Chapter 37.1, Problem 3MI

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The definition of term infectious disease, pathogen, Koch’s postulate, reservoir, endemic disease, epidemic, pandemic, and antibiotic.

Explanation of Solution

Infectious disease: It is a disease which is caused by an infectious microbe that is capable of spreading from person to other. The spread of infection can be direct from one human to another or can be indirect through a vector.

Pathogen: A pathogen is defined as a microbe or an infectious agent which is capable causing a disease. Some examples of the pathogens are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and prions.

Koch’s postulate: According to the Kosh’s postulate describe the conditions, in which a bacterium can be considered as a possible pathogen for a particular disease.

Following are the conditions of Kosh’s postulates:

1. The infectious bacteria should be present in all individuals having a specific disease.
2. The bacteria must be grown in pure culture and should be isolated from one host only.
3. The disease must be reproduced when a culture of pure bacterium is inoculated into a susceptible host.

Reservoir: It is an organism, in which the infectious agent or a pathogen can live, grow, multiply and can be transmitted indirectly or directly to the host from there. A reservoir can be living (such as animals) or nonliving (water).

Endemic disease: An endemic disease is defined as a disease, which is native to or confined to a particular population or a geographical region. It is not widespread and occur in specific environmental conditions.

Epidemic: An endemic is a condition, in which a disease is spread withing multiple communities in a particular geographical area. It is characterized by rapid spread of infection in a particular region.

Pandemic: A pandemic is a widespread epidemic, in which people of multiple regions across the globe are infected. It is characterized by rapid spread of infection in a larger area.

Antibiotic: Antibiotics are a set of chemicals, which can prevent the growth of bacteria, either by killing the bacteria or slowing down the growth. They are widely used to treat the bacterial infection.