Chronic disease

Definition

A chronic disease is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured and typically persists for more than three months. In the context of microbiology, these diseases often involve microbial mechanisms that evade the host's immune system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chronic diseases often result from persistent infections where microbes evade or suppress the host's immune response.
2. Pathogens associated with chronic diseases can alter their surface antigens to avoid detection by the immune system.
3. Biofilm formation is a common strategy used by microbes in chronic infections to resist antibiotics and host defenses.
4. Latent infections, such as those caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can become chronic when the pathogen remains dormant within host tissues.
5. Chronic diseases can lead to prolonged inflammation and tissue damage due to ongoing host-pathogen interactions.

Review Questions

Related terms

Pathogenicity:

The ability of a microorganism to cause disease.

Biofilm:

A complex aggregation of microorganisms marked by the excretion of a protective and adhesive matrix.

Latency:

A state where a pathogen remains inactive within a host but can reactivate under certain conditions.