10.3.1: Common Pathogens
- Page ID
- 90416
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can be found virtually everywhere on Earth. Common bacterial pathogens include the following:
- Streptococcus: Responsible for various infections, including strep throat and skin infections.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli): Some strains can cause food poisoning and urinary tract infections.
- Salmonella: Often associated with foodborne illnesses.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis: The causative agent of tuberculosis (TB).
- Staphylococcus aureus: Can cause skin infections, pneumonia, and more, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and contain genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat. They require a host cell to reproduce. Common viral pathogens include
- Influenza virus: Responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): The virus that leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- Herpes simplex virus: Causes oral and genital herpes.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): Linked to various types of cancer and genital warts.
- Hepatitis viruses (A, B, C): Cause liver inflammation and can lead to chronic liver disease.
Fungi are eukaryotic (made of more than one cell) microorganisms; some species can cause infections in humans and animals. Common fungal pathogens include
- Candida albicans: Responsible for yeast infections in the mouth, throat, and genital area.
- Aspergillus: Can cause lung infections, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Cryptococcus: Affecting the lungs and central nervous system, especially in individuals with compromised immunity.
- Dermatophytes: Responsible for various skin infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.
Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can cause various diseases, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Common protozoal pathogens include
- Plasmodium: Responsible for malaria, a widespread and deadly disease.
- Entamoeba histolytica: Causes amoebic dysentery.
- Giardia lamblia: Causes giardiasis, a gastrointestinal infection.
- Trypanosoma: Causes diseases like African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease.
Parasitic worms are multicellular organisms that can infect various parts of the body. Common helminthic pathogens include
- Ascaris lumbricoides: Causes intestinal roundworm infections.
- Schistosoma: Responsible for schistosomiasis, a tropical disease affecting the urinary and intestinal systems.
- Taenia saginata and Taenia solium: Tapeworms responsible for intestinal infections.
(Janeway et al., 2001)