Microbiology: An Introduction Plus Mastering Microbiology with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package (13th Edition) (What's New in Microbiology)
Microbiology: An Introduction Plus Mastering Microbiology with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package (13th Edition) (What's New in Microbiology)
13th Edition
ISBN: 9780134688640
Author: Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke, Christine L. Case, Derek Weber, Warner Bair
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 21, Problem 1R

Discuss the usual mode of entry of bacteria into the skin. Compare bacterial skin infections with infections caused by fungi and viruses with respect to mode of entry.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To review:

The mode of entry of bacteria into the skin; compare bacterial, viral, and fungal infections with respect to mode of entry

Introduction:

Bacterial infections often occur through cuts and openings on the skin surface. Fungal infections infect both the skin surface and subcutaneous tissue through skin openings. Viral infections occur both on the skin surface as well through the respiratory tract.

Explanation of Solution

Skin, being a protective layer, generally does not allow microbial colonization and infections due to the presence of natural antimicrobial substances and high salt concentrations. But microbes can enter through hair shafts, pores of sweat glands, or hair follicles to enter the deep mucosal surface. The skin microbiota contains high amounts of staphylococcus and micrococci species which makes it difficult for the pathogens to invade the skin layer. However, species belonging to staphylococci and streptococci cause the most common skin infections. Both genera produce invasive enzymes and skin damaging toxins to establish infections in the skin. Whenever the skin barrier is damaged, either through aberrations or invasive medical devices, it paves an entry for the normal flora to cause infections in the host.

The virus entry in to the cells requires breaching of the mucosal layer to establish viral replications and virus spread. The virus replication does not occur at the site of infection due to limited blood supply and lymphatic vessels. Viruses require vascularized dermis through bites of vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, sand flies, mites, and also through body piercing activities, and sexual contact with body fluids for deeper inoculation below the dermis layer. Warts, small pox, chicken pox, measles, and shingles are some of the common skin infections caused by viruses.

The fungal pathogens cause superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic infections. Dermatophytes are commonly associated with superficial skin infections. Skin trauma is the main cause for fungal entry to establish infections at the keratinized sites. They produce high amounts of keratinases which helps in the solubilisation of skin keratin for easy invasion. Common fungal pathogens in skin infections include Phaeoannellomyces werneckii, M. furfur, Trichosporon beigelii, and Piedraia hortae.

Conclusion

The skin serves as the largest protective organ of the human body. Pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, cause superficial to deep sub-mucosal infections; these are based on host factors as well as the factors related to the pathogen’s virulence. Each pathogen has a specific mode of entry and is responsible for pathogenesis.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Which of the following is the process that is "capable of destroying all forms of microbial life"? Question 37 options: Surgical scrub Sterilization Chemical removal Mechanical removal
After you feel comfortable with your counting method and identifying cells in the various stages of mitosis, use the four images below of whitefish blastula to count the cells in each stage until you reach 100 total cells, recording your data below in Data Table 1. (You may not need to use all four images. Stop counting when you reach 100 total cells.) After totaling the cells in each stage, calculate the percent of cells in each stage. (Divide total of stage by overall total of 100 and then multiply by 100 to obtain percentage.)   Data Table 1Stage    Totals    PercentInterphase        Mitosis:        Prophase        Metaphase        Anaphase        Telophase        Cytokinesis        Totals    100    100% To find the length of time whitefish blastula cells spend in each stage, multiply the percent (recorded as a decimal, in other words take the percent number and divide by 100) by 24 hours. (Example: If percent is 20%, then Time in Hours = .2 * 24 = 4.8) Record your data in Data…
What are Clathrin coated vesicles and what is their function?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...
Biology
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Surgical Tech For Surgical Tech Pos Care
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9781337648868
Author:Association
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Body Structures & Functions Updated
Biology
ISBN:9780357191606
Author:Scott
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Body Structures & Functions
Biology
ISBN:9781285695495
Author:Scott
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...
Nursing
ISBN:9781305964792
Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy Correa
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Curren'S Math For Meds: Dosages & Sol
Nursing
ISBN:9781305143531
Author:CURREN
Publisher:Cengage
12DaysinMarch, Genital Infections for USMLE Step One; Author: Howard Sachs;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66zR_FypVFQ;License: Standard youtube license