Question

The study of Introduction to Microbiology showcases the enormous impact of microbes on living organisms and the environment at large. Based on your understanding, discuss five ways by which the human societal setting is impacted by microorganisms and microbiology on the whole

Explain any four ways that the knowledge acquired from introduction to microbiology can be applied in the current fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic raging havoc against the human population.

A Senior Nurse Practitioner, a local health project requires you to establish and ascertain the causative organism for the disease Buruli Ulcer in a given population. Provide a systematic and chronological blueprint of your plan to achieve this purpose.

Based on the knowledge acquired from this course, provide an astute linkage of Microbiology to all the other fields of the health profession that you studied in other courses during this semester.

Answer 1

Microorganisms are found in every natural component of earth.

1) Human lives are linked to microbes as they recycle key nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen, degrade organic matter and help in daily life.

2) Microbes are used fermentation in food processing and producing bread and wine.

3) Bioactive molecules like hormones and and enzymes are produced with the help of microorganisms which are widely used for used as medicines.

4) Fossil fuels like ethanol and methane are now manufactured using microbial activity.

5) Anaerobic microorganisms help in sewage treatment.

Hence, human society is greatly impacted by microbes and their activities.

Microbiology is a vital source of information to fight against COVID-19 pandemic:

1) The knowledge gained through the microbiology can help us to identify the physical and biological traits of the virus.

2) Analysis can be made as to how our body will respond to the corona virus. For example; by initially activating the innate immune system.

3) The reproduction of the virus can be studied and strategies to by initially activating the innate immune system can be made.

4) Understanding how a micro organism interacts with human body can aid in finding the possible treatment for the disease. Hence, it can help in manufacturing medicines and vaccines for COVID-19

Epidemiologic Steps for Investigation of an outbreak:

1) Prepare for field work

2) Establish the existence of an outbreak

3) Verify the diagnosis

4) Construct a working case definition

5) Find cases systematically and record information

6) Perform descriptive epidemiology

7) Develop hypotheses

8) Evaluate hypotheses epidemiologically

9) Reconsider, refine, and re-evaluate hypotheses

10) Compare and reconcile with laboratory and/or environmental studies

11) Communicate findings

Buruli ulcer is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. It is a chronic debilitating disease that mainly affects the skin and bones.

Microbiology can be linked to other fields of health profession :

Immunology: Microbiology helps a health care professional to understand the response of the immune system of a patient

Nursing: Identification of a person, who is at risk of being affected by any microbe can be estimated annd proper care can be give by a nursing professional.

Epidemiology: Epidemiologists use the branch of microbiology to monitor of infectious diseases and analyse the unusual occurrences of infections

Pharmacology and medical research: Microbiology contributes towards the field of research and development so that the medicines and vaccinations can be produced for various diseases caused by microorganisms.