Laporga, Stephani Grace A.
S2A
Etiologic agents
are those microorganisms and microbial toxins that cause
disease in humans and include bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae,
protozoans, and parasites. These disease-causing microorganisms may also. Be
referred to as infectious agents.
Transient or temporary skin flora
refers to the microorganisms
that transiently colonize the skin. This includes bacteria, fungi and viruses, which
reach the hands, for example, by direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly via objects.
Resident skin flora
is the physiological skin flora, also known as
colonizing flora. It comprises bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, propioni
and corynebacteria, which do not have a pathogenic effect on the skin.
True pathogen
is an infectious agent that causes disease in virtually any
susceptible host.
Pathogens
are a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Opportunistic
infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses,
fungi, or protozoa) that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available, such
as a host with a weakened immune system, an altered micro biota (such as a
disrupted gut flora), or breached integumentary barriers.
Opportunistic pathogens
are potentially infectious agents that rarely cause
disease in individuals with healthy immune systems.
Communicable disease
an illness due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic
products that arises through transmission of that agent or its products from an
infected person, animal or inanimate reservoir to a susceptible host; either directly or
indirectly through an intermediate plant or animal host, vector or the inanimate
environment. (Synonym: infectious disease)
Common Types of Microorganisms Causing Infection
A. Bacteria
constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a
few micrometres in length, bacteria have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to
rods and spirals. Bacteria inhabit soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste,and
the deep portions of Earth's crust. Bacteria also live in symbiotic and parasitic
relationships with plants and animals.
B. Virus
is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of
other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to
microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.
C. Fungi
is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes
unicellular microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as multicellular fungi
that produce familiar fruiting forms known as mushrooms. These organisms are
classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from the other eukaryotic life
kingdoms of plants and animals.
D. Protozoa
are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Historically,
protozoa were defined as single-celled organisms with animal-like behaviors, such as
motility and predation. The group was regarded as the zoological counterpart to the
"protophyta", which were considered to be plant-like, as they are capable of
[Link] terms protozoa and protozoans are also used informally to
designate single-celled, non-photosynthetic protists, such as ciliates, amoebae and
flagellates.
Types of Antimicrobial Preparations
1. Bactericidal Preparation
or bacteriocide, sometimes abbreviated Bcidal, is
a substance that kills bacteria. Bactericides are disinfectants, antiseptics, or
antibiotics.
2. Bacteriostatic Preparation
An agent, such as a chemical or biological
material, that inhibits bacterial growth.
3. Germicides
is any type of products or agents that are designed to kill and
destroy germs and bacteria on the surface of different things.
a substance or other agent that destroys harmful microorganisms; an
antiseptic.\
4. Disinfectant
are antimicrobial agents that are applied to the surface of non-
living objects to destroy microorganisms that are living on the objects. Disinfection
does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, especially resistant bacterial spores; it is
less effective than sterilization, which is an extreme physical and/or chemical process
that kills all types of life.
5. Antiseptic
are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin
to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptics are generally
distinguished from antibiotics by the latter's ability to be transported through the
lymphatic system to destroy bacteria within the body, and from disinfectants, which
destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects
6. Sterilization
the removal of all microorganisms and other pathogens from an
object or surface by treating it with chemicals or subjecting it to high heat or
radiation. Sterilization also refers to procedures that result in infertility.
