Vocabulary Medical Microbiology 127
Acne vulgaris – inflammation of sebaceous glands on the back, chest and face
Aerobic – requiring oxygen for growth
Alopecia – temporary hair loss
Anabolism – synthesis, metabolic process consisting of synthesis of protoplasm; requires oxygen
Anaerobic – growing in the absence of atmospheric oxygen
Anorexic – loss of appetite
Antibiotic – chemotherapeutic agent which occurs as the byproduct of the metabolic activity of bacteria or fungi (used to defend against bacteria)
Antibodies – specific molecules formed in the animal body in response to the presence of an antigen; once formed they react with that particular antigen
Antigens – foreign substances that induce a specific immune response
Antiseptic – a chemical agent that prevents growth, by either inhibiting the growth of, or destroying the microorganism; used for topical application to living tissue, primarily skin
Asepsis – a condition in which there are no infectious or contaminating microorganisms; the absence of sepsis.
Atelectasis - collapsed lung (usually partially)
Attenuation – change; used in reference to certain vaccines where the organism or its products are of reduced virulence.
Autoclave – steam pressure sterilizer
Autotroph – organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of inorganic compounds (chemoautotrophs) or by respiration of products synthesized with the help of energy from the sun (photoautotrophs).
Avirulent - lacking disease producing ability
Bacteremia – the presence of bacteria in the blood
Bacteriology – the science that deals with bacteria
Balanitis – inflammation of the glans (foreskin and head of the penis)
Blepharitis – inflammation of the edges of the eyelids involving hair follicles
Buboes – enlarged regional lymph nodes
Carbuncle - ulcerated lesion with a hardened border and pus draining (more severe)
Catabolism - the set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units and release energy.
Catalyst – a substance that alters the speed of a chemical reaction without itself being changed in the process (enzymes are a biological catalyst)
Catarrhal - inflammation of the mucus membrane
Cellulitis – inflammation of the cellular or connective tissues
Cervicitis – inflammation of the cervix
Coryza – upper respiratory tract infection (head cold).
Cystitis – inflammation of the bladder
Desiccation – drying, or removal of water
Dimorphic – occurring in two forms; characteristic of certain fungi, growing in the years formunder one set of conditions and the filamentous form under other conditions.
Disease – any changes from a state of health; interruption in the normal functioning of the organism
Disinfectant – a chemical agent that destroys disease organisms; used on inanimate objects
Dyspnea – difficulty in breathing
Edema – swelling
Encephalitis – inflammation of the brain
Endemic – a disease that occurs at a relatively stable frequency within a given area or population
Endocarditis – inflammation of the lining of the heart
Endometritis – inflammation of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus)
Empyema – pus in the pleural cavity
Enteric – relating to the intestinal tract
Epidemic – a disease that occurs at a greater than normal frequency for a given area or population
Etiology – the cause of disease
Exudate – fluid, often formed from elements of the blood, discharged from tissues to a cavity
Flora – organisms typically found in a given environment
Fomites - inanimate objects contaminated with pathogenic organisms
Furuncle – localized, inflamed area which develops soft centers and eventually discharges pus
Gonorrhea – a specific contagious catarrhal inflammation of the genital mucous membranes, sexually transmitted
Healthy carrier – a person who harbors and spreads pathogenic microorganisms without evidence of disease
Host – an organism which supports a parasite
Infection – invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
Ischemic – local deficiency of blood due to stoppage of circulation
Lethal – the capacity to cause death
Macula – a discolored spot on the skin that is not elevated above the surface
Meningitis – inflammation of the membranes (meninges) of the spinal cord or brain
Moribund – in a dying condition
Morphology – the science or study of form and structure
Mycology – the study of fungi
Nephritis – inflammation of the kidney
Normal flora – microorganisms that have become established in a given area
Osteomyelitis – inflammation of the bone and or bone marrow
Pandemic – the occurrence of an epidemic on more than one continent simultaneously
Parasite – an organism which lives on or within a living host from which it derives its nourishment
Pathogenesis – the mechanism by which the disease is caused
Pneumonia – inflammation of the alveoli of the lungs with exudate filling the alveolar spaces
Prostration – total exhaustion
Pustule – small elevated skin lesion containing pus
Pyelitis – inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney (the funnel-like structure leading to the ureter)
Pyelonephritis – inflammation of the kidney and its pelvis
Serology – systematic study of blood sera
Somatic – associated with the cell body of the organism
Sporadic – a disease that occurs in only a few scattered cases within a given area of a population during a given period of time.
Sterilization – killing of all forms of life in a given area
Suppuration – pus formation
Vaginitis- inflammation of the vagina
Virulence - the degree of pathogenicity, as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host.