Flashcards: Fundamentals of Infectious Disease and Antibiotics — 20 cards

Infectious Disease — definition?

Illness caused by pathogens like viruses or bacteria.

Pathogen — role?

Microorganism causing disease in hosts.

Transmission — mechanisms?

Contact, ingestion, droplets, vectors.

Contagious disease — transmission?

Spread directly or indirectly between people.

Empiric therapy — purpose?

Start broad antibiotics before pathogen ID.

Antibiogram — use?

Guides empiric antibiotic choices.

Resistance — cause?

Bacteria grow despite antibiotics due to various mechanisms.

Beta-lactamases — function?

Enzymes degrading beta-lactam antibiotics.

Bacterial pathogen — example?

*Streptococcus pneumoniae* or *E. coli*.

Spectrum — broad vs narrow?

Range of bacteria an antibiotic targets.

Pharmacokinetics — study of?

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion.

Time-dependent killing — antibiotics?

Beta-lactams require levels above MIC for a time.

MIC — meaning?

Lowest antibiotic concentration inhibiting growth.

De-escalation — process?

Narrow therapy after culture results.

Resistance mechanism — example?

Efflux pumps removing antibiotics.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria — example?

MRSA, ESBL producers.

Transmission — key prevention?

Hygiene, sanitation, vector control.

Empiric therapy — initial choice?

Based on infection site and local patterns.

Targeted therapy — after?

Based on culture and susceptibility data.

Special antibiotic — consideration?

Toxicity, monitoring, resistance risk.