Funeral Service Microbiology and Pathology Flashcards

Wine-Like Clusters?

Answer: Staphylococci

Staphylococci are a genus of Gram-positive bacteria that typically arrange themselves in irregular, grape-like or 'wine-like' clusters when viewed under a microscope. This characteristic morphology is a key identifying feature, distinguishing them from other bacteria like streptococci, which form chains. Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known pathogenic species within this genus.

Which of the following is the reference point for determining how effective chemical disinfectants are?

Answer: Phenol

Phenol (carbolic acid) is historically used as the standard reference disinfectant against which the efficacy of other chemical disinfectants is measured. The 'phenol coefficient' is a value that compares the effectiveness of a disinfectant to that of phenol under specific conditions. A higher phenol coefficient indicates greater disinfectant potency, making phenol the reference point.

Which of the following is a Chlamydia-related condition?

Answer: Psittacosis

Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever, is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Chlamydia psittaci*. It is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds, particularly parrots, and can cause respiratory symptoms ranging from mild flu-like illness to severe pneumonia. This condition is directly related to the Chlamydia genus.

Which of the following vectors transmits epidemic typhus, which is brought on by the Rickettsia Prowazekii and also known as petechial fever or putrid fever?

Answer: Mosquitoes

Epidemic typhus, caused by *Rickettsia Prowazekii*, is primarily transmitted by the human body louse (*Pediculus humanus humanus*). While mosquitoes are vectors for many other diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue), they are not known to transmit *Rickettsia Prowazekii*. Therefore, based on established medical microbiology, the primary vector for epidemic typhus is the body louse, not mosquitoes.

Among the following, which one is not an STD?

Answer: Tularemia

Tularemia is a bacterial disease caused by *Francisella tularensis*, typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, insect bites (ticks, deer flies), or contaminated food/water. Unlike Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, HSV, and Gonorrhea, which are all well-known sexually transmitted diseases, Tularemia is not primarily or commonly transmitted through sexual contact.

Which of the following symptoms denotes a lower white blood cell count?

Answer: Leukopenia

Leukopenia is a medical term used to describe an abnormally low count of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood. White blood cells are crucial for the immune system, so leukopenia can indicate a weakened immune response or a problem with bone marrow production. In contrast, leukocytosis refers to an elevated white blood cell count.

What is an infection that is brought on by germs already found in the body?

Answer: Endogenous

An endogenous infection is caused by microorganisms that are normally present within the body (e.g., on the skin, in the gut, or respiratory tract) but cause disease when the host's defenses are compromised or when they spread to a normally sterile site. These germs are already part of the body's microbiota. This contrasts with exogenous infections, which are caused by pathogens acquired from outside the body.

What is the best way to describe an infection that only affects a certain area of the body?

Answer: Local

A local infection is confined to a specific area or organ of the body, such as a skin boil or a wound infection, without spreading throughout the bloodstream or to distant sites. Its effects are limited to the site of infection. This is distinct from systemic or generalized infections, which affect the entire body.

The kind of infection that spreads from one infected region to create new infected locations in the body is?

Answer: Focal

A focal infection is one where the pathogens from a local infection spread to other specific, distant sites in the body, creating new localized infections. For example, bacteria from an infected tooth might travel through the bloodstream and cause an infection in a heart valve. It's a localized infection that serves as a source for dissemination to other specific areas.

What compounds do the body produce in response to the intake of a foreign substance?

Answer: Antibodies

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are Y-shaped proteins produced by plasma cells (a type of B cell) in response to the presence of specific foreign substances called antigens. They play a crucial role in the immune system by recognizing and binding to these antigens, marking them for destruction or neutralizing them. This production is the body's specific immune response.

microorganisms that create poisons and discharge them into the environment through live cells

Answer: Exotoxins

Exotoxins are potent protein toxins produced and actively secreted by certain living bacteria into their surrounding environment. These toxins can cause significant damage to host cells and tissues, often acting at sites distant from the bacterial infection. Examples include toxins causing botulism, tetanus, and diphtheria, which are discharged by live cells.

bacteria-produced toxins that are only released when the bacteria's cells break down and die

Answer: Endotoxins

Endotoxins are lipopolysaccharide (LPS) components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike exotoxins, they are not actively secreted but are released primarily when the bacterial cell lyses (breaks down) or dies. Endotoxins can trigger a strong inflammatory response in the host, leading to symptoms like fever, shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Are bacteria thought of?

Answer: Procaryotic

Bacteria are classified as prokaryotic organisms, meaning their cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material (DNA) is typically found in a nucleoid region within the cytoplasm. This distinguishes them from eukaryotic cells, which possess a true nucleus and complex organelles.

Microorganisms that are causing harm to the host through invasion, multiplication, and spread are known as?

Answer: Infection

The term 'infection' precisely describes the process where microorganisms invade a host, multiply, and spread, causing harm. This definition aligns perfectly with the question's description of microorganisms causing harm through invasion, multiplication, and spread. Other options like 'infestation' refer to larger parasites, and 'contamination' is merely the presence of unwanted substances, not necessarily active harm.

Which of the following rare contagious diseases can only be accurately identified postmortem through a brain exam?

Answer: CJD / KURU / RABIES

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), Kuru, and Rabies are all severe neurological diseases that often require postmortem examination of brain tissue for definitive diagnosis. CJD and Kuru are prion diseases, and Rabies is a viral encephalitis, making accurate identification challenging without direct examination of the affected brain tissue. This makes them particularly relevant in mortuary science for their unique diagnostic requirements.

Is a contagious illness always contagious?

Answer: TRUE

By definition, a contagious illness is one that has the inherent ability to be transmitted from one individual to another. Therefore, if an illness is classified as contagious, it always possesses this characteristic of transmissibility. The term itself implies an ongoing potential for spread under suitable conditions.