Pathogens - Page 3

Pestivirus: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

The genus Pestivirus includes several viruses from the Flaviviridae family. These viruses are specialized for mammals. Pestiviruses infect cattle and pigs in particular, causing serious diseases in them, sometimes resulting in considerable economic damage. What are pestiviruses? Viruses of the genus Pestivirus, like all Flaviviridae, are single-stranded RNA viruses. Their viral envelope consists of the … Pestivirus: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Campylobacter: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Campylobacter is the name given to a bacterial genus belonging to the division Proteobacteria and family Campylobacteraceae. The genus contains pathogenic bacteria in addition to species that inhabit the intestine as commensals. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are considered the causative agents of Campylobacter enteritis. What are campylobacters? Within the bacterial division Proteobacteria and the … Campylobacter: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Oncoviruses: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

After infection with oncoviruses, the risk of developing certain forms of cancer increases. Such cancer-causing viruses are the cause of disease in about 10% to 20% of all cancers. Many oncoviruses are well known and well described to science. What are oncoviruses? Viruses are infectious particles that reproduce and are subject to the rules of … Oncoviruses: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Mycoplasmataceae: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Mycoplasmataceae is the familial superorder of the bacterial genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. It is a series of bacterial species that are notable for their lack of a cell wall and pleomorphic shape. What are Mycoplasmataceae? The family Mycoplasmataceae belongs to the class Mollicutes and the order Mycoplasmatales. Mycoplasmataceae is the only family in the order … Mycoplasmataceae: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Elizabethkingia: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Elizabethkingia is a Gram-negative bacterium in the Flavobacteria family. The bacterium, like the multitude of other species of Flavobacteria, is almost ubiquitous in soils and in water bodies. Occasionally, the species Elizabethkingia meningoseptica occurs as a causative agent of meningitis in premature infants, babies and young children. Since November 2015, a mysterious wave of infection … Elizabethkingia: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Malassezia Furfur: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Malassezia furfur is a yeast fungus that occurs in the natural skin flora of almost everyone. The microorganism does not normally harm its host, but in some circumstances it can multiply greatly and then causes inflammatory reactions of the skin, such as redness and scaling, which in certain cases are paired with itching. What is … Malassezia Furfur: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Ascomycota: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Ascomycota is another name for tubular fungi, which come in very different forms. They are found in almost all habitats and their range moves from being very useful (for making food such as bread, beer, wine, etc.) to being valuable and tasty edible fungi (such as truffles and morels) to causing serious infectious diseases, such … Ascomycota: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Vibrio: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Bacteria of the genus Vibrio belong to the gram-negative bacteria. Most bacteria of this species live in water. A well-known pathogen in the family is Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera. What are Vibrio bacteria? Bacteria of the genus Vibrio are also called vibrions. Vibrions are gram-negative bacteria. They can be stained red in … Vibrio: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Diplococci: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Diplococci are bacteria that are visible as paired spheres under the microscope. They belong to the streptococcus family and can cause various diseases in humans. What are diplococci? Diplococci are a form of cocci. Cocci, in turn, are spherical bacteria that can be completely round or egg-shaped. Cocci are recognized in medical terminology by the … Diplococci: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Polyomaviridae: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Polyomaviridae are a group of DNA viruses without a viral envelope that have a genetic material of DNA and contain a capsid of more than 70 capsomeres. The genus includes viruses such as the human polyomavirus or the BK and JC viruses. Especially da BK virus has now strongly adapted to humans as hosts. What … Polyomaviridae: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

BK Virus: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

BK virus is a polyomavirus. These describe a group of naked virus particles with a DNA genome. The virus is found throughout the world and almost everyone has contracted the virus, as it is usually transmitted in childhood and persists throughout life. The virus is the causative agent of polyomavirus nephropathy, or PVN. What is … BK Virus: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Varicella Zoster Virus: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of the DNA virus forms. Chickenpox and shingles can be caused by it. VZV is a herpes virus. What is varicella-zoster virus? Humans are the only natural hosts of these herpes viruses. They have a worldwide distribution. The varicella-zoster virus is enveloped in a membrane. This membrane contains a double-stranded … Varicella Zoster Virus: Infection, Transmission & Diseases