Microbial Types

Meaning of microorganisms
Microorganisms are tiny living organisms that are too small to be seen with
the naked eye. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists. These
microorganisms are found everywhere in the environment, including in soil,
water, air, and even in our own bodies. While some microorganisms can
cause diseases, others play important roles in various processes such as
decomposition, nutrient cycling, and food production. Microorganisms are
essential for life on Earth and have a wide range of applications in
biotechnology, medicine, and industry.

Several microorganisms exist in different groups such as

● Viruses
● Bacteria
● Fungi
● Protozoa
● Algae
● Archaea, and others such as rickettsial etc

Various fields that deals with microorganisms;

The study of viruses is known as virology. Virology is a branch of
microbiology that deals with the study of viruses, including their structure,
function, classification, and interactions with host organisms.

The study of bacteria is known as bacteriology. Bacteriology is a branch of

microbiology that focuses on the study of bacteria, including their
morphology, physiology, genetics, ecology, and pathogenesis.

The study of fungi is known as mycology. Mycology is a branch of biology

that deals with the study of fungi, including their structure, function, ecology,
genetics, and evolution. Mycologists study a wide range of fungi, including
mushrooms, molds, yeasts, and other microscopic fungi
The study of protozoa is known as protozoology. Protozoology is a branch
of biology that focuses on the study of protists, which are single-celled
eukaryotic organisms that are neither plants, animals, nor fungi. Protozoa
are a diverse group of protists that include amoebas, ciliates, flagellates,
and sporozoans, among others

The study of algae is known as phycology. Phycology is a branch of

biology that focuses on the study of algae, which are a diverse group of
photosynthetic organisms that range from microscopic unicellular
organisms to large seaweeds.

The study of archaea is known as archaeology (not to be confused with

the archaeological study of human history). Archaea are a domain of
single-celled microorganisms that are distinct from bacteria and
eukaryotes. They are often found in extreme environments, such as hot
springs, highly saline lakes, and deep sea vents.

Viruses
Viruses are tiny, infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living
cells of other organisms. They are not considered to be alive because they
cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on their own. Viruses
consist of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein
coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have a lipid envelope.

Viruses can infect a wide range of organisms, including

● Bactria,( bacteriophages)
● Plants, (phyto viruses)
● Animals (veterinary viruses)
● Fungi (mycoviruses or mycophages)
● Protozoa (Protist viruses)
● Man…
They cause diseases such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19
in humans, and can also cause diseases in animals and plants.
Viruses work by attaching to a host cell, injecting their genetic material, and
hijacking the host cell's machinery to producej more copies of the virus.
The new virus particles then burst out of the host cell and infect other cells.

While viruses are known for causing disease, they also play important roles
in ecosystems and have been used in biotechnology for things like gene
therapy and vaccine development.

Viruses Affecting Man

Viruses affecting the skin is called cutaneous or dermatotropic
viruses. Thanks study is called dermatology, They include
-Human papillomavirus (HPV): A common virus that can cause warts on
the skin and mucous membranes, as well as certain types of skin and
genital cancers.
- Molluscum contagiosum virus: A poxvirus that causes small, raised
lesions on the skin, often in children.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV): A common virus that causes cold sores
and genital herpes, both of which can cause painful lesions on the skin and
mucous membranes.
- Varicella-zoster virus (VZV): The virus that causes chickenpox and
shingles, both of which can cause rashes and blisters on the skin.
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV): A retrovirus associated with
adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, which can cause skin lesions in addition to
other symptoms.
Monkeypox, chicken pox, measles viruses, mons viruses,
rubella,polio, rabies etc.

These viruses are transmitted through various means, including direct

contact with an infected individual, sexual contact, or exposure to
contaminated objects and surfaces.

Viruses affecting the eye ( Neurotrophic viruses)

Herpes simplex virus (HSV): This virus can cause herpes keratitis, a
common cause of corneal blindness.
- Varicella-zoster virus (VZV): This virus can cause herpes zoster
ophthalmicus, which can lead to eye inflammation, vision loss, and
other complications.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This virus can cause retinitis, an
inflammation of the retina that can lead to vision loss.
- Adenoviruses: These viruses can cause conjunctivitis, also known
as pink eye.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): This virus can cause uveitis, an
inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye.
Yellow fever, dengue, kassala fever, Ebola etc
These viruses can be transmitted through various means, including
direct contact, respiratory droplets, or exposure to contaminated
objects or surfaces. Treatment depends on the specific virus and the
severity of the infection.

Viruses Affecting the Nose (Respiratory Viruses)

Rhinoviruses: These are the most common cause of the common
cold, which often causes symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose,
sneezing, and sore throat.
- Influenza viruses: These viruses cause the flu, which can cause
symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): This virus can cause respiratory
infections, especially in young children and older adults. It can cause
symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
- Coronaviruses: These viruses can cause a wide range of
respiratory infections, from the common cold to more severe illnesses
like SARS COVID 2 and COVID-19.

Respiratory viruses are typically transmitted through respiratory

droplets or direct contact with an infected person or contaminated
surfaces.
Neuropathic Viruses which are viruses that affect the nervous
system.

- Herpes simplex virus (HSV): This virus can cause encephalitis, a

rare but potentially life-threatening condition that involves inflammation
of the brain.
- Varicella-zoster virus (VZV): This virus can cause shingles, which
is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that can cause a painful rash
and nerve pain.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): This virus can cause neurological
complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, and Guillain-Barré
syndrome.
- West Nile virus (WNV): This virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and
can cause encephalitis, meningitis, and other neurological
complications.
- Rabies virus: This virus attacks the nervous system and is almost
always fatal once symptoms appear

Viruses that Affect the Blood

are typically referred to as hematological viruses or blood-borne
viruses.

- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): This virus attacks the

immune system and is the cause of AIDS. It is transmitted through
blood or other bodily fluids, such as semen or breast milk.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV): These viruses
cause liver inflammation and can lead to chronic liver disease, liver
cancer, and liver failure. They are transmitted through blood or other
bodily fluids.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This virus can cause anemia and other
blood disorders, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It is
typically transmitted through close contact with infected bodily fluids.
- West Nile virus (WNV): This virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and
can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, muscle aches,
headache, and a rash. In severe cases, it can cause encephalitis, a
condition that involves inflammation of the brain and can lead to
long-term neurological effects.
Lassa fever

Gastrointestinal Tract Viruses

Viruses that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are known as
enteric viruses or gastrointestinal viruses. These viruses can
cause a wide range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Some examples of enteric viruses
include:

- Norovirus: This virus is highly contagious and is the most common

cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. It is typically
transmitted through contaminated food, water, or close contact with an
infected person.
- Rotavirus: This virus is a common cause of severe diarrhea in
young children. It is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, typically
through contaminated food or water.
- Adenovirus: This virus can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever,
especially in children. It is transmitted through respiratory droplets or
close contact with an infected person.
- Astrovirus: This virus causes gastroenteritis, especially in young
children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. It is
transmitted through the fecal-oral route.
Hepatitis A, hepatitis C

Sexually Transmitted Viruses