TEACHABLE MEDICAL NEWS

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Category: microbiology

Can we really get pneumonia just by inhaling water mist?

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On May 24, 2025

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, respiratory system

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. microbiology – Legionella bacterium
  2. lymphatic and immune system chapter – development and role of macrophages in immune defense
  3. respiratory system chapter – cells that make up the alveoli
  4. cellular basis of life chapter – functions of lysosomes

The news item:  Recently the following article appeared online:

3 dead in Legionnaire’s disease outbreak at New York assisted living facility

Since the discovery of Legionella bacteria at the Albany facility, 20 people have been hospitalized and three of those who tested positive have died.

The article states that at the time of the writing of the report 3 people have already died from Legionnaire’s disease in an assisted living facility, and that the infection likely spread to residents by them inhaling mist contaminated by the Legionella bacterium.

So, Why Do I Care??  While the name “Legionnaire’s disease” make it sound like it has an uncommon occurrence, but this bacterial infection, and the pneumonia it causes, is responsible for over 10,000 yearly hospitalizations in the USA. The bacterium specifically disables macrophages, so understanding how this happens may help us design pharmaceuticals or other interventions to help infected people, and to apply this knowledge to other disorders where macrophages have a role.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how macrophages are involved in the defense of our lungs. We find resident macrophages in the lumen of the cup-shaped, microscopic alveoli of the lungs. Macrophages there internalize, phagocytose, microorganisms that invaded the alveoli. The internalization brings the microbes into microscopic bubbles called phagosomes, and once that phagosome fuse with a lysosome full of acid and digestive enzymes, the microbes will be digested into their molecular components. To picture a macrophage in action, imagine a vacuum cleaner where the microbes are “internalized” into a vacuum cleaner bag (the phagosome) which would be merging with a zip-lock bag full of acid and digestive enzymes. Digesting viruses, bacteria, fungi keep the alveoli free of harmful microbes.

Second, let’s talk about how Legionella bacterium infects macrophages. Once inside the phagosome, the Legionella bacteria delay the fusion with the lysosome, and that delay gives enough time for the bacteria

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How can a drug like Descovy prevent infection by the human immunodeficiency virus?

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On September 23, 2023

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. immune system chapter – role of CD4 Helper T cells in adaptive immunity
  2. chemical basis of life – structural characteristics of DNA and RNA
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – transcription of DNA into RNA during protein synthesis
  4. microbiology – structure of the viral protein envelope of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

The news item:  Recently the following report appeared online:

U.S. FDA approves Gilead’s Descovy for HIV prevention

The approval does not include use of the drug by women to prevent HIV infection. Descovy, a combination drug, was approved in 2016 to treat people already infected with HIV. It contains a newer formulation of a drug used in Gilead’s older medication, Truvada, which has been used to treat people infected with HIV since 2004.

 

The article states that Descovy is a pharmaceutical approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis, the  prevention of HIV infection in men. Descovy was found to be less toxic to the kidneys and bones than  previous drugs used to treat HIV infected people.

So, Why Do I Care??  In the US alone there are over 1 million people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, and each year there are 30,000 – 40,000 new HIV infections. The new infections happen despite the already available preventative measures. Therefore, pharmaceutical prevention of new infections is still important.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how Descovy is expected to prevent infection by HIV in highly exposed individuals. The clinical definition of HIV infection is that the HIV virus should be detectable in human bodily fluids. For HIV virus to appear in the blood or in other bodily fluids, the infected cells must make a swarm of new HIV viruses to spread through the body and enter into the blood and other bodily fluids. The ingredients of Descovy promise to prevent the cells from making new viruses, so there will be no swarm of new HIV viruses, there will not be enough viruses to spread through the body, so HIV viruses never enter bodily fluids. Therefore, even in people frequently exposed to the HIV virus the blood testing doesn’t find any HIV, and the person remains clinically uninfected, remains HIV-negative. This prevention of infection is called “pre-exposure prophylaxis”. An HIV-negative person cannot spread the virus to other people, so the number of new HIV infections are reduced.

Second, let’s talk about the ingredients of Descovy. Both active ingredients (emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide) are inhibitors of the enzyme called reverse transcriptase of the HIV virus. That enzyme is

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How does the antiviral drug Paxlovid fight the Sars-CoV-2 corona virus

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On March 16, 2023

In cellular basis of life, microbiology, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 03172023

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – proteins can be cut by hydrolysis using proteases
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – transmembrane proteins can serve as receptors
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – RNA is translated into proteins on ribosomes
  4. microbiology – lifecycle of RNA viruses

The news item:  Recently this news appeared online

 

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jul/23/bidens-health-improving-after-second-day-paxlovid-/

The article states that President Biden received Paxlovid treatment after his diagnosis of COVID infection. The article doesn’t explain anything about Paxlovid itself.

So, Why Do I Care??  At the time of writing this blog post the number of COVID infections numbered 765 million with 6.78 million deaths worldwide.  There is a small number of people (less than 1% of infections) who suffer serious health consequences, and even die because of this virus. Early intervention, such as the use of oral antiviral drugs is a promising way to prevent the development of serious illness.  The way Paxlovid acts may provide a template on how antiviral drugs may treat other virus-borne illnesses.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about why corona viruses can cause so much damage to our bodies. Corona viruses is an organism that can not multiply without a cell hosting it. In order to multiply, corona viruses hijack the RNA making and the protein-making capacities of the host cell.  Viral hijacking means that the host cell can not make RNA and proteins for the host’s own use, and the host cell dies as a consequence of the infection. Therefore, the main direct damage from corona virus infection is the killing of our own cells.

Second, let’s talk about how Sars-CoV-2 hijacks cells. Once a corona virus enters a living host cell, the long RNA of the virus snatches the ribosomes of the host cell, and is transcribed into a long, viral

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Why bacterial contamination of baby formula is life threatening for infants?

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On September 29, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, nervous system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 09292022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – linker proteins in the plasma membrane form tight junctions
  2. tissue chapter – tight junctions of epithelial cells prevent movement of pathogens between the cells
  3. immune system chapter – reliance of white blood cells for immune functions
  4. brain chapter – the brain is covered by meninges inside the cranial cavity
  5. microbiology – the pathogen bacterium Chronobacter sakazakii

The news item:  Recently a news report appeared about contaminated baby formula:

FDA says maker of powdered infant formula didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated | CNN

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the company running a plant at the center of a baby formula recall didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated during manufacturing, according to a preliminary report filed this month.

The article states that Chronobacter sakazakii bacterium caused death of two infants who used baby formula contaminated with the bacterium.

So, Why Do I Care??  While adults can easily defeat a bacterial infection, the bodies of infants are very vulnerable to such infection.  Because the immune system of infants is naturally weak, powdered infant formulas must be free of bacterial contamination. If bacteria are in the infant formula, then the infants are exposed to life threatening infection.  The number of infections is about 15 infants each year, but one-fourth of the infants die from the infection.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about what a Chronobacterium is. This is a very common bacterium in environment, present on many surfaces and in food items. The well-trained immune system of adults can fight off this bacterium, but the not-yet-fully developed immune system of infants has a

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What is the anatomy and physiology behind Justin Bieber’s facial paralysis?

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On July 24, 2022

In microbiology, muscular system, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 07252022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. skeletal muscle chapter –functioning of skeletal muscles depend on neuromuscular junction
  2. brain anatomy chapter – anatomy and function of cranial nerve VII
  3. muscular system chapter – actions of muscles of facial expression
  4. microbiology – viruses need to enter human cells

The news item:  A news report appeared recently:

Justin Bieber’s wife Hailey gives update after Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis: ‘Getting better every day’

Justin Bieber has canceled several tour dates due to his Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis. Here’s what we know about his recovery, concert plans.

The article stated that Justin Bieber is suffering from type II Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. This is caused by an activation of the Herpes Zoster virus (causes the disease called shingles) that causes paralysis of the facial muscles, and prevents blinking or smiling on one side of the face.

So, Why Do I Care  While it is true that facial paralysis is not a deadly disorder (and only 0.5% of shingles patients develop it), but understanding how it comes about can be useful.  Because facial paralysis gives unusual changes to one’s facial expressions, the symptom is highly visible.  That highly visible nature makes facial paralysis an early warning sign of strokes or trauma to cranial nerves, disorders that are serious malfunctions of the our nervous system.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about what paralysis is. The loss of movement of body part or parts is defined as paralysis. Body parts are moved by muscles, and muscles must receive nerve signals,

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Can we get a deadly infection from an aromatherapy bottle?

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On February 26, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 02272022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. microbiology – Burkholderia bacteria
  2. microbiology – bacterial movement by flagella
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – lysosomes can digest invaders, or self-digest a cell during autophagy cell death
  4. tissue chapter – cells of epithelial tissue line the lumen of respiratory and digestive systems
  5. immune system chapter – neutrophils and other white blood cells phagocytose invaders
  6. blood vessel chapter – septic shock suppresses blood pressure by causing vasodilation

The news item:  Recently the following news report appeared online:

Mysterious fatal infections tied to room spray sold at Walmart

Federal authorities warned Friday that a rare bacterial infection that killed two people has been tied to an aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart. A total of four people in four states were infected earlier this year by the rare tropical disease called melioidosis.

The article stated that four victims of melioidosis were identified in the US, that the disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, that the bacterium lives in soils in Southeast Asia, and that the pathogens were traced to aroma therapy spray bottles.

So, Why Do I Care??  Infectious pathogens are found in many locations, and they can cause deadly diseases. In addition to the well-know viruses and bacteria, there are exotic pathogens that cause rare, but just as deadly infections. Therefore, it is important to understand how those exotic pathogens act. Melioidosis has a 50% death rate, and even after antibiotic treatment the death rate remains 10%.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how this bacterium infects our body. The bacteria enter the body through inhaling or ingesting contaminated water. The bacterium then moves into the epithelial cells that line the lumen of the lower respiratory or the epithelial cells that line the lumen of digestive

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Can a virus test replace the traditional test for cervical cancer?

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On August 12, 2021

In cellular basis of life, microbiology, reproductive system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 08122021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis, cell cycle controls to limit cell division
  2. reproductive system chapter – anatomy of the female reproductive system
  3. tissues chapter – epithelium that lines the female reproductive system
  4. microbiology – human papilloma viruses

The news item:  Recently the following report about cervical cancer testing appeared:

Are Pap smears ‘obsolete’? There’s a better option for cervical cancer screening, American Cancer Society says

The American Cancer Society released new guidelines on cervical cancer screenings Thursday, recommending that people with a cervix start testing at age 25.

The article describes the debate whether the HPV test could replace the Pap smear test. The article states that despite the Pap smear testing, there are over 13,000 new cervical cancer cases per year, and there are over 4,000 deaths. The article also states that the HPV test is screening for human papilloma virus, and the Pap test is screening for cancerous cells.

So, Why Do I Care??  Cervical cancer is a deadly cancer, as the article stated from a yearly 13,000 new diagnoses there are over 4,000 deaths.  While vaccination has been available against cervical cancer, a better diagnostic method is still needed until everyone is vaccinated.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what cervical cancer is. The narrow, tube-shaped part of the uterus, the cervix, opens into the vagina. The cervix has a thin lining epithelium, and that cell layer is where cancerous

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How can an anti-wrinkle treatment help patients suffering from an overactive bladder?

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On December 26, 2020

In microbiology, muscular system, nervous system, urinary system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12262020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. muscular tissue chapter – neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction
  2. autonomic nervous system chapter –  parasympathetic division and its neurotransmitters
  3. urinary system chapter – role of detrusor muscle in emptying of the bladder
  4. microbiology – Clostridium botulinum and its toxin

The news item:  Recently an unusual report appeared about the anti-wrinkle treatment, Botox:

https://westnewsmagazine.com/2019/11/13/117802/beyond-wrinkles-botox-offers-effective-treatment-for-common-bladder-condition

The article states that people suffering from an overactive bladder may find help for their symptoms from twice-a-year Botox injection.

So, Why Do I Care??  There are about 50 million people in the US suffering from overactive bladder symptoms. While this affliction is not life threatening, everyday life, ability to hold down a job are disrupted by it. There are several medical interventions to help patients, so Botox is the latest to join the remedies.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about the mechanics of urination. For urination to happen the muscle (called detrusor) inside the wall of the urinary

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