Objectives
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     1. Describe the basic properties of microorganisms,         0
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         including their natural habitat and mode of              
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         transmission.                                           g
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     2. List the most important "alert" microorganisms 
         causing HAIs.
     3. Explain the role of microbiology laboratory in 
         managing patients with infections.
     4. Explain the four roles of the microbiology 
         laboratory in the prevention and control of HAIs.
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    Time involved
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    • 60 minutes                                   0
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    Basic microbiology
     • Microorganisms are agents of infectious diseases        3
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     • They are ubiquitous in nature and in/on human           3
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       body                                                    u
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     • Most microorganisms harmless for humans 
       • Some can cause disease
     • Microorganisms are divided into 
       • Bacteria
       • Fungi
       • Viruses
       • Prions                                                4
       • Parasites 
     Pathogenesis of infection
     • When microbes find a new host and start to                 3
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       multiply  – called colonisation                            ,
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     • A balance can develop between colonised                    u
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       microbes and humans – will lead to ‘so called’             A
       normal flora
     • If microbe causes disease  – called an infection 
     • If source of microbe is patient’s own flora –called 
       an endogenous infection
     • If source of microbe is flora from outside the 
       patient’s body – called exogenous infection                5
     Microorganism Transmission
     • Spread to a new host from another human, animal             3
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       or environment                                              ,
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     • Transmission direct or indirect                             u
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     • Pathways of transmission could be                           A
        • Contact 
          • hands
          • surgical instruments
        • Contaminated surfaces or items (indirect contact)
        • Air
        • Water
        • Food                                                     6
        • Live vectors, e.g., mosquitos