Assignment

Virology /Mycology

Chain of Infections

Abdul Jabbar
BS-AHS MLT 5TH Semester

Submitted To: Madam Mahnoor Nadeem

Dated: 7th / July / 2022
 INTRODUCTION

Chain of Infection

The “Chain of Infection” describes the process of infection that begins when an

Infectious agent leaves its reservoir through a portal of exit, and is transmitted by a

Mode of transmission entering through a portal of entry to infect a susceptible host.

Infectious Agent

• Microorganisms that are responsible for causing

disease production:

• Viruses

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Protozoa and Helminthes

• Parasites
 • Prions

2. Reservoirs of Infection

The reservoir of an infectious agent is where the infectious agent normally lives and
multiplies

Types of reservoirs

1. Human
2. Animals
3. Environment

Reservoirs of Infection - Humans

Human Reservoir: An infected person with or without apparent symptoms
who can transmit this agent to others.
 Two types of human reservoir exist:

• Cases: persons with symptomatic illness

• Carriers: persons appearing asymptomatic or symptomatic
Types of Carriers:

1. Asymptomatic carrier: An infected individual that shows no symptoms.

Although unaffected they can transmit disease to others.

2. Symptomatic carrier: The carrier state may occur during the incubation period,
convalescence, and post convalescence of an individual with a clinically
recognizable disease (eg. influenza, childhood diseases).

Reservoirs of Infection - Animals

• Diseases that can be passed from animals to humans (eg. Lyme disease,
swine flu)

• Avian Influenza (wild birds and poultry)

• Swine Influenza (pigs)

• Brucellosis (cows and pigs)

• Anthrax (sheep)
 • Plague (rodents carrying infected fleas)

3 . Portal of Exit

Portal of exit is the route an infectious agent leaves the host. The common cause
of disease transmission. Examples:

1. Respiratory tract
2. Gastro intestinal tract
3. Skin lesions

1. Mucous membrane
4. Modes of Transmission Direct

Direct contact
• Skin-to-skin contact, kissing, and sexual
intercourse.
 5. Portal of Entry

An agent enters a susceptible host through a portal of entry. The portal of entry
provides a site for the agent to multiply or for a toxins to act. Incubation

Period: The period from exposure to infection to the onset of symptoms or

signs of infectious disease.
The length of incubation period depends on:

• The portal of entry.

• The rate of growth of the organism in the host.

• The dosage of the infectious agent.

The host resistance.

6. Susceptible Host

The host: is a person or other living organism that can be infected by an

infectious agent under normal conditions.

A susceptible host is the final link in the chain of infection Susceptibility of a host
depends on:

• General factors

• Genetic factors
• Specific acquired immunity

Thank you