VIRULENCE FACTORS OF MICROBES

OBJECTIVES OF THIS ARTICLE:  By the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to;

1)  Mention the most common infectious tools used by microbes

2)  Describe the reasons microbes can attack different body tissues

INTRODUCTION:  Different microbes are able to cause infections in various parts of the human body some of which are curable while others are not.  The possessions that aid a microbe to cause disease are the virulence factors.  These empowers the microbe to invade and destroy human body systems.  In this discussion, we are going to look at some of the most common virulence factors for different microbes that are responsible for their pathogenicity.  

1.  Hylonidase:  Withe aid of this enzyme, possessing microbes are able to digest soft tissues.  

2.  Catalase.  

3.  Spores:  Spores are the non vegetative forms of bacteria, that help the generations of bacteria to servive hash conditions.  When spore get access to the microbial requirements, they then regenerate to actual bacterial cells.  

4.  Extremely aggressive cell walls:  Some bacteria have cell walls that are impenetrable to drugs and chemical disinfectants.  The bacterial cell wall 

5.  Reverse transcription:  Reverse transcription is common with retroviruses.  Such viruses, are able to reverse the Central Dogma of microbiology.  Retroviruses

6.  Transform cellular DNA:  The ability of an organism to transform cellular DNA, enables it to stop the cell from dividing and subsequently induce cell death.  Cell death

RELATED;

1. GRAM POSITIVE COOCI

REFERENCES

CRANBERRY FOR URINARY SYSTEM HEALTH

Nearly everyone is familiar with the bright red cranberries that are eaten during holiday times. Native Americans used the colorful, ripe berries to treat wounds and to cure anorexia and for other digestive complaints. In the 1900s, it was noted that the acidity of the urine increases after eating cranberries; thus began the belief that cranberry juice is a natural cure for urinary tract infections. The herb is taken as juice or dried berries. Some individuals may prefer to take cranberry capsules, which are available at most retail pharmacies. Cranberry contains a significant amount of vitamin C and other antioxidants that can promote health. They contain a substance that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. It is important to note that cranberry should be taken to prevent, not treat, urinary tract infections. Cranberry is a safe supplement, although large amounts may cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset and diarrhea. The juice should be 100% cranberry and not “cocktail” juice because that contains sugar, which enhances bacteria growth and may be contraindicated in patients with diabetes.

RELATED;

1.  BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA  

2.  RENAL FAILURE

REFERENCES

BIOAVAILABILITY

Introduction:  This is the amount of drug that reaches systemic circulation following administration using any of the drug administration routes. Bioavailability gives the order whether the drug should be given intravenously, intramuscular, oral among others depending on the target tissue.  

It is normally expressed as a percentage of the drug reaching the systemic circulation in a given time t, to the total amount of the drug administered when time t=0.  The following should be noted as the three extremes when discussing bioavailability;  

1.  When a drug is administered through intravenous route, all of it reaches the systemic circulation and this means achieving 100% bioavailability, as long as it is not wasted by the the administrator.  Achieving 100% bioavailability is not only possible with IV route but also with Intramascular route and intradermal although the rate of drug deposition into blood may be slower.

Read more about intravenous drug administration 

2.  When a drug is taken topical, its bioavailability maybe less than 1% or even less, depending on the solubility of such a drug, and the drug administration techniques.  In fact some drugs are given that way because their access to circulation is not necessary.  Here we are looking at drugs such as ointments for topical use, creams for opthalamical applications and certain drugs applied on wounds.

Topical application of medications

3.  When a drug is administered through Gastrointestinal tract(GIT), its bioavailability will depend on various factors discussed earlier in drug distribution.

RELATED;

1.  PHARMACOKINETICS  

2.  DRUG DISTRIBUTION

3.  PHARMACODYNAMICS

4.  THE INTRAMASCULAR ROUTE OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION