis. (4 Points)
One of the most complex and unexplored disease causing agents are viruses. They are known to be able to infect a wide array of organisms, from plants and animals, to bacteria and fungi. Essentially, anything that is living is capable of being infected with a virus. Once the host's cell is infected, the viruses' goal is to produce more viruses which will infect neighboring cells to continue the cycle.
A list of the routes by whitch infection can enter the body:respiratory route,digestive route,contact with body fluids,contact with anyone with broken skin,wound,pressure sore,bleeding