HUMAN PATHOGENS

There are five major categories of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and
helminthes.
Bacteria: They are the smallest organisms. They are single celled
microorganisms (prokaryote) but their cells differ from the cell of an animal or a
human being in that they lack nuclei. Their genetic material is places somewhat
in the middle of the bacteria. They lack membranes that normally cover
organelles. Many possess a cell wall to protect them against the defense
mechanisms of their host. They appear in a variety of shapes: spherical (coccus)
e.g. staphylococcus aureus; like rods (bacillus) e.g. bacillus anthracis; or like
spirals e.g. vibrio cholerae.
Viruses: Viruses do not fulfill all characteristics of life and thus are not cells in
nature; theyre referred to as particles. They are very tiny and can infect plants,
human beings and animals. A virus particle is composed of a viral genome that is
surrounded by a protein coat. They reproduce by taking control of the genetic
machinery of their host.
Fungi: They are simple plant like organisms that lack chlorophyll and thus
cannot manufacture their own food. Some are macroscopic (mushrooms) while
others are microscopic e.g. moulds and yeasts. Yeasts are single celled fungi
and their cells are surrounded by a cell wall. They ferment sugar to alcohol.
Moulds are multi-celled organisms and have a cell wall as well.
Protozoa: They are single celled organisms with eukaryotic cells. They have a
membrane bound nucleus and several other organelles. They live in water, damp
soil and in the bodies of plants and some animals. Many contain features that
facilitate their locomotion e.g. cilia, flagella or pseudopodia (false foot). Examples
of protozoa: Plasmodium (causative agent of malaria), Entamoeba (causative
agent of amoebiasis).
Helminthes: These include worms and flukes. Worms are of different kinds e.g.,
tapeworms (segmented worms), round worms (non-segmented), hookworms
(that suck blood) and filarial worms (e.g. the worms that cause elephantiasis).
These have many cells where many have differentiated into special structures.
Flukes: E.g. Schistosoma that causes bilharzias. They have many cells which
have also differentiated. Many of them are hermaphroditic in nature such that
they possess both male and female reproductive organs.