Pathogens
An infectious agent which can cause disease or illness to its host is called a pathogen.
There are different types of Pathogen. Three of the most common are Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi.
| Pathogen |
Example |
Typical Effect |
| Bacteria |
Escherichia Coli |
Urinary Tract Infection. Foodborne illness, Peritonitis. |
| |
Staphylococcus Aureus |
Toxic Shock Syndrome |
| |
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa |
Infection of the bladder lungs and bloodstream. High resistance to antibiotics. |
| |
Enterococcus Hirae |
Wound infections. High resistance to antibiotics. |
| |
MRSA. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus |
Skin bacterium resistant to a range of antibiotics.Varies to the part of the body which is infected. |
| |
C.A. MRSA Community Acquired MRSA |
Results in serious skin and soft tissue infections in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently in hospital or undergone invasive medical procedures. |
| |
Difference between the two types of MRSA is thst the community form possesses a potent toxin which attacks infection-fighting white blood cells called leukocytes. The most serious form of CA-MRSA infection causes necrotizing fasciitis, a severe, rapidly progressing and life threatening skin infection. CA-MRSA are genetically distinguishable from hospital associated MRSA. |
| |
VRE Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus |
Enterococci are resistant to many antibiotics. They result inurinary infections,septicemiapelvic infections and in rare cases meningitis. |
| |
Clostridium Difficile |
Damage to the intestine,diarrhoea, dehydration and perforation of the intestine (hole). |
| |
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| Viruses |
Norovirus |
Gastroenteritis. |
| |
Adenovirus 5 |
DNA viruses cause upper respiratory tract infections. |
| |
Hepatitis C |
Liver disease. |
| |
Polio (Poliomyelitis) |
Muscle paralysis.Respiratory difficulty. |
| |
Influenza AH1N1 (Swine) |
Death in high risk groups (asthma,diabetes, heart diseaseand those with a weakenedimmune system) |
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| Fungi |
Candida Albicans |
Candidiasis or thrush. This is a fungal infection such as oral thrush, can be treated but if left untreated in certain conditions can be fatal. |
| |
Aspergillus Niger |
If spores inhaled can cause serious lung disease. Also causes ear infections which if severe enough can damage the ear cana |
