Organisms that cause disease

• Pathogen


  microorganism that can cause disease
• 4 microorganisms :

  • bacteria
  • fungi
  • viruses
  • protoctista
• Tuberculosis - a disease that affects many parts of the body, killing the cells and tissues; the lungs are most often

  Bacterial meningitis - affected infection of the meninges - the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord; the membranes become swollen and may cause damage to the brain and nerves

  Bacteria :

  Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. Bovis
• Bacterial meningitis - infection of the meninges - the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord; the membranes become swollen and may cause damage to the brain and nerves

  Bacteria :

  Neisseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumonia
• Ring rot (in plants) - ring of decay in the vascular tissue of a potato tuber or tomato, accompanied by leaf wilting Bacterium : Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Sepedonicus
• HIV/AIDS - attacks cells in the immune system and compromises the immune response

  virus : human immunodeficiency virus
• Influenza - attacks respiratory system and causes muscle pains and headaches

  virus : from family Orthomyxoviridae - ‘flu’ viruses
• Tobacco mosaic virus - causes mottling and discolouration of leaves

  virus : tobacco mosaic virus
• Black sigatoka (bananas) - causes leaf spots on banana plants reducing yield

  fungus : Mycosphaerella fijiensis
• Blight (tomatoes and potatoes) - affects both leaves and potato tubers

  protoctistan : Phytophthora infestans
• Ringworm (cattle) - growth of fungus in skin with spore cases erupting through skin to cause a rash

  fungus : Trichophyton verrucosum
• Athlete's foot (humans) - growth under skin of feet - particularly between the toes

  fungus : Trichophyton rubrum
• Malaria - parasite in the blood that causes headache and fever and may progress to coma and death protoctistan : Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae