We are Not Alone

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We are Not Alone
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They are in the air we breathe . . .
In our food . . .
On our skin . . .
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-on everything we touch.
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They are . . .
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microorganisms
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What are microorganisms?
(also called microbes)
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Microbes are small living plants or animals most
of which are not visible to the naked eye. Some
microbes cause disease or infection. Many
microbes are good organisms that help keep
balance in the environment and the body.
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What microbes lack in size, they make up in
number.
On the average human, there are about 100
trillion microbes.
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Good vs. Bad Microorganisms  Microorganisms
that cause disease (germs) are referred to as
pathogens.  
Yeah, Im bad.
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Microorganisms that are harmless or beneficial
are called nonpathogens.
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Most microbes are considered beneficial or
harmless.
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beneficial organisms
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Pathogens 3
opportunists
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The role of good microorganisms
Marine freshwater microbes form the basis of
the food chain in oceans, lakes, and rivers.
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Soil microbes help break down wastes.
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Humans and other animals depend on bacteria in
their intestines for digestion and synthesis of
vitamins including vitamin B (for
metabolism) vitamin K (for blood clotting)
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Microorganisms have many commercial
applications They are used in synthesis of
chemical products such as
acetone
alcohol
enzymes
organic acids
many drugs
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They are used in the food industry for producing
pickles
cheese
vinegar
alcoholic beverages
green olives
bread
yogurt
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Main Classes of Pathogenic Organisms

• Bacteria
• simple one-celled organisms
• At home within climate of human body
• compose largest group of pathogens

• Fungi yeasts molds
• Plant-like organisms that live on dead organic
  matter
• Grow best in dark, damp places

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• 3) Viruses - smallest microbes
• acellular particles (not a complete cell)

• 4) Protozoa
• one-celled animals often found in decayed
  materials contaminated water

• 5) Helminths
• parasitic worms
• caused by larval egg infestations

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Bacterial Infections
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Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious
  infectious disease that mainly affects your
  lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are
  spread from one person to another through tiny
  droplets released into the air via coughs and
  sneezes.

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Medications are the cornerstone of tuberculosis
treatment. But treating TB takes much longer than
treating other types of bacterial infections.
With tuberculosis, you must take antibiotics for
at least six to nine months. The exact drugs and
length of treatment depend on your age, overall
health, possible drug resistance, the form of TB
(latent or active) and the infection's location
in the body.
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Clostridium Difficileaka C-Diff

• a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from
  diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the
  colon.
• C. difficile bacteria are passed in feces and
  spread to food, surfaces and objects when people
  who are infected don't wash their hands
  thoroughly. The bacteria produce spores that can
  persist in a room for weeks or months. If you
  touch a surface contaminated with C. difficile,
  you may then unknowingly swallow the bacteria.
• Your intestines contain millions of bacteria,
  many of which help protect your body from
  infection. But when you take an antibiotic to
  treat an infection, the drug can destroy some of
  the normal, helpful bacteria as well as the
  bacteria causing the illness. Without enough
  healthy bacteria, C. difficile can quickly grow
  out of control.
• Once established, C. difficile can produce toxins
  that attack the lining of the intestine. The
  toxins destroy cells and produce patches
  (plaques) of inflammatory cells and decaying
  cellular debris inside the colon and cause watery
  diarrhea.

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Treatment Doctors typically prescribe a 10-day
course of one of the following oral antibiotics
metronidazole (Flagyl), Dificid (fidaxomicin), or
vancomycin (Vancocin). Flagyl is usually tried
first. Improvement usually happens within 72
hours after starting antibiotics, but the
diarrhea may return temporarily. Another round of
antibiotics is needed in about 25 of cases. In
addition to prescribed medications, treatment may
include Probiotics. Available in most drug and
health food stores without a prescription,
probiotics are "good" bacteria that colonize in
the gut and may help keep C. diff. infection from
recurring if taken along with prescribed
medicines. Fluids. Drinking plenty of water and
other fluids or getting intravenous fluids can
help guard against dehydration from
diarrhea. For severe cases they are now using
fecal transplants.
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Necrotizing Fasciitis
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(No Transcript)
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Impetigo
highly contagious bacterial infection
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• Impetigo is a fairly common superficial skin
  infection caused by bacteria. It may occur on
  normal skin, but the bacteria usually invades at
  the site of a skin abrasion, scratch, or insect
  bite.
• Treatment is with antibiotics.

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Extensive case of impetigo on underarm of baby.
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Fetal Tetanus (note severe muscle contractions)
Due to toxin production as a result of bacterial
infection.
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• Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is caused by
  bacterial spores that have entered a deep wound.
  The spores germinate and produce a toxin which
  interferes with nerves controlling muscles.
  Progressive muscular spasms result.
• If muscle spasms develop early and are severe,
  chances of recovery are poor.
• Prevention through immunization is the best
  treatment

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Diphtheria
Note swelling in neck
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• Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection that
  usually attacks the respiratory tract. The
  infection occurs by inhalation of airborne
  droplets.

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Diphtheria membrane
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Cellulitis An acute bacterial inflammation of
connective tissue.
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• Cellulitis usually occurs with dermatitis, a
  fungal infection, or after a skin injury. It may
  be accompanied by a fever.
• Treatment antibiotics elevation of infected
  area application of hot, moist compresses to
  site.

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Lymes Disease
hallmark bulls-eye lesion
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• Lyme disease was first diagnosed in New Lyme,
  Connecticut as a rare form of arthritis. It is,
  however, now known to be a bacterial infection
  caused by a spirochete that is present in the
  deer tick. The vector (insect that carries the
  infection) usually transfers the bacteria by
  biting a host (human).
• Signs and symptoms usually include papule that
  becomes red, warm, and itchy. The lesion may
  grow to over 20 inches in diameter it typically
  resembles a bulls eye or target. Malaise and
  fatigue are constant. There are generally
  intermittent episodes of headaches, neck
  stillness, fever, chills, achiness.
• Treatment is a 10 to 20-day course of
  antibiotics.

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Tiny deer tick vector that transmits lymes
disease.
Due to its small size, the deer tick is often
hard to see, making detecting of this vector
difficult.
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Fungal Infections
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Candidiasis Oral Thrush
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• Candida is part of the normal flora of the mouth.
  It is an opportunistic infection that is
  usually held in check by other organisms and the
  immune system. When the immune system is
  compromised (chemotherapy, long-term illness,
  transplantation, stress, AIDS, etc.), the
  infection can occur.
• Signs cream-colored patches on tongue, mouth,
  and/or throat.
• Treatment is with oral antifungal mouth solution
  --Nystatin. (Swish Swallow)

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Oral Thrush tongue
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Candidiasis of Skin Typical red, slightly most
lesions.
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• Candidiasis of the skin is characterized by
  pruritus (itching) and peeling. This fungal
  infection usually occurs in damp moist areas. It
  is often seen in folds of skin. The fungi will
  spread, producing a fringed irregular edge and
  pustules. The individual is subject to soreness,
  itching, and peeling of the lesion. Predisposing
  factors might include diabetes, antibiotic
  therapy, immune deficiency, oral contraceptive
  use, cytotoxic drug therpay, and obesity.
• Other common manifestations of skin candidiasis
  are diaper rash vaginitis.

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Nail Fungus
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• Nail fungi are usually a result of extended
  exposure to moisture. (e.g. moisture trapped
  under acrylic nails). Nail beds can become red
  and swollen. The infected nail is
  whitish-yellow and tends to be flaky and soft.
  Purulent discharge may be seen from nail bed.
• Treatment may include topical and or oral
  antifungal medication. Sometimes the nail may be
  removed.

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Black Hairy Tongue
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• This fungal infection causes hair-like papillae
  on top of tongue to grow. It produces a
  condition in which the tongue looks as though it
  is covered with hair.

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Cutaneous Fungal Infection Tinea Versicolor
Note hypopigmented fungal lesions
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• The white patches seen on skin are due to
  colonies of fungi which prohibit regular
  pigmentation. These patches usually have a
  slightly raised, velvety texture.
• Treatment includes use of an antifungal sulfur
  soap which is left on skin overnight for a period
  of a month. Topical antifungal ointments may
  help.

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Cutaneous Fungal Infection Ringworm
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• Ringworm is due to a parasite, not an actual
  worm. The infestation was named after the
  characteristic rings seen on the skin. These
  rings can grow outward as the infection spreads.
  Ringworm is very contagious and may spread
  through entire households and from schoolmate to
  schoolmate. For a mild infection, treatment is
  an over-the-counter antifungal agent.

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Cutaneous Blastomycosis Hand Wrist
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• Blastomycosis is caused by a yeast-like fungus.
  Cutaneous blastomyucosis causes nonpruritic
  lesions on exposed body parts which may become
  raised and reddened and sometimes necrotic.

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Subcutaneous Blastomycosis Manifested by
subcutaneous abscesses in upper chest
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• Cutaneous blastomycosis lesions can disseminate
  to bone and cause subcutaneous soft tissue
  swelling resulting in tenderness and warmth over
  bony lesions.
• Treatment with antifungal medication
  amphotericin B or fluconazol may be used.

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Chromomycosis Deep fungal infection with
granulomatous lesions.
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• Chromomycosis is a slowly spreading fungal
  infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
  It can produce granulomatous lesions on the legs
  or arms and may spread to the brain if not
  treated.
• This type of fungal infection requires a systemic
  antifungal agent. The condition is chronic.

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Viral Infections
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Influenza The Flu
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Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness that
is caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious
and is usually spread by the coughs and sneezes
of a person who is infected. Not treated with
Antibiotics!! Tamaflu
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Viral Infection Verruca Vulgaris (Wart)
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• Warts are common, benign viral infections of the
  skin caused by the human papillomavirus Some
  warts disappear readily with treatment whereas
  others necessitate prolonged treatment.
• Treatment might include electrodesiccation
  (effective for common warts), cryotherapy (useful
  for facial or genital warts), acid therapy (not
  recommended for areas where perspiration is
  heavy)

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Herpes Type I Oral Herpes
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• Herpes type I affects skin and mucous membranes.
  It commonly produces cold sores and fever
  blisters. Presently, there is no cure for herpes
  virus.

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More Oral Herpes
healing stage
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Neonatal Herpes
Premature infant born with classic cigarette
burn pattern of HSV infection.
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• Most cases of herpes simples virus (HSV)
  infection occur when infants are contaminated by
  the mothers reproductive tract immediately prior
  to or during birth. HSV infections can be very
  destructive to the fetus or newborn and in some
  cases may be fatal.

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Poliomyelitis (also called infantile
paralysis) Note deformed right leg
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• Poliomyelitis is an acute communicable disease
  caused by the poliovirus. Polio can range in
  severity from inapparent infection to fatal
  paralysis. The virus can affect the motor nerve
  cells and cause paralysis to various parts of the
  body. Only about 10 of infected people develop
  identifiable symptoms, and researchers report
  that paralysis probably affects fewer than 1 of
  those infected with the poliovirus.
• Polio was first recognized in 1840 when it became
  an epidemic in Norway and Sweden. Outbreaks
  became pandemic and the incidence of infection
  peaked during the early 1950s. In 1955, Jonas
  Salk created the polio vaccine which has
  effectively eliminated poliomyelitis.

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Iron Lung used by polio victims
The polio virus could cause muscular paralysis to
the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. When this
happened, breathing was possible only with the
iron lungs.
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Varicella (Chickenpox with oral involvement)
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• Varicella is an airborne infection. Symptoms
  include lethargy and raised skin eruptions that
  are pruritic (itchy). There are three stages of
  the eruptions papules, vesicles, crusted
  lesions when vesicles have opened. Chickenpox is
  contagious as long as one has lesions. There is
  a varicella vaccination which prevents
  chickenpox.
• Shingles (herpes zoster) is a condition that can
  develop in people who have had chickenpox. The
  virus becomes dormant in nerve cells and may
  later be stimulated and cause painful skin
  eruptions along skin supplied by the infected
  nerve.

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Measles (rubeola) Rash usually begins on face
and spreads to trunk and extremities.
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• Measles is a very contagious viral infection.
  Transmission of rubella is airborne by way of
  infected droplets from the nose of mouth.
• Signs and Symptoms include high fever, pain of
  eyes and sensitivity to light. The most
  characteristic sign is a maculopapular rash (red
  blotch and tiny bump). Persons are contagious
  until the rash is gone.
• Vaccination against rubella is effective.

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Mumps Note edema to cheeks and neck
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• Mumps is caused by a virus and spread by
  inhalation of infected droplets. Affected
  individuals become contagious one day before the
  symptoms are apparent.
• Symptoms can include swollen, painful salivary
  glands which cause the cheeks to puff out,
  low-grade fever, lethargy. Mumps is not a
  serious disease. It rarely lasts more than two
  weeks. In rare instances, encephalitis may
  develop.
• The mumps vaccine is safe and effective.

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Viral Hepatitis Severely distended abdomen
(ascites). Secondary complication from hepatitis.
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• Hepatitis may become chronic or severe and result
  in cirrhosis of the liver and portal
  hypertension. As a result of portal
  hypertension, excess fluid seeps from the liver
  into the abdominal cavity (ascites). Treatment
  for ascites might includes diuretics, or
  abdominocentesis.

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Parasitic Protozoan Infections
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Leishmaniasis (protozoan systemic
disease) Severe nodular, disfiguring
lesions transmitted by sand fly
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• Leishmaniasis (pronounced lish man-i a-sis) are
  transmitted when an infected sandfly bites and
  enters the blood of the host. Leishmaniasis is
  endemic to most tropical and subtropical
  countries.

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Dracunculiasis (Fiery Dragon Worm) Found just
under skin of human host.
Causes blisters at site of infestation.
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• There is a wide geographical distribution of
  these dragon worms Asia, Middle East, Arabia,
  and North and equatorial Africa). Humans are
  generally infested with this parasite by drinking
  contaminated water. Once in the human, worms
  migrate from intestinal tract via subcutaneous
  tissue to the skin where the fertilized female
  worms reach maturity and produce juveniles.
  (Male worms die after fertilization.) Sores
  produced by reproductive female worms result in a
  blister. Oftentimes, these sores can be infected
  with bacteria, resulting in abscesses.

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Ulceration from worm.
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• Eventually a superficial blister will ulcerate
  and the worm is visible. At this point, most
  infestations are treated by simply removing
  female worm. Typically, the worm is attached to
  a small stick and removed by slowly winding the
  worm on to the stick. Although this is a
  primitive treatment, it is an effective method.
  It does not prevent much of the damage caused by
  worms nor does this method prevent reinfection.

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A fiery dragon worm emerges from leg.
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Elphantiasis (filariasis)
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• The microscopic larvae of the filarial worm enter
  the body through the bite of a mosquito or other
  insect. It tends to infest the lymph nodes and
  prevent drainage of lymph . This results in
  swelling and gross disfiguration of genitals and
  legs. These worms are common in most tropic and
  subtropic regions. The condition is endemic in
  Central Africa and Southern South East Asia.

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Elphantiasis affecting left leg and genitals
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• Worm infection is characterized by occlusion of
  lymph vessels. There is swelling and pain of the
  limb that is distal to the blockage. After many
  years the limb may become grotesquely swollen and
  the skin coarse and tough.
• Oral medication is available for treatment. The
  most effective means of preventing filarial
  infestation is mosquito and insect control.

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Intestinal helminthes cause infestations in
intestinal tract and abdominal organs such as the
liver and spleen.
Always in pairs.
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• Treatment for intestinal helminthes generally
  consists of taking antiparasitic drugs.

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Helminthes which have infested the
liver. hepatomegaly and ascites
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Intestinal Roundworms
Mass of 800 worms removed from childs ileum
during autopsy
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• The intestinal roundworm, ascaris lumbricoides
  (as-kah-ris lum-brih-koy-dees), is a giant
  helminth. The ascaris spends its larval and
  adult stages in humans. Later, it releases eggs
  in human feces, which can be spread to other
  humans through food, drink, or soiled items
  placed in the mouth.
• Treatment consists of taking antiparasitic drugs.

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Loa Loa eye worm infestation in conjunctiva
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• The loa loa is a parasitic worm of western and
  central Africa. It is also be referred to as the
  eye worm. In this picture, the worm is just
  under the conjunctiva of the eye.

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Loa loa being extracted from under conjunctivia.
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Hydatid cyst formed by tiny tapeworm that
migrated to brain.
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• This dangerous tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus,
  lives in the intestinal tract of carnivorous
  animals (e.g. dogs, wolves). Humans become
  infected from contact with the feces of animals
  that had eaten flesh of sheep or deer containing
  the cyst form of the tapeworm. This disease is
  more commonly seen in people who hunt and trap
  wild animals or raise livestock.

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• Summary
• Microbes are microscopic organisms
• About 100 trillion microbes live on the average
  human
• Bad microbes are pathogens
• About 3 of microorganisms are pathogenic
• Main classes of pathogenic microbes include
  bacteria, fungi, viruses, protoza, helminths

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Thats all folks.