LESSON 4

MICROORGANISMS
AND
HUMAN DISEASES
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MICROBES AND THE

HUMAN BODY
A microbe, or “microscopic organism,” is a living thing
that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. We need
to use a microscope to see them. The term is very
general. It is used to describe many different types of
life forms, with dramatically different sizes and
characteristics: Bacteria.

Microbes help digest food, absorb nutrients, and out-

compete harmful bacteria in the intestines. They
produce vitamins and proteins that human genes cannot
produce. They prevent the growth of harmful skin
bacteria and further aid the immune system in fighting
infections and diseases throughout the human body.
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Types of Microorganism
That Can Cause Disease
Bacteria
Bacteria are prokaryotic microbes with
single cells and nucleus with out a
membrane. They can various shapes
such as rods ,spheres, and spirals.
People already have billions of
harmless body present in the body.
However ,the ones that invade your
body from the outside cause severe
illness.
Fungi
It is eukaryotic microorganisms with
DNA nucleus. Fungi can be in
unicellular or extremely complex
multicellular forms. Not all fungi affect
your body, but the harmful ones cause
some acute disease.
Viruses
Viruses are majorly responsible for
causing disease among human beings.
They are microscopic agents that
require living cell of anotherorganism
to produce. Viruses infect all life forms
including plants, animals, humans,
bacteria and archaea.
Protozoa
Protozoa is a group of unicellular
eukaryotes that can live independently
or as parasites. They generally feed on
the other living matter such as debris
microbes or organic tissue. One
example of protozoa is amoeba which
can change shape.
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Pathogen a microorganism that has a potential

cause of disease

Important to Infection is the invasion and multiplication of

Reminder pathogenic microbes is an individual or
population.
Disease when the infection causes damage to the
individual vital function or system.

To cause infection, microbes must enter our

bodies. The sites they enter is known as portal
entry.
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Microbes can enter the body through four

sites

01 Respiratory Tract 03 Urogenital Tract

• Urogenital tract e.g., Escherichia coli which causes cystitis
• Respiratory tract (mouth and nose)e.g.
• Influenza virus which causes the flu

02 Gastrointestinal Tract 04 Breaks in the Skin Surface

• Breaks in the skin surface e.g., Clostridium tetani which cause
• Gastrointestinal tract(mouth oral cavity)e.g.
• Vibrio cholerae which causes cholera tetanus
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To make us ill microbes

have to:
• Reach their target site in the body
• Attach to the target site they are trying to
infect so that they are dislodged
• Multiply rapidly
• Obtain their nutrients from host
• Avoid and survive by attack immune system
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Immune System
• The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells and proteins that

defends the body against infection, protecting the body's own cells. The

immune system keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated

so it can recognize and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body

again.

The main parts of the immune system are:

• white blood cells.

• antibodies.

• complement system.

• lymphatic system.

• spleen.

• bone marrow.

• thymus.
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What are the 3 line defense?

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First Line Defense

• The first line of defense is non specific and aims to stop microbes from entering the body. The skin and mucous membranes act as physical barrier preventing
penetration by microbes.
• If the skin is cut then the blood produces a clot which seals the wound and prevents microbes from entering
• The surfaces of the body – the skin, digestive system and the lining of the nose are covered by a community of microbes called normal body flora. They help protect
the host from becoming infected with more harmful microorganism by acting physical barrier.
• The respiratory system – nose and passageways leading to the lungs is lined with cells that produce sticky fluid called mucus that traps invading microbes and dust.
Tiny hairs called cilia move in a wave like motion and microbes and dust particles up to the throat, where they are either coughed or sneezed out or swallowed and
then passed out of the body in faces.
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Second Line Defense

• The Second Line Defense is nonspecific resistance that destroys invaders in a generalized way without targeting specific individuals.
• Phagocytic cells ingest and destroy all microbes that pass into body tissues.
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Third Line Defense

• The third line of final defense is the immune response. The invading microbes or pathogen is called antigen. It is regarded as a threat by the immune
system and is capable of stimulating an immune system. Antigen are found on the surface of pathogen.
• The Third Line Defense aims at eliminating specific pathogens that have been encountered by the immune system previously.
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Route of
Transmission
The spreading of microbes is Transmission involves the
called transmission. following stages:

• Escape from the host or reservoir

Different pathogens have different
of infection (where the infectious
modes of transmission. For example
agent normally lives and
respiratory pathogens are usually
multiplies)
airborne and intestinal pathogens are
• Transport to new host
usually spread by water or food.
• Entry to new host escape from new
host
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The Main Routes

of Transmission
Person to person (touch)

• ex. Colds Contaminated blood or other

bodily fluids
• Ex. Hepatitis B and HIV can spread
through sexual intercourse or
sharing of used syringe needles
contaminated with infected blood.
Saliva
• Ex.cold or flu can be caught fro
saliva of an infected person when
you kiss them
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The Main Routes

of Transmission

Insects Fomites
• This is nonliving object such as bedding,
• Insects are responsible for spreading many
towel, toys and barbed wire that can carry
diseases. They can also transmit pathogens
disease causing organism. The fungus
to food ;house flies are very good at
Trichophyton that causes athletes foot can be
spreading Salmonella and E.coli. They feed
spread indirectly through towels and
fecal waste and transfer microbes from changing room floors.
their feet and other parts to food.
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List of Diseases Caused by
Microorganism
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List of Diseases Caused by Virus
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List of Diseases Caused by
Protozoa
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10 Disease
Caused by Bacteria
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1.
Tetanus
• Causative Agent: Clostridium Tetani
• Tetanus is a life-threatening bacterial disease that paralyze the nervous system
and muscles of the affected person. This condition Occurs when Clostridium
tetani release toxins that disrupt nerves responsible for movement. Standard
modes of transmission include Contaminated fecal matter, animal bites or
contaminated saliva.
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2.
Tuberculosis
• Tuberculosis Commonly called T.B is a highly infectious disease of the lungs
caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An air borne disease that can be
transmitted when affected person drops viable droplets of the bacteria while
sneezing and coughing.?Sign and Symptoms
• Fever, nights sweats and weight loss.
• Treatment
• Antibiotics(isoniazid and Rifampicin)
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3.
Pneumonia
• Causative Agent: Klebsiella Pneumonia
• Pneumonia, residing in the respiratory tract. Pneumonia is an infection caused
by Streptococcus pneumonia. These bacteria predominantly attack the lungs,
making it difficult to breathe. The active disease begins when you inhale the
bacteria, leading to rapid production of bacteria in the lungs. Symptoms of
pneumonia include fever, chest pain
• Cough with phlegm, and night chills pneumococcal vaccine and antibiotics
are effective in preventing and treating Pneumonia infections.
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4.
Cholera
• Causative Agent: Vibrio cholerae
• Cholera is a bacterial disease caused by active Vibrio cholerae bacteria in
food and water. Consumption of contaminated food causes
• Dehydration which can be life threatening if not managed properly. Infection
is common in region with poor sanitation and unclean water. Symptoms of
cholera include vomiting, diarrhea and cramps.
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5.
Dysentery
• Causative Agent: Genus Shigella
• Dysentery is an irritation in the intestine caused by Genus shigella. Like
cholera, contaminated food and water are prevalent modes of transmitting the
bacterium causing dysentery.
• The prevalent transmission mode is people who fail to adhere to proper
hygiene after using the toilet. Symptoms of dysentery include fever, and
bloody diarrhea.
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6.
Pseudomonas Infection
• Causative Agent: Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Pseudomonas infection is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa attacking the
human respiratory system. A disease occurs through food, surgical
equipment, or physical contact with infected infection
• Symptoms include skin rash, pains or inflammation. Antibiotics may be
effective in an active Pseudomonas infection.
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7.
Gonorrhea
• Causative Agent: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Also known as the clap is a commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted
disease, making it the second most predominant sexually transmitted disease
in the U.S.
• If not treated early, gonorrhea can lead to complication in both men and
women. The bacteria may cause infection of the uterus and fallopian tube in
women and epididymis in men. In severe cases, this condition may lead to
infertility.
• Symptoms include a painful burning sensation when pee, white or yellowish
discharge from vagina.
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8.
Syphilis
• Causative Agent: Treponema pallidum
• Syphilis is a bacteria disease prevalently transmitted by sexual activities. This
disease is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can
cause damages to organs like brain, joints and eyes and can be transmitted to
an infant from infected pregnant mother during labor.
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9.
Meningitis
• Causative Agent: Neisseria meningitides coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and
Streptococcus pneumonia
• Meningitis is a bacterial disease-causing inflammation of the meninges
around the brain and spinal cord. The active bacterium causing this disease is
transmitted through droplets dispersed when an infected persons coughs or
sneezes.
• Common symptoms of meningitis include vomiting ,nausea and stiff neck.
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10.
Leptospirosis
• Causative Agent: Leptospira spp.
• This infection occurs when exposed organ such as eyes and nose contact
contaminated water soil containing bacteria, Animal urine is atypical habitat
for leptospirosis bacteria’
• Severe cases of this infection can lead to organ failure, which may cause
death if left untreated.
• It is important to observe good hygiene ,eat healthily and avoid physical
contact with people showing noticeable symptoms.
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