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Chapter 10

Epidemiology

Book Version 6
By Boundless
Boundless Microbiology
Microbiology
by Boundless
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Section 1
Principles of Epidemiology
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History of Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.

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The Science of Epidemiology

Epidemiological studies include disease etiology, disease surveillance and screening, biomonitoring, and clinical trials.

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The Vocabulary Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in set populations.

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Koch's Postulates

Koch's postulates are four criteria designed in the 1880's to establish a causal relationship between a causative microbe and a disease.

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Exceptions to Koch's Postulates

Even in Koch's time, it was recognized that infectious agents could be responsible for disease without fulfilling all of the postulates.

Section 2
Pathogen Identification
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Occurrence of a Disease

An occurrence of disease greater than would be expected at a particular time and place is called an outbreak.

Disease Severity and Duration

The severity and duration of diseases vary greatly and are important for epidemiological studies.

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Extent of Host Involvement

Host-pathogen interactions are the interactions taking place between a pathogen (e.g. virus, bacteria) and their host (e.g. humans, plants).

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Identification of Microbes Based on Molecular Genetics

Modern nucleic acid-based microbial detection methods make it possible to identify microbes that are associated with a disease.

Section 3
Disease Patterns
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Predisposing Factors

The spread and severity of infectious disease is influenced by many predisposing factors.

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Disease Development

After an pathogen invades a host, it undergoes a series of phases that eventually lead to multiplication of the pathogen.

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Disease Reservoirs and Epidemics

Once discovered, natural reservoirs elucidate the complete life cycle of infectious diseases, providing effective prevention and control.

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Infectious Disease Transmission

Defining the means of transmission of a pathogen is important in understanding its biology and in addressing the disease it causes.

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Ecology, Epidemiology, and Evolution of Pathogens

Pathogens have evolved to adapt to their environment and their host in order to survive.

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Safety in the Microbiology Laboratory

Working with microorganisms, especially pathogens, requires special equipment and safety practices.

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Finding Patient Zero and Tracking Diseases

The index case is identified in epidemiology studies by tracking down the infected patients to try to determine how the disease originated.

Section 4
Nosocomial Infections
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Microorganisms in the Hospital

Nosocomial infections can cause severe pneumonia and infections of the urinary tract, bloodstream, and other parts of the body.

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Compromised Host

Numerous risk factors in the hospital setting can predispose a patient to infection.

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Chain of Transmission

The most important and frequent mode of transmission of nosocomial infections is by direct contact.

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Control of Nosocomial Infections

Hospitals have sanitation protocols regarding uniforms, equipment sterilization, washing, and other preventive measures.

Section 5
Epidemiology and Public Health
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Descriptive Epidemiology

Descriptive epidemiology focuses on describing disease distribution by characteristics relating to time, place, and people.

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Analytical Epidemiology

Epidemiology draws statistical inferences, mostly about causes of disease in populations based on available samples of it.

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Experimental Epidemiology

Experimental epidemiology uses an experimental model to confirm a causal relationship suggested by observational studies.

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Public Health Measures for Disease Control

Promotion of hand washing, breastfeeding, delivery of vaccinations, and distribution of condoms are examples of public health measures.

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Global Health

Global health is the health of populations in a global context and transcends the perspectives and concerns of individual nations.

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Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases

An emerging infectious disease is a disease with a rate of incidence that has increased in the past 20 years, and could increase in the near future.

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Biological Weapons

Biological warfare (BW) is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents with the intent to kill or incapacitate.

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Technology and New Infectious Agents

Technology aids in the identification of new infectious agents, but it also contributes to the emergence of new diseases.

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Current Epidemics

An epidemic occurs when new cases of a disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed expectations.

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Viruses
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Epidemiology
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