Clinical Chemistry_Lab

College of Medical Technology

Pathogenesis (Host-Microbe interaction) Predisposing factors to nosocomial infections:

a. Wide variety of microbes in the hospital
Pathogenesis environment
- Development of an infection and disease. b. Weakened or immunocompromised
patients
Infection c. Chain of transmission (direct or indirect)
- Involves growth and multiplication of i.) from health workers to patient
microorganisms that cause damage to their ii.) from patients to patients
host. iii.) use of fomites (catheters, needles,
- Bodily invasion of pathogenic dressings, beds and wheelchair)
microorganisms that reproduce, multiply iv.) airborne transmission - tuberculosis,
and then cause disease through cellular inhalation of droplets <; for pertussis,
injury, toxin secretion or antigen-antibody inhalation of droplets
reaction in the host. 1. SYMBIOSIS
- Association of two organisms living in close
Type of Infection According to Cause proximity
1. Autologous infection 2. Mutualism
- Cause by a microorganism from microbiota - Symbiotic relationship in which both
of the host organisms benefit from each other
2. Iatrogenic infection 3. Commensalism
- An infection that occurs as the result of - Relationship in which one organism benefits
some medical treatment or procedure while there is no beneficial or harmful effect
3. Opportunistic infection to the other.
- An infection that affects 4. Parasitism
immunocompromised hosts but not the - relationship in which one
individuals with a normal immune system organism(parasite) benefits at the expense
- Overuse of antibiotics, immunosuppressive of its hosts
drugs and chemotherapeutic agents may NORMAL FLORA
cause this infection Also called Indigenous flora
4. Nosocomial infection (hospital-acquired) - Microorganism found in the body site of a
- Acquired at healthcare facility healthy person.
- Handwashing is the cornerstone of modern RESIDENT MICROBIAL FLORA
infection control programs. Microorganisms that colonize an area for months or
years
4 types of nosocomial infections:
TRANSIENT MICROORGANISM
a. Urinary tract infection
- microorganisms that are present at a site
b. Lung infection (pneumonia)
temporarily
c. Surgical site infection
Eliminated either by the host inherent immune
d. Blood stream infection
defenses or by competition with the resident flora.
 Clinical Chemistry_Lab
College of Medical Technology

Mouth
CARRIER STATE Plaque mainly caused by Streptococci spp.
Host that are capable of transmitting disease Mainly has a low oxidation reduction
- an be acute or transient or chronic potential at the tooth surface supports the growth
Example: of anaerobic organism
Salmonella typhi
Respiratory Tract
Neisseria meningitidis
● Mouth, Nasopharynx and Oropharynx
Staphylococcus aureus
viridans streptococci, such as Streptococcus mitis,
Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus milleri, and
Factors that determine the composition of
Streptococcus sanguis; Moraxella catarrhalis;
Microbial Flora Neisseria spp.; and diphtheroids
● Moist Areas
● Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus
Like diphtheroids pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis, all
● Lipid and Fatty Acid bactericidal to bacteria potential pathogens, are also found in the
except Propionibacterium acnes nasopharynx of healthy individuals
(breakdown lipids)
● Affected by pH GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Human milk: 5 – 5.5 (Bifidobacterium spp) ● Esophagus, Stomach, small Intestine and Colon
Vagina: pH 4.0 – 5.0 (Lactobacillus spp) Colon: mainly has few microorganism :
● Low oxidation – reduction potential Enterobacteriaceae
Gingival crevices: Bacteroides and Large Intestine: Gram-positive cocci, yeasts, and
Fusobacterium spp Pseudomonas aeruginosa
● Opportunistic Organism
Clostridium difficile and Candida albicans in ROLE OF THE MICROBIAL FLORA IN THE HOST DEFENSE
Antibiotic intake AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASE
● Age decrease the immune response Antibody production like the production of IgG.
Produces conditions at the
Microbial Flora at Different Body Sites microenvironmental level that block colonization by
extraneous pathogens.
SKIN
● The normal flora is dependent on the
activity of sebaceous or sweat glands.
● Moist areas like the armpit, groin and
perineum mainly has diphtheroids.
● Colonize Sebaceous gland: Staphylococcus
epidermidis and Proprionibacterium spp.