Classification of the infection

diseases
Sorokhan V.D., MD, PhD
Bukovinian State Medical University
Department of the infectious diseases and
epidemiology
Microbiological Classification of Infectious
Diseases

Bacterial Gram-negative
Gram-positive
Viral DNA virus
RNA virus
Enveloped vs non-enveloped
Fungal Disseminated
Localized
Parasitic Protozoa
Helminths
Prion
Gram-negative bacteria
Gram-negative
bacteria are
those that are
stained red or
pink by Gram
staining
Gram-negative Pseudomonas
aeruginosa bacteria (pink-red rods)
Gram negative
Cocobacilli
H. Influenzae, B. Pertussis
Brucella spp., F. Tularensis
P. Multosida, L. pneumophila

Cocci
Neisseria spp.
Bacilli
N. Meningitidis
Glucose and
maltose +
N. Gonnorrhoeae
Glucose +
Lactose + Lactose -
Slow fermenter
Citrobacter
Serratia
Fast fermenter
Klebsiella
E.Coli
Enterobacter
Oxidase +
V.Cholerae
P. aeruginosa
Strict anaerode
B. fragilis
Oxidase -
Urease
Y. Pestis
S. Dysenteriae
Salmonnela spp.
Urease +
P. Mirabilis
H. pylori
Gram-positive bacteria
Gram-positive bacteria
are those that are
stained dark blue or
violet by Gram staining.
This is in contrast to
Gram-negative
bacteria, which cannot
retain the crystal violet
stain, instead taking up
the counterstain
(safranin or fuchsine)
and appearing red or
pink.
Gram-positive Bacillus
anthracis bacteria (purple
rods) in cerebrospinal fluid
sample. The other cells are
white blood cells.
Gram positive
cocci
Bacilli, Corinebacterium
Clostridium, Listeria, Bacillus
Staphylococcus
catalase +
Streptococcus
catalase -
S. Aureus
Coagulase +
Coagulase -
-hemolytic

-hemolytic
S. Pneumoniae
S. Viridans
S. Mutans
-hemolytic
E. Faecalis
E. Faecium
S. Epidermis
Novobiocin
sensitive
S. Saprophyticus
Novobiocin
resistant
Group A
S. Piogenes
Group B
S.agalactiae
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Bordetella Bordetella
pertussis
Gram-
negative
Small
coccobacilli
Encapsulated aerobic
Borrelia Borrelia
burgdorferi
Gram-
negative, but
stains poorly
highly motile
Brucella Brucella abortus
Brucella canis
Brucella
melitensis
Brucella suis
Gram-
negative
Small
coccobacilli
Unencapsulated Aerobic
Campylobacter Campylobacter
jejuni
Gram-
negative
Curved, spiral,
or S-shaped
with single,
polar
flagellum
characteristic
darting
motion
microaerophilic
Basic laboratory characteristics
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Chlamydia and
Chlamydophila
Chlamydia
pneumoniae
Chlamydia
trachomatis
Chlamydophila
psittaci
(not Gram-
stained)
Small, round,
ovoid
motile Facultative or
strictly aerobic
Clostridium Clostridium
botulinum
Clostridium
difficile
Clostridium
perfringens
Clostridium
tetani
Gram-
positive
Large, blunt-
ended rods
mostly
motile
Obligate
anaerobic
Corynebacterium Corynebacterium
diphtheriae
Gram-
positive
(unevenly)
Small,
slender,
pleomorphic
rods
unencapsulated nonmotile Mostly
facultative
anaerobic
Enterococcus Enterococcus
faecalis
Enterococcus
faecium
Gram-
positive
Round to
ovoid
Facultative
Anaerobic
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Escherichia Escherichia coli Gram-
negative
Short rods Facultative
anaerobic
Francisella Francisella
tularensis
Gram-
negative
Small,
pleomorphic
coccobacillus
strictly aerobic
Haemophilus Haemophilus
influenzae
Gram-
negative
Ranging from
small
coccobacillus
to long,
slender
filaments
Helicobacter Helicobacter
pylori
Gram-
negative
Curved or
spiral rods
pultiple polar
flagella
rapid,
corkscrew
motility
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Legionella Legionella
pneumophila
Gram-
negative, but
stains poorly
Slender rod in
nature,
cocobacillary
in laboratory.
monotrichious
flagella
unencapsulated motile
Leptospira Leptospira
interrogans
Gram-
negative, but
stains poorly
Long, very
slender,
flexible,
spiral- or
corkscrew-
shaped rods
highly motile
Listeria Listeria
monocytogenes
Gram-
positive,
darkly
Slender, short
rods
Distinct
tumbling
motility in
liquid
medium
Mycobacterium Mycobacterium
leprae
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis
Mycobacterium
ulcerans
(none) Long, slender
rods
nonmotile aerobic
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Mycoplasma Mycoplasma
pneumoniae
(none) Plastic,
pleomorphic
Neisseria Neisseria
gonorrhoeae
Neisseria
meningitidis
Gram-
negative
Kidney bean-
shaped
aerobic
Pseudomonas Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
Gram-
negative
rods encapsulated motile Obligate aerobic
Rickettsia Rickettsia
rickettsii
Gram-
negative, but
stains poorly
Small, rod-like
coccobacillary
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Salmonella Salmonella typhi
Salmonella
typhimurium
Gram-
negative
Facultative
anaerobic
Shigella Shigella sonnei Gram-
negative
rods Facultative
anaerobic
Staphylococcus Staphylococcus
aureus
Staphylococcus
epidermidis
Staphylococcus
saprophyticus
Gram-
positive,
darkly
Round cocci Facultative
anaerobic
Streptococcus Streptococcus
agalactiae
Streptococcus
pneumoniae
Streptococcus
pyogenes
Gram-
positive
ovoid to
spherical
nonmotile Facultative
anaerobic
Genus Important
species
Gram
staining
Shape Capsulation Motility Respiration
Treponema Treponema
pallidum
Gram-
negative,
but stains
poorly
Long,
slender,
flexible,
spiral- or
corkscrew-
shaped rods
highly
motile
Vibrio Vibrio
cholerae
Gram-
negative
Short,
curved, rod-
shaped with
single polar
flagellum
rapidly
motile
Facultative
anaerobic
Yersinia Yersinia
pestis
Gram-
negative,
stains
bipolarly
Small rods encapsulated nonmotile Facultative
Anaerobe
Clinical characteristics
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Bacillus anthracis Contact with
sheep, goats and
horses
Inhalation or skin
penetration
through
abrasions of
spore-
contaminated
dust
Cutaneous
anthrax
Pulmonary
anthrax
Gastrointestinal
anthrax
In early infection:
Penicillin
Doxycycline
Ciprofloxacin
Anthrax
vaccine
autoclaving of
instruments
Large, grayish,
nonhemolytic
colonies with
irregular borders on
blood agar
Direct
immunofluorescence
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Bordetella
pertussis
Contact with
respiratory
droplets expelled
by infected
human hosts.
Whooping cough
Complications:
Secondary
bacterial
pneumonia
Macrolide
antibiotics
Azithromycin
Erythromycin
Clarithromycin
Pertussis
vaccine, DPT
vaccine
Direct
immunofluorescence
PCR amplification
Borrelia
burgdorferi
Ixodes ticks
reservoir in deer,
mice and other
rodents
Lyme disease Early stages:
cephalosporins
amoxicillin
doxycycline
If arthritic
symptoms have
appeared:
Longer courses
of antibiotics
Lyme vaccine
wearing
clothing that
limits skin
exposure to
ticks
insect
repellent
Microscopy using
Giemsa or Wright
stain
PCR
serology (low
precision rate)
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Brucella abortus
Brucella canis
Brucella
melitensis
Brucella suis
Direct contact
with infected
animal
Oral, by ingestion
of unpasteurized
milk or milk
products
Brucellosis Combination
therapy of:
doxycycline
streptomycin or
gentamicin
Culture (difficult
and time
consuming)
Agglutination
serology
Campylobacter
jejuni
Fecal/oral from
animals
(mammals and
fowl)
Contaminated
meat (especially
poultry)
Contaminated
water
Acute enteritis Symptomatically
by fluid and
electrolyte
replacement
Ciprofloxacin in
severe cases
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Chlamydia
pneumoniae
Respiratory
droplets
Community-
acquired
respiratory
infection
Doxycycline
Erythromycin
None None for routine use
Chlamydia
trachomatis
Sexual (NGU,
LGV)
Direct or
contaminated
surfaces and flies
(trachoma)
Passage through
birth canal (ICN)
Nongonococcal
urethritis (NGU)
Lymphogranulom
a venereum
(LGV)
Trachoma
Inclusion
conjunctivitis of
the newborn
(ICN)
Azithromycin
Erythromycin
Tetracyclines
Doxycycline
No vaccine
Erythromycin
or silver
nitrate in
newborn's
eyes
Safe sex
Cellular cytoplasmic
inclusions by
immunofluorescence
DNA hybridization
ELISA for
lipopolysaccharides
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Chlamydophila
psittaci
Inhalation of
dust with
secretions or
feces from birds
(e.g. parrots)
Psittacosis Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Erythromycin
(less efficient)
Rise in antibody titre
Complement fixation
indirect
immunofluorescence
Clostridium
botulinum
Spores from soil
and aquatic
sediments
contaminating
vegetables, meat
and fish
Botulism Antitoxin (horse
antiserum)
Proper food
preservation
techniques
Mouse inoculation
detects toxin from
food, intestinal
contents or serum
Culture in standard
aerobic culture
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Clostridium
difficile
Spores both
indoors and
outdoors
Human flora,
overgrowing
when other flora
is depleted
Pseudomembran
ous colitis
Discontinuing
predisposing
antibiotic
Fluid and
electrolyte
replacement
Vancomycin or
metronidazole if
severe
None ELISA for Toxin
ELISA for toxin A or
B
Endoscopy for
pseudomembrane
Clostridium
perfringens
Spores in soil
Human flora in
vagina and GI
tract
Gas gangrene
Acute food
poisoning
Anaerobic
cellulitis
Food poisoning:
Self-limiting;
Supportive care
is sufficient
Appropriate
food handling
Microscopically
Blood agar culture,
forming double-zone
-hemolysis
Sugar fermentation
Organic acid
production
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Clostridium tetani Spores in soil
infecting
puncture
wounds, severe
burns or surgery
Tetanus Tetanus immune
globulin
Horse antitoxin,
alternatively
Sedatives
Muscle relaxants
Mechanical
ventilation
DPT vaccine (difficult)
Corynebacterium
diphtheriae
Respiratory
droplets
Part of human
flora
Diphtheria Horse serum
antitoxin
Erythromycin
Penicillin
DPT vaccine no rapid)
Culture on
Tinsdale agar,
followed by
immunologic
precipitin
reaction
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Enterococcus
faecalis and
Enterococcus
faecium
Part of human
flora,
opportunistic or
entering through
GI tract or
urinary system
wounds
Nosocomial
infections
Penicillin and an
aminoglycoside
Vancomycin
Quinupristin and
dalfopristin
No vaccine
Hand washing
and other
nosocomial
prevention
Culture in 6.5%
NaCl
Can hydrolyze
esculin in
presence of bile
Escherichia coli
(generally)
Part of gut flora,
spreading
extraintestinally
or proliferating in
the GI tract
Urinary tract
infections
(UTI)
Diarrhea
Meningitis in
infants
UTI:
Co-trimoxazole
Fluoroquinolone,
e.g. ciprofloxacin
Meningitis:
Cephalosporin and
gentamicin
combination
Diarrhea:
Antibiotics above
shorten duration
Electrolyte and fluid
replacement
(no vaccine or
preventive drug)
Food and water
preparation
Hand washing
and disinfection

Culture on
MacConkey agar
and study
carbohydrate
fermentation
patterns: Lactose
fermentation
(most E. coli
strains). Gas
production in
glucose
fermentation
Mannitol
fermentation
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Francisella
tularensis
vector-borne by
anthropods
Infected wild or
domestic animals,
birds or house
pets
Tularemia Streptomycin
Gentamicin
Avoiding insect vectors
Precautions when
handling wild animals
or animal products
rarely cultured)
Serology
Haemophilus
influenzae
Droplet contact
Human flora of
e.g. upper
respiratory tract
Bacterial
meningitis
Upper
respiratory tract
infections
Pneumonia,
bronchitis
Meningitis:
(resistance-tests
are required first)
Third generation
cephalosporin,
e.g. cefotaxime or
ceftriaxone
Ampicillin and
sulbactam
combination
Hib vaccine to infants
Rifampin
prophylactically
Culture on chocolate
agar with hemin
(factor X) and NAD+
(factor V)
Quellung reaction
Immunofluorescence
staining of capsule
Detection of capsular
antigen in CSF or
other body fluids
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory diagnosis
Helicobacter
pylori
Colonizing
stomach
Unclear
person-to-
person
transmission
Peptic ulcer
Risk factor for
gastric
carcinoma and
gastric B-cell
lymphoma
Tetracycline,
metronidazole
and bismuth salt
combination
(No vaccine
or preventive
drug)
Microscopically Corkscrew
movement
Urease-positivity by
radioactively labeled urea
Serology by ELISA
Legionella
pneumophila
Droplet
contact, from
e.g. cooling
towers,
humidifiers, air
conditioners
and water
distribution
systems
Legionnaire's
Disease
Pontiac fever
Macrolides, e.g.
erythromycin or
azithromycin
Fluoroquinolones
(no vaccine or
preventive
drug)
Heating water
Culture from respiratory
secretions on buffered charcoal
yeast extract enriched with L-
cysteine, iron and -
ketoglutarate
Serology, including direct
immunofluorescence and
radioimmunoassay for antigen
in urine
Hybridization to ribosomal RNA
using DNA probe
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Leptospira
interrogans
Food and water
contaminated
by e.g. urine
from wild or
domestic
animals.
Leptospira
survives for
weeks in
stagnant water
Leptospirosis Penicillin G
Tetracycline,
e.g.
doxycycline
(no vaccine)
Doxycycline
Prevention of
exposure
Rodent control
Dark-field microscopy
on fresh blood smear
(but doesn't stain
well)
Serologic
agglutionation tests
Listeria
monocytogenes
Dairy products,
ground meats,
poultry
Vertical to
newborn or
fetus
Listeriosis Ampicillin
Co-trimoxazole
(no vaccine)
Proper food
preparation and
handling
Isolation from e.g.
blood and CSF
Beta-hemolysis and
catalase production
on blood agar
Microscopy for
morphology and
motility
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Preventi
on
laboratory diagnosis
Mycobacterium
leprae
Prolonged
human-human
contact, e.g.
through
exudates from
skin lesions to
abrasion of
other person
Leprosy
(Hansen's
disease)
Tuberculoid form:
Dapsone and rifampin
Lepromatous form:
Clofazimine
BCG
vaccine
shows
some
effects
Tuberculoid form:
Hard to isolate (diagnosis
on clinical findings and
histology of biopsies)
Lepromatous form:
Acid-fast staining from
e.g. skin scrapings
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis
Droplet contact Tuberculosis Standard "short"
course:
First 2 months,
combination: Isoniazid
Rifampicin Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol
Further 4 months,
combination: Isoniazid
Rifampicin
BCG
vaccine
Isoniazid
Ziehl-Neelsen stain
showing acid-fast
bacteria
Hybridization probes for
DNA, succeeded by PCR
Culture on Lowenstein-
Jensen agar
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Mycoplasma
pneumoniae
Human flora
Droplet contact
Mycoplasma
pneumonia
Doxycycline and
erythromycin
(difficult to culture)
Serologic tests, e.g.
complement fixation
test
DNA probes on
sputum specimens
Neisseria
meningitidis
Respiratory
droplets
Meningococcal
disease including
meningitis
Waterhouse-
Friderichsen
syndrome
Penicillin G
Cefotaxime
Ceftriaxone
NmVac4-
A/C/Y/W-
135 vaccine
Rifampin
Microscopy showing
gram-negative
diplococci, often with
PMNs
Culture on chocolate
agar, giving positive
oxidase test and
fermentation of
glucose and maltose
in 5% CO2 in air
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
Infects
damaged
tissues or
people with
reduced
immunity
Pseudomonas infection
Localized to eye, ear,
skin, urinary,
respiratory or
gastrointestinal tract or
CNS, or systemic with
bacteremia, secondary
pneumonia bone and
joint infections,
endocarditis, skin, soft
tissue or CNS
infections.
Aminoglycoside
and anti-
pseudomonal -
lactam
(no vaccine)
Topical silver
sulfadiazine for
burn wounds
Colourless
colonies on
MacConkey agar.
Production of
pyocyanine and
fluorescein
Positive oxidase
test. No lactose
fermentation.
Rickettsia
rickettsii
Bite of infected
wood or dog
tick
Rocky mountain
spotted fever
Doxycycline
Chloramphenicol
no preventive
drug or approved
vaccine)
Vector control,
such as clothing
Prompt removal of
attached ticks
Serology
Immunofluoresce
nce against
Rickettsia
antigens
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Salmonella typhi Human-human
Fecal-oral
through food
or water
Typhoid fever
type
salmonellosis
(dysentery,
colitis)
Ceftriaxone
Fluoroquinolones,
e.g. ciprofloxacin
Ty21a and ViCPS
vaccines
Hygiene and
food preparation
Isolation from blood,
feces, bone marrow,
urine or rose spots on
skin
Colorless, non-lactose
fermenting colonies
on MacConkey agar
Serology for
antibodies against O
antigen
Salmonella
typhimurium
Fecal-oral
Food
contaminated
by fowl (e.g.
eggs), pets
and other
animals
Salmonellosis
with
gastroenteritis
and
enterocolitis
Fluid and
electrolyte
replacement for
severe diarrhea
Antibiotics (in
immunocompromi
sed to prevent
systemic spread)
(No vaccine or
preventive drug)
Proper sewage
disposal
Food preparation
Good personal
hygiene
Colourless colonies on
MacConkey agar
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species
Transmission
Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Shigella sonnei Fecal-oral
Flies
Contaminated
food or water
Bacillary
dysentery/Shigellosis
Ciprofloxacin or
azithromycin
Protection of
water and
food supplies
Vaccines are
in trial stage
Culture on
Hektoen agar or
other media for
intestinal
pathogens
Staphylococcus
aureus
Human flora
on mucosae
in e.g.
anterior nares
and vagina,
entering
through
wound
Coagulase-positive
staphylococcal infections:
Localized skin infections
Diffuse skin infection
(Impetigo)
Deep, localized infections
Acute infective endocarditis
Septicemia
Necrotizing pneumonia
Toxinoses Toxic shock
syndrome
Staphylococcal food
poisoning
Incision and
drainage of
localized lesions
Nafcillin and
oxacillin
Vancomycin for
Methicillin-
resistant
(MRSA)
(no vaccine or
preventive
drug)
Barrier
precautions,
washing
hands and
fomite
disinfection in
hospitals
Microscopy
showing strongly
positive Gram
stained cells in
grape-like clusters
Positive Catalase
test and
coagulase test
Culture on
enriched media
producing deep
yellow, hemolytic
colonies
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory diagnosis
Staphylococcus
epidermidis
Human flora in
skin and
anterior nares
Infections of
implanted
prostheses, e.g.
heart valves and
catheters
Vancomycin None Microscopy showing strongly
positive Gram stained cells in
grape-like clusters
Positive Catalase test but
negative coagulase test
Novobiocin-sensitivity (S.
epidermidis)
Novobiocin-resistance (S.
saprophyticus)
Culture on enriched media
producing white, nonhemolytic
colonies
Streptococcus
pneumoniae
Respiratory
droplets
Often human
flora in
nasopharynx
(spreading in
immunocompro
mised)
Acute bacterial
pneumonia &
meningitis in
adults
Otitis media and
sinusitis in
children
Penicillin G
Vancomycin
for resistant
strains
23-serotype
vaccine for
adults (PPV)
Heptavalent
conjugated
vaccine for
children (PCV)
Microscopy showing gram-
positive, encapsulated lancet-
shaped diplococci
-hemolysis on blood agar, bile-
soluble, optochin-sensitive
Positive Quellung reaction
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Streptococcus
pyogenes
Respiratory
droplets
Direct physical
contact with
impetigo lesions
Streptococcal
pharyngitis
Scarlet fever
Rheumatic fever
Impetigo and
erysipelas
Puerperal fever
Necrotizing
fasciitis
Penicillin G
Macrolide, e.g.
clarithromycin or
azithromycin in
penicillin allergy
Drainage and
debridement for
Necrotizing
fasciitis
No vaccine
Rapid antibiotic
treatment helps
prevent
rheumatic fever
Culture on sheep
blood agar
forming small,
opalescent
surrounded by
large zone of -
hemolysis
Serology for ASO
Very bacitracin-
sensitive
Vibrio cholerae Contaminated
water and food,
especially raw
seafood
Cholera Fluid and
electrolyte
replacement
e.g. doxycycline
to shorten
duration
Preventing fecal
contamination of
water supplies
and food
Adequate food
preparation
Culture on blood
or MacConkey
agar, enhanced
by TCBS
Positive oxidase
test
Species of human pathogenic bacteria
Species Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Yersinia pestis Fleas from
animals
Ingestion of
animal tissues
Respiratory
droplets
Plague:
Bubonic plague
Pneumonic
plague
Streptomycin
primarily
Gentamicin
Tetracyclin
Supportive
therapy for shock
Formalin-killed
plague vaccine
Minimize
exposure to
rodents and fleas
Gram-negative
smear
If pneumonic,
culture from
aspirate on
MacConkey or
blood agar
Comparison table of clinically important virus families and species
Family Baltimore
group
Important species envelopment Virion shape Replication
site
Adenoviridae dsDNA adenovirus non-enveloped icosahedral nucleus
Picornaviridae +ssRNA coxsackievirus, hepatitis A
virus, poliovirus, rhinovirus
non-enveloped icosahedral
Herpesviridae dsDNA Herpes simplex, type 1,
Herpes simplex, type 2,
Varicella-zoster virus,
Epstein-barr virus, Human
cytomegalovirus, Human
herpesvirus, type 8
enveloped nucleus
Hepadnaviridae dsDNA and
ssDNA
Hepatitis B virus enveloped icosahedral nucleus
Flaviviridae +ssRNA Hepatitis C virus, yellow
fever virus, dengue virus,
West Nile virus
enveloped icosahedral
Retroviridae +ssRNA Human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV)
enveloped
Comparison table of clinically important virus families and species
Family Baltimore
group
Important species envelopment Virion shape Replication
site
Orthomyxoviridae -ssRNA Influenza virus enveloped spherical nucleus
Paramyxoviridae -ssRNA Measles virus, Mumps virus,
Parainfluenza virus,
Respiratory syncytial virus,
Human metapneumovirus
enveloped spherical
Papillomaviridae dsDNA Human papillomavirus non-enveloped icosahedral nucleus
Rhabdoviridae -ssRNA Rabies virus enveloped helical, bullet
shaped
Togaviridae +ssRNA Rubella virus enveloped icosahedral
Parvoviridae ssDNA Human bocavirus, Parvovirus
B19
enveloped icosahedral
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ
substantially among species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
adenovirus adenoviridae droplet contact
(mainly)
fecal-oral
venereal
direct contact
(ocular
infections)
acute febrile
pharyngitis
pharyngoconjunctival
fever
epidemic
keratoconjunctivitis
infantile
gastroenteritis
None None virus
neutralization
hemagglutination
assay
ELISA
Coxsackievirus Picornaviridae fecal-oral,
droplet contact
Coxsackie infections None None Cell culture,
antibody
detection
Type Family
Transmission
Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Epstein-
Barr virus
Herpesviridae Saliva infectious
mononucleosis
Burkitt
lymphoma
None None Antibody detection
immunoflourescence
ELISA
Nucleic acid detection
Hepatitis
A virus
Picornaviridae fecal-oral acute hepatitis Immunoglobulin
(post-exposure
prophylaxis)
Vaccine
immunoglobulin
(post-exposure
prophylaxis)
avoid food-
contamination
antibody detection
Hepatitis
B virus
Hepadnaviridae All body fluids
(blood,
semen, saliva,
mother's milk
etc.)
acute hepatitis
chronic hepatitis
hepatic cirrhosis
hepatocellular
carcinoma
immunoglobulin
Adefovir
Entecavir
Pegylated
interferon alfa-2
Lamivudine
vaccine
immunoglobulin
(perinatal and
post-exposure
prophylaxis)
viral antigen detection
antibody detection
nucleic acid detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ
substantially among species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory diagnosis
Hepatitis C virus Flaviviridae blood
(sexual)
acute hepatitis
chronic hepatitis
hepatic cirrhosis
hepatocellular
carcinoma
Pegylated
interferon
alfa-2
Ribavirin
None antibody detection
nucleic acid
detection
Herpes simplex
virus, type 1
Herpesviridae direct contact
with saliva
and lesions
primary HSV-1
infection
(gingivostomatitis in
children, tonsillitis &
pharyngitis in
adults,
keratoconjunctivitis)
latent HSV-1
infection (herpes
labialis, cold sores)
acyclovir
famciclovir
foscarnet
penciclovir
None immunofluorescence
immunoperoxidase
nucleic acid
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatmen
t
Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Herpes simplex
virus, type 2
Herpesviridae sexually
birth
primary HSV-2
infection
latent HSV-2
infection
aseptic
meningitis
acyclovir
famciclovir
foscarnet
penciclovir
cidofovir
contact-
avoidance
with lesions
safe sex
cell culture
immunofluorescence
immunoperoxidase
nucleic acid
detection
cytomegalovirus Herpesviridae tears
urine
semen
saliva
vaginal
secretions
mother's milk
crosses
placenta
blood
infectious
mononucleosis
Cytomegalic
inclusion disease
ganciclovir
cidofovir
foscarnet
None antibody and nucleic
acid detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Human
herpesvirus,
type 8
Herpesviridae Kaposi sarcoma
multicentric
Castleman
disease
primary
effusion
lymphoma
many in
evaluation-
stage
None Nucleic acid
and antibody
detection
HIV Retroviridae sexual
blood
mother's milk
AIDS HAART zidovudine
(perinatally)
blood product
screening
safe sex
nucleic acid,
p24
antibody
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Influenza virus Orthomyxoviridae droplet contact influenza
(Reye
syndrome)
amantadine
rimantadine
zanamivir
oseltamivir
Influenza
vaccine
amantadine
rimantadine
Hemagglutination
assay
antigen detection
measles virus Paramyxoviridae droplet contact measles
postinfectious
encephalomye
litis
None MMR vaccine antibody
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Mumps virus Paramyxoviridae droplet contact Mumps None MMR vaccine antibody
detection
Human
papillomavirus
Papillomaviridae direct contact direct
contacthyperplastic
epithelial lesions
(common, flat,
plantar and
anogenital warts,
laryngeal papillomas,
epidermodysplasia
verruciformis) 55+
(hands/ feet) 30+
(anogenital/ some
are oral/ throat/
respiratory)
Malignancies for
some species
(cervical carcinoma,
squamous cell
carcinomas)

liquid nitrogen
laser
vaporization
cytotoxic
chemicals
interferon
cidofovir

HPV vaccine
wart tissue
avoidance
safe sex

Visual
inspection
Antigen
detection
Nucleic acid
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Influenza
virus
Orthomyxoviridae droplet contact influenza (Reye
syndrome)
amantadine
rimantadine
zanamivir
oseltamivir
Influenza
vaccine
amantadine
rimantadine
Hemagglutination
assay
antigen detection
measles
virus
Paramyxoviridae droplet contact measles
postinfectious
encephalomyelitis
None MMR vaccine antibody
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Parainfluenza
virus
Paramyxoviridae droplet contact croup
pneumonia
bronchiolitis
common cold
None None Antibody
detection
Parainfluenza
virus
Paramyxoviridae droplet contact croup
pneumonia
bronchiolitis
common cold
None None Antibody
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Poliovirus Picornaviridae fecal-oral Poliomyelitis None Polio vaccine Antibody
detection
Rabies
virus
Rhabdoviridae Animal bite
droplet
contact
Rabies Post-
exposure
prophylaxis
Pre- and
postexposure
prophylaxis
Histology
(postmortem)
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmis
sion
Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Respiratory
syncytial
virus
Paramyxoviridae droplet
contact,
hand-to-
mouth
bronchiolitis
pneumonia
influenza-
like
syndrome
severe
bronchiolitis
with
pneumonia
(ribavirin) hand-washing
avoidance
palivizumab in
high risk
individuals
antibody and
antigen
detection
Rubella virus Togaviridae droplet
contact
German
measles
congenital
rubella
None MMR vaccine Antibody
detection
The clinical characteristics of viruses may differ substantially among
species within the same family:
Type Family Transmission Diseases Treatment Prevention laboratory
diagnosis
Varicella-
zoster virus
Herpesvirida droplet contact Varicella
herpes zoster
Varicella:
acyclovir
famciclovir
valacyclovir
Zoster:
acyclovir
famciclovir
Varicella vaccine
varicella-zoster
immuneglobulin
Cell culture
antigen and
nucleic acid
detection
Mycosis
Mycosis is a condition in which fungi pass the
resistance barriers of the human or animal body
and establish infections. Mycoses can result
when the climate is hot and humid, and when
people live in crowded conditions. Some fungi
reproduce through tiny spores in the air. People
inhale those spores or they land on the skin.
Therefore, fungal infections often start in the
lungs or on the skin.
Disseminated fungal infections
Candida species are
important human
pathogens that are
best known for
causing opportunist
infections in
immunocompromised
hosts (e.g. transplant
patients, AIDS
sufferers, cancer
patients).
Candida albicans at 200X
magnification.

Disseminated fungal infections
Aerosolized
Aspergillus spores are
found nearly
everywhere so we are
routinely and almost
constantly exposed to
them.
Aspergillosis. H&E stain.
Disseminated fungal infections
Cryptococcus
neoformans can
cause a severe form
of meningitis and
meningo-encephalitis
in patients with HIV
infection and AIDS.
Cryptococcus. FNA specimen.
Field stain.
Disseminated fungal infections
Histoplasma
capsulatum can cause
histoplasmosis in
humans, dogs and
cats.
Histoplasmosis. PASD stain.
Disseminated fungal infections
Pneumocystis jirovecii
(or Pneumocystis
carinii) can cause a
form of pneumonia in
people with
weakened immune
systems, such as
premature children,
the elderly, and AIDS
patients.
P. jirovecii cysts in tissue
Protozoan infection
Examples of human
diseases caused by
protozoa:
Malaria
Amoebiasis
Giardiasis
Toxoplasmosis
Cryptosporidiosis
Trichomoniasis
Leishmaniasis
Sleeping Sickness
Dysentery

Leishmania donovani, (a species of
protozoa) in a bone marrow cell
Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica is
an anaerobic parasitic
protozoan, part of the
genus Entamoeba.
Predominantly infecting
humans and other
primates, E. histolytica is
estimated to infect about
50 million people
worldwide.
Entamoeba histolytica cyst
Gardiasis
Giardia lamblia
(synonymous with
Lamblia intestinalis
and Giardia
duodenalis) is a
flagellated protozoan
parasite that colonises
and reproduces in the
small intestine,
causing giardiasis.
Giardia cell, SEM
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a
parasitic disease caused by
the protozoan Toxoplasma
gondii. The parasite infects
most genera of warm-
blooded animals, including
humans, but the primary
host is the cat family.
Animals are infected by
eating infected meat, by
ingestion of feces of a cat
that has itself recently
been infected, or by
transmission from mother
to fetus.
T. gondii tachyzoites
Helminths
Parasitic worms or helminths are a division of
eukaryotic parasites that live inside their host.
They are worm-like organisms that live and feed
off living hosts, receiving nourishment and
protection while disrupting their hosts' nutrient
absorption, causing weakness and disease.
Those that live inside the digestive tract are
called intestinal parasites. They can live inside
humans as well as other animals. Approximately
3 billion people globally are infected with
helminths.
Categorization
Cestodes (tapeworms) Trematodes (flukes) Nematodes
(roundworms)
Shape Segmented plane Unsegmented plane Cylindrical
Attachment
organs
Sucker or bothridia, and
rostellum with hooks
Oral sucker and ventral
sucker or acetabulum
Lips, teeth, filariform
extremities, and
dentary plates
Example
diseases in
humans
Tapeworm infection Schistosomiasis, swimmer's
itch
Ascariasis,
dracunculiasis,
elephantiasis,
enterobiasis (pinworm),
filariasis, hookworm,
onchocerciasis,
trichinosis, trichuriasis
(whipworm)
Cestoda (Cestoidea)
Cestoda (Cestoidea) live
in the digestive tract of
vertebrates as adults, and
often in the bodies of
various animals as
juveniles. Several species
parasitise humans after
being consumed in
underprepared meat such
as pork (T. solium), beef
(T. saginata), fish
(Diphyllobothrium spp.),
poor hygiene
(Hymenolepis spp. or
Echinococcus spp.).
Scolex (head) of Taenia solium, a
tapeworm.
Tremotodes
Schistosomiasis is a
parasitic disease caused
by several species of
tremotodes ("flukes"), a
parasitic worm of the
genus Schistosoma. The
urinary form of
schistosomiasis is
associated with increased
risks for bladder cancer in
adults. Schistosomiasis is
the second most
socioeconomically
devastating parasitic
disease after malaria.
Skin vesicles on the forearm,
created by the penetration of
Schistosoma. Source: CDC

Nematodes
A pinworm infection or
enterobiasis is a human
parasitic disease and one
of the most common
childhood parasitic worm
infections in the
developed world. It is
caused by infestation
with the parasitic
roundworm Enterobius
vermicularis, commonly
called the human
pinworm.
Two pinworms
Prion
A proteinaceous infectious particle, or prion, is an
infectious agent composed primarily of protein, unlike
viruses which consist of two or three parts: a helical
molecule, protein coat and sometimes a viral wrapper.
Prions are the cause of a number of diseases in a
variety of mammals, including bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE, also known as "mad cow
disease") in cattle and CreutzfeldtJakob disease (CJD)
in humans. In general usage, prion refers to the
theoretical unit of infection. All known prion diseases
affect the structure of the brain or other neural tissue
and all are currently untreatable and universally fatal.
CreutzfeldtJakob disease
CreutzfeldtJakob
disease or CJD is a
degenerative neurological
disorder (brain disease)
that is incurable and
invariably fatal. It is the
most common among the
types of transmissible
spongiform
encephalopathy found in
humans.
Microscopic "holes" are
characteristic in prion-affected
tissue sections, causing the tissue
to develop a "spongy"
architecture.

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