Chapter 4: Inflammation and Infection

Diapedesis

(DYE-ah-pe-DEE-sis) passage of blood, or its formed elements, through the intact walls of blood vessels.

Exudate

(ECKS-you-dayt) fluid that has seeped out of tissue or capillaries because of injury or inflammation.

Empyema

(EM-pye-EE-mah) an accumulation of pus in a body cavity.

Fistula

(FIS-tyou-lah) a tract that connects two organs or cavities to each other or to the surface of the skin.

Hyperemia

(HIGH-per-EE-me-ah; hyper = increased, emia = blood) increased blood flow in response to a release of histamine.

Induration

(IN-dur-RAY-shun) hardened tissue.

Keloid

(KEE-loid) excessive collagen formation, often resulting in a hard, raised scar.

Lesion

(LEE-zhun) any discontinuity of tissue.

Pyogenic

(PYE-oh-JEN-ick; pyo = pus, genic = arising) pus forming.

Purulent

(PYOU-roo-lent) loaded with dead and dying neutrophils, tissue debris, and pyogenic (pus-forming) bacteria.

Cellulitis

(SELL-you-LYE-tis) inflammation of connective tissue.

Septicemia

(SEP-tih-SEE-me-ah; septic = dirty, contaminated, emia = blood) a systemic disease caused by the spread of microorganisms in the blood; also called blood poisoning.

Tachycardia

(TACH-ee-KAR-dee-ah; tachy = rapid, cardia = heart rate) a rapid heart rate; usually a rate over 100 beats per minute.

Virulent

(VIR-u-lent; poisonous, infectious) difficult to kill; able to produce disease.

Adhesion

(ad-HE-zhun) a fibrous band that results when parts of tissue cling to the surface of adjoining organs as normal fibrous scar tissue develops in an operative site.

Débridement

(day-breed-MENT) a process of washing or cutting away necrotic tissue and foreign material.

Dehiscence

(dee-HISS-ens) separation of tissue margins, as with a scar that does not have adequate strength.

Leukocytosis

(leuko = white, cyto = cell, osis = condition) an increase in white cell count.

Malaise

(ma-LAZE) general ill feeling.

Macrophage

(macro = large, phage = eat) a monocyte that leaves the bloodstream and moves into the tissue and becomes phagocytic.

Rickettsiae

(ric-KET-see-ah) microscopic organisms that are intermediate between bacteria and viruses. They live in the host and are spread by lice, fleas, ticks, and mites.

Ulcer

a crater-like lesion in the skin or mucous membranes.

Virus(es)

a large group of infectious agents; they are much smaller than bacteria and must be viewed with an electron microscope. They can pass through fine filters that would retain most bacteria.

Abscess

a localized collection of pus.

Bacteria

a one-celled microorganism that may be aerobic or anaerobic and free-living, saprophytic, parasitic, or pathogenic.

Protozoa

a parasite of the phylum Protozoa; a single-celled microscopic member of the animal kingdom.

Histamine

a substance that causes local arterioles, venules, and capillaries to dilate, resulting in an increase in blood flow to the area; released in response to injury or irritation.

Culture and sensitivity

a test to identify a pathogen and the type of treatment needed.

Sinus

a tract or opening to the surface of the body formed by a large ruptured abscess.

Any discontinuity of tissue is called a lesion. a. True b. False

a. True

Anyone taking a prescribed medication should always take ALL of the medication even if the symptoms stop. a. True b. False

a. True

Failure to complete antibiotic therapy can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. a. True b. False

a. True

Good hand washing is the best preventive measure against the common cold. a. True b. False

a. True

Inflammatory lesions include abscesses, ulcers, and cellulitis. a. True b. False

a. True

Steroid therapy inhibits the inflammatory response which can delay wound healing. a. True b. False

a. True

The best preventative measure for the common cold is handwashing. a. True b. False

a. True

Inflammatory lesions include ulcers, cellulitis, and _______________.

abscesses

Fibrous bands that develop as a complication of surgery are called _____________.

adhesions

Primary union

also called healing by first intention; involves approximating the edges of the wound.

Secondary union

also called healing by secondary intention; the same process as primary union, but involving a larger degree of tissue damage and more inflammation to resolve.

Mast cells

also called tissue histiocytes; found in all tissues of the body; play a major role in the inflammatory process.

A fistula is a crater-like lesion in the skin or mucous membrane. a. True b. False

b. False

Mitotic cells do not divide regularly but can be stimulated to divide when necessary. a. True b. False

b. False

Primary healing of tissue occurs in a disorderly fashion. a. True b. False

b. False

Yeast infection is another name for ___________.

candidiasis

Salmonella

causative bacteria organism of food poisoning

Herpes Simplex

cold sores

Separation of tissue margins during the healing process is called __________.

dehiscence

_______ tissue heals rapidly, compared to other tissue types.

epithelial

________ mitotic cells do not divide readily but can be stimulated to divide when needed.

facultative

Another name for scar formation is __________.

fibrous connective tissue repair

Fungi

forms of yeast and molds; microscopic plant-like organisms.

Histoplasmosis

fungal infection

When injured or irritated, our mast cells release ______________.

histamine

_________ is the nonspecific cellular and vascular reaction to tissue trauma.

inflammation

Helminths

intestinal parasites; also called worms; nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes.

Excessive collagen formation often results in a hard, raised scar called a _______.

keloid

An increase in the white cell count is called _________.

leukocytosis

_________ cells are also called tissue histiocytes

mast

_______ cells continuously divide throughout life.

mitotic

Influenza

mutating virus

Opportunistic

normal flora bacteria that take the "opportunity" to cause infection in the host.

Healing by first intention is also called _________.

primary union

Malaria

protozoa spread by mosquitos

A _______ infection can occur after the onset of another disease or condition.

secondary

___________ testing may be used to determine the presence of exposure to a pathogen like tuberculosis.

skin

Scar

skin lesion resulting from fibrous connective tissue repair.

Chemotaxis

the movement of cells or organisms in response to chemicals.

Inflammation is considered to be a normal response to ___________.

trauma

polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)

white cells with a nucleus that contains many lobes, also known as neutrophils

Pus

white or yellow exudate due to death of numerous neutrophils mixed with exudate or blood fluid.