FAMOUS MICROBES

I. bacteria

STAPHYLOCOCCUS

The group of bacteria known as staphylococcus, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are one of the most common causes of human disease. Most staphylococci colonize the skin and mucous membranes of people without disease. However, given the right conditions, staphylococci can cause superficial and systemic infections. Some of the more common superficial infections caused by S. aureus include boils, impetigo and folliculitis. More serious and common infections caused by this organism are pneumonia, bacteremia, and infections of the bone and wounds. Staphylococcus aureus can also produce toxins that can cause such diverse diseases as food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.

Other species of staphylococci that commonly cause disease in humans is Staphylococcus saprophyticus. This is a common cause of urinary tract infections in sexually active women.

STREPTOCOCCUS

Like staphylococci, there are many species of streptococci found normally in the human body. Certain strains of streptococci cause some of the most serious diseases in humans. Streptococcus pyogenes (strep group A) is the main cause of bacterial pharyngitis (strep throat) in people. Untreated strep throat can lead to serious sequelae like rheumatic fever (heart valves) and glomerulonephritis (kidneys). Other infections include impetigo and the devastating "flesh eating bacteria" otherwise known as necrotizing fasciitis. In necrotizing fasciitis, there is rapid destruction of the soft tissues and muscle. This is a frequently fatal disease and rapid treatment is necessary.

THE GRAM-NEGATIVE BACILLI

There are dozens of different species of gram-negative bacilli, with many species normally found in the intestinal tract. In the intestinal tract they have a beneficial effect on the body by preventing overgrowth of potential pathogens. However, if by surgery or trauma these bacteria get out of the intestine, they can cause serious, life-threatening disease. One of the more common gram-negative bacilli that cause disease in humans is Escherichia coli. According to Bailey and Scott's "Diagnostic Microbiology," E. coli is by far the most common cause of uncomplicated community acquired urinary tract infections and is frequently seen in wound infections. Certain strains of E. coli (such as E. coli O157:H7) can cause serious diarrhea and kidney damage.

Salmonella and Shigella are two gram-negative bacilli well known for being causes of food poisoning and dysentery, respectively.

The gram-negative bacilli have been implicated in infections as diverse as pneumonia to ear infections.

NEISSERIA

The majority of Neisseria species are found normally in the mouth and female genital tract. However, there are two species that can cause very serious disease in humans.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the cause of the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. This is a major public health issue in the United States and worldwide. Untreated infections of gonorrhea can lead to more serious disease like gonococcal arthritis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Neisseria meningitis is the causative agent of meningococcal meningitis, a serious, potentially life-threatening disease of the spinal fluid and meninges.

II. VIRUSES

v  Chicken pox

- it’s also known as “Varicella” and “shingles” (reoccurrence of chicken pox)

-it is caused by Varicella Virus

-it is transmitted through primarily Airborne, droplet and contact.

-its signs and symptoms are mild fever, skin rashes (vesicle- raised lesions w/ serous fluid)

-it can be treated with antibacterial and antiviral drugs.

-it can also be treated with non-pharmacologic medication :

For fever: tepid sponge, oral fluid intake ret & high calories (carbohydrates)

For pain: cold compress and hot compress.

v  Measles

-it’s also known as Rubeola/Hard measles.

-it is caused by measles virus and rubeola virus.

-it can be passed through airborne, droplet, contact( fomite)

- it’s signs and symptoms:

fever, skin rashes (maculopapular- reddish clored lesion.) , “koplik’s spot’s”( whit but surrounded with red color tissue), cough, conjunctivitis,coryza (runny nose), and photosensitivity(sensitive to light).

v  German measles

- its also known as rubella( a three day disease.)

-it’s caused by by rubella virus.

-it is transmitted by droplet and contact.

-it’s signs and symptoms are fever, skin rashes and “farscheimmer’s lesions”( found in the palate).

v  Dengue

-Its also known as H-fever, break bone fever, dandy fever, and onyong-yong fever.

-It causes by hemorrhagic fever( a blood loss of 500 ml)

-it is caused by dengue virus type 1,2,3,4, chikungunya virus)

-It is transmitted by a vector:

            Aedesaegypti- a daybiting vector.

            Aedesalbopictus

            Cuexfatigans

            -it’s signs and symptoms high fever, malaise, flushing( red appearance), epistaxis( nose bleeding on the 1^st four days and abdominal pain.

            -its treated by fluid replacement, pain analgesic, abstinence from eating choco colored food.

            -it is diagnose through platelet count, tourniquet test

            -it is prevented by:

                        By not going outside during night.

                        Mosquito nets and repellants.

v  Influenza

-      It’s a mild viral infection of the lower respiratory tract.

-      It’s also known flu

-      It’s caused by influenza virus type A, B, C

-      It’s transmitted through via droplet( sputum, mucus,& saliva)

-      It’s signs and symptoms are low grade fever, non productive cough, coryza, chills and malaise

-      It’s self limiting disease.

III. Fungus

             Tinea                                              Jock's itch

                                   athlete's foot

candida infection

• Tinea (say: tih-nee-uh) is a type of fungal infection of the hair, skin, or nails. When it's on the skin, tinea usually begins as a small red area the size of a pea. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle or ring. Tinea is often called ringworm because it may look like tiny worms are under the skin (but of course, they're not!).
  
  Because the fungi that cause tinea (ringworm) live on different parts of the body, they are named for the part of the body they infect. Scalp ringworm is found on the head, and body ringworm affects any other skin areas.
• Athlete's foot is another type of fungal infection that usually appears between the toes but can also affect toenails and the bottom or sides of the feet.
• Jock itch is a fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. You might think only men and boys get it, but girls and women can get it, too.
• • • • Candida (say: kan-duh-duh) is a yeast, similar to a fungus. It most often affects the skin around the nails or the soft, moist areas around body openings. Diaper rash in babies can be from one type of candidal infection, as can thrush (white patches often found in the mouths of babies.) Older girls and women may develop another form of candidal infection in and around the vagina. This is called a yeast infection